Compare Dry Vegan Dog Food Brands in the UK
Understanding the differences between the best vegan dog food brands is important for dog families.
When deciding on which vegan dog food is best for your dog, it is as much about what each food does not include in its recipe, as what it does.
There is an increasing interest in feeding our dogs a vegan diet, whether for health, environmental or animal welfare reasons.
A growing body of scientific studies on vegan dog food point to the positive impact on our dog’s health, wellbeing and longevity. Many vets, canine nutritionists and scientific researchers now support a vegan diet for dogs.
With an ever increasing number of vegan dog food brands available, which is the healthiest and best value for money can be confusing for pet families.
There are a number of considerations we take into account, and questions we ask ourselves as pet carers, when deciding on the best food for our dogs, and this is as important when deciding on the best vegan dog food.
Quality of Nutrition:
- Is the food complete and balanced?
- Are there ingredients I don’t want in my dog’s food?
- What ingredients would I like to have included in my dog’s food?
- Does the food only provide the basic nutrients my dog needs to survive?
- What can I feed my dog to elevate their nutrition beyond simple survival?
- Does the cooking process make a difference to nutrient quality and integrity?
Health Support:
- Are there specific health issues my dog’s food needs to address?
- Are there areas of my dog’s health their food should provide preventative, or curative, support for? Joints and mobility? Digestive and gut health? Skin and coat? Mood and anxiety? Dental? Eyesight? Cognitive? Immune health?
- Should I add supplements to their daily diet to provide preventative support for these aspects of their health?
- Should I give them functional treats to support specific areas of their health?
- Does a hypoallergenic diet matter?
- Should my dog’s food be anti-inflammatory?
- Should their food be antioxidative?
- Will the food give my dog the best chance at their longest, healthiest life?
Environmental Impact:
- What is the environmental impact of the ingredients in my dog’s food? Does it matter?
- What is the brand’s contribution to the environmental causes?
- Does the brand calculate its food’s carbon footprint?
- Is the brand working to reduce its environmental footprint?
- Does the brand belong to any groups working towards social and environmental performance and transparency?
Cost:
- What do I expect, and value most, from their food?
- How much can I afford for my dog’s food?
- Am I prepared to compromise on the quality of their food?
- Can I afford to add supplements or treats to improve their nutrition beyond basic survival?
Deciding the best vegan food for our dogs is far more complex than one might expect.
Our aim in this article is to explore the differences between the most popular dry vegan and vegetarian dog foods with a simple motivation: helping owners make a considered decision on what the best nutrition for their dogs is, by providing what we hope is a helpful and accurate comparison of the composition of these vegan dog foods.
The brands of UK vegan and vegetarian dog food we explore are Bonza, Omni, Benevo, Solo Vegetal, Green Crunch, Greta, Noochy Poochy, V-dog, and Yarrah Vega.
While all are plant-based, vegan and vegetarian dog foods, there are differences. The following is intended to provide those interested in their dog’s nutrition, an insight into the differences between each of these dog foods so that you can compare them quickly and easily.
Understanding Vegan Dog Food Labels
Methionine for Dogs:
Methionine is one of the 10-plus essential amino acids that dogs must get from their food. It is usually the first or second limiting amino acid in a dog’s diet, particularly when feeding a vegan diet. It plays a vital role in their health – for skin and coat condition, eye health, heart health and more. It is also an initiator of protein synthesis.
It serves as a precursor to other amino acids like cysteine which can then be converted into taurine. Methionine can also be converted into glutathione, an important physiological antioxidant.
Taurine for Dogs:
Taurine is an amino acid and nutritional supplement that is used to treat taurine-deficiency diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease. It is also effective in preventing retinal degeneration, a disease of the eye.
Although taurine-deficiency occurs primarily in cats, it may also occur in Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Dalmatians, Portuguese Water Dogs, and English Bulldogs. Taurine may also be effective for the prevention of general heart disease.
L-Carnitine for Dogs:
L-Carnitine, is a vitamin-like compound made in the body from amino acids. It’s found naturally only in animal-based protein sources. L-Carnitine is a vital nutrient that has many important functions in your dog’s body. A deficiency in this nutrient can result in a host of health problems, including muscle pain, lethargy, and most notably, heart disease. Recent scientific studies show that L-Carnitine can help reduce weight in overweight dogs.
Chelated Zinc for Dogs:
Chelated forms of minerals, including Zinc, basically remove the inefficiency of digestible bioavailability to ensure your dog is able to absorb and use the trace minerals that are ingested. Zinc is important for immune system function and thyroid function. Zinc deficiency can result in many problems for dogs, including: Lack of protection from infection, abnormal iodine metabolism, interference with normal cell developments including wound healing, and replacement of intestinal lining cells, skin cells, hair, and nails and interference with normal sexual function.
Vitamin D3 for Dogs:
Unlike humans, our dogs have lost the ability to make vitamin D in the skin when exposed to the sun, and thus must rely on dietary sources to receive the vitamin D their bodies need.
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for dogs, which means it must be part of their diet in order for your dog to maintain optimal health. Muscles and nerves require vitamin D for proper function because it helps regulate calcium and phosphorus absorption.
Vitamin D’s role in calcium absorption is also essential to the health of the dog’s bones. The most important muscle in the body is the heart and insufficient Vitamin D levels can lead to congestive heart failure. New research is also showing that low levels of Vitamin D are linked to an increased risk of cancer.
There are 2 different forms of Vitamin D – D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is derived from plants and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from lanolin in sheep’s wool or algae. While the USA permit Vitamin D2 to be used in dog food the EU ruled in 2017 that it would no longer be permitted for inclusion after June 2019 and that Vitamin D3 must be used.
Wheat, Corn, Soy and Rice for Dogs:
Not all crops are created equal.
Many pet families choose to feed our dogs vegan or vegetarian food to do our bit for the environment and the future health of our Planet by reducing the environmental impact of feeding them. Unfortunately, many commonly used plant-based ingredients used are detrimental to the Planet and environment, although they are less damaging than animal ingredients.
Rice is the 2nd largest emitter of Methane after cows and sheep, a greenhouse gas 2500% more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere and responsible for 20% of total global emissions.
As monocrops, corn, wheat and soy are responsible for large swathes of deforestation, a reduction in soil quality, huge levels of scarce water usage through irrigation, harmful fertiliser use that increases the chances of runoffs that damage water ecosystems, and pollute waterways and reduced biodiversity.
Corn, wheat and soy – are also in the top 10 allergens for dogs and can be inflammatory, causing digestive upset and skin issues.
Unlike the 4 ‘major’ crops – corn, wheat, soy and rice – legumes (peas, fava beans, chickpeas, lentils, beans and peanuts) – are considered ‘climate smart’ crops because of their ability to improve soil nutrients, sequester carbon, fix nitrogen, improve yields of follow on crops and improve biodiversity.
Other ingredients like oats act as ground cover to reduce weeds and the need for harmful herbicides. Sweet potato and potato have some of the lowest carbon footprints of all ingredients.
Seaweed is known as an important carbon sink, facilitating carbon sequestration and storage.
Prebiotics for Dogs
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as food for the beneficial bacteria in your dog’s gut. Unlike probiotics, which introduce live beneficial bacteria into the gastrointestinal tract, prebiotics help nourish and stimulate the growth of these good bacteria, promoting a healthy gut environment. This symbiotic relationship between prebiotics and probiotics is crucial for maintaining a balanced microbiome and supporting overall health in dogs.
Prebiotics are particularly effective in supporting digestive health, enhancing the immune system, and even contributing to mental and emotional well-being through their role in the gut-brain axis. This axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, is influenced by the health of the gut microbiome. By fostering a robust population of beneficial bacteria, prebiotics help maintain this communication and contribute to the regulation of mood and behaviour in dogs.
Inulin
Inulin is a widely used prebiotic in dog nutrition. Derived from plants such as chicory root, inulin is a soluble fibre that reaches the colon without being digested in the small intestine. Once in the colon, it serves as a food source for beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. The fermentation of inulin by these bacteria not only supports their growth but also produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have anti-inflammatory properties and help maintain a healthy gut lining.
Inulin has been shown to improve stool quality by increasing water retention in the colon, leading to softer stools. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs suffering from constipation or irregular bowel movements. Additionally, a well-nourished microbiome can enhance the absorption of essential nutrients, further contributing to overall health.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are another important group of prebiotics commonly found in dog food. FOS are short chains of fructose molecules that resist digestion in the small intestine and reach the colon intact. There, they are fermented by beneficial bacteria, promoting their growth and activity.
The fermentation of FOS leads to the production of SCFAs, which play a crucial role in maintaining colon health by lowering the pH of the gut environment. This acidic environment inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria while supporting the integrity of the gut lining. FOS also helps to improve digestive health, boost immune function, and reduce the odour of stools by suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS)
Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) are prebiotics derived from the cell walls of yeast, specifically Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unlike other prebiotics that serve as food for beneficial bacteria, MOS works by preventing harmful bacteria from attaching to the gut lining. This action helps protect the gut from infections and allows beneficial bacteria to thrive.
MOS has been shown to enhance the immune response in dogs by increasing the production of immunoglobulins, which are antibodies that help defend against infections. By supporting a healthy gut environment and preventing the colonisation of harmful bacteria, MOS contributes to improved digestive health, stronger immunity, and better overall well-being in dogs.
Probiotics for Dogs:
Probiotics are known to boost the healthy gut bacteria that help your dog to digest their food. They are a well-understood therapy for diarrhoea, gastrointestinal upset and other digestive orders. More recently, they’ve been found to counter urinary tract infections, immune system disorders and even anxiety.
The microbiome and the gut – brain axis is one of the most exciting new understandings about probiotics. Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and brain, like your own, are in constant dialogue, and proper microorganisms in the intestines can help with mental and emotional regulation.
The combination of probiotics and prebiotics, known as synbiotics, is at the forefront of research into both animal and human clinical nutrition and their significant impact on health. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Postbiotics for Dogs
Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by probiotics as they ferment prebiotics in the gut. These include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), enzymes, peptides, and vitamins, which have been shown to support gut health, enhance immune function, and reduce inflammation. Postbiotics represent a significant advancement in gut health technology, providing stable, non-living compounds that interact directly with gut cells to reinforce the gut barrier and promote a balanced microbiome.
TruPet™ is an innovative postbiotic supplement designed specifically for dogs. Unlike traditional probiotics that need to survive the harsh conditions of the digestive tract to be effective, TruPet™ postbiotic is stable and remains active regardless of the environment within the gut. This stability ensures consistent support for your dog’s digestive health, immune system, and overall vitality.
TruPet™ is produced using a sophisticated fermentation process where beneficial bacteria are cultured to produce a range of bioactive compounds. These compounds are then extracted, stabilised, and formulated into an easy-to-administer supplement. TruPet™ works naturally with your dog’s biology, helping to balance the gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing the overgrowth of harmful ones.
The benefits of TruPet™ postbiotic include supporting a healthy gut by maintaining a strong gut barrier, enhancing immune responses to keep your dog resilient against infections, and promoting digestive health by improving nutrient absorption and reducing gut inflammation. TruPet™ is made from 100% natural ingredients, making it a safe option for regular use without the risk of side effects.
Incorporating TruPet™ into your dog’s diet can lead to better digestion, enhanced vitality, and overall well-being, giving your pet the best chance for a long, healthy life.
For more information, you can read the full article on TruPet™
Omega 3 and DHA for Dogs:
Omega-3 fatty acids play a vitally important role for both you and your dog’s health.
Of all omega-3s, of which there are 11 types, the 3 most important are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Unfortunately, ALA, which is the most abundant Omega-3 fatty acid found in foods (flax, linseed, rapeseed etc) is inefficiently converted to DHA and EPA. Estimates for conversion rates are that just 1–10% of ALA is converted into EPA and 0.5–5% into DHA (1, 2, 3, 4)
Recent research suggests that preformed marine EPA and DHA sources (from fatty fish and seaweed and algae) are needed in dog feeds, as the dietary requirements proposed by feed industry organisations are not met with conversion from short-chain n-3 fatty acids such as ALA (16)
Of the three fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most important omega-3 in your and your dog’s bodies.
Omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA in particular, are increasingly understood by vets, canine nutritionists and animal scientists to play a vital role in your dog’s health throughout their lives as much as we now know it plays in our own long-term health and wellbeing.
While not considered ‘essential’ it is our belief that Omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA in particular, should be, for all the preventative and curative health benefits they provide our dogs.
Omega 6 : Omega 3 Balance:
Whilst Omega-3 acid is anti-inflammatory, Omega-6 is pro-inflammatory.
Although Omega-6 plays a key role in the immune system, over consumption increases the risk of inflammation which increases the risk of chronic disease (2)
Ingredients with high levels of Omega 6 include sunflower, soy, hemp and corn.
Balanced consumption of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats is crucial to optimising the benefits each offers.
Early human diets resulted in an Omega-6: Omega-3 balance of somewhere close to 1:1. The modern Western diet has skewed the balance somewhere nearer 17:1, a balance considered to be inflammatory and responsible for the significant increase in obesity, chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancers (5, 6, 7, 9)
Scientists believe the optimum balance, for you and your dog’s health, is between 1:1 and 4:1 (8, 9)
Chelated Minerals (Iron and Copper):
Minerals are an essential class of nutrients that must be included in a healthy, balanced diet. They are crucial for the proper development and function of your dog’s body. Specific minerals must also be present in a dog food in the right amounts to provide optimal health.
Chelates (or chelated minerals) are organic forms of essential trace minerals such as Copper, Iron, Manganese, Calcium and Zinc which in their non-chelated form are inorganic.
Dogs absorb, digest and utilise mineral chelates better than inorganic minerals. This means that lower concentrations can be used in their food (1). Mineral chelates offer health and welfare benefits in pet nutrition. In addition, dogs fed chelated sources of essential trace minerals excrete lower amounts in their faeces, so there is less environmental contamination.
Choline for Dogs:
For dogs, dietary choline is required, if the body cannot meet the demand from the synthesis of methionine, which is often the case with high-fat diets. Choline is one of those multipotent nutrients that allows other metabolic pathways to express their full potential. Although limited animal studies have been conducted, there is evidence that choline may have beneficial effects in neurological conditions by supporting the cell structure and the production of neurotransmitters.
Additionally, choline has a significant role in lipid metabolism, and it has been researched for its effect on increasing fatty acid oxidation and efficient fat utilisation.
Glucosamine for Dogs:
Glucosamine helps to stimulate cartilage growth and thicken synovial fluid, improving mechanical joint function and slowing the progression of arthritis – meaning less stiffness and discomfort for your dog as they age.
Scientists at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, conducted a review of 16 clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs. They reported their results in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and found that preparations containing glucosamine provided a “moderate level” of comfort, and were on a par with some prescription drugs used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)for Dogs:
MSM is a naturally occurring supplement used primarily as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for conditions such as arthritis and some cancers. MSM detoxes the body on a cellular level, by flushing waste out of cells. It also can dissolve harmful toxins floating around inside your dog’s body. Once the bad elements are out of the cells, fresh nutrients can enter in their place. This leads to less disease and better function of the body.
MSM is widely used in the alternative medicine field by people looking for a natural way to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation and boost immunity.
In addition, research supports its use in treating a variety of health conditions from arthritis to rosacea.
Herbs and Botanicals for Dogs:
Today, many practitioners of “conventional” medicine do not hesitate to recommend herbs, herbal products, or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy to their patients for the effective treatment of certain diseases. [4, 5]
The benefits of herbs for your dog include their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, digestive support, joint and mobility support, immune health and cognitive improvement.
Herbs and botanicals contain powerful phytonutrients which provide a host of benefits, both preventative and curative, for your dog throughout their lives.
Adaptogens for Dogs:
Adaptogens are herbs, roots and other plant substances (like mushrooms) that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance. Adaptogens work at a molecular level by regulating a stable balance in the important hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands.
Our dog’s bodies are regularly exposed to physical and toxic stress just as we are – from household chemicals, pesticides in our foods, pollutants in the air, intensively farmed meats and general anxiety to name but a few.
Adaptogens support a reduction in the effects of these stressors for your dog.
Broadly, an adaptogen must have the four ‘N’s:
- Nourishing – bring nutritive strength
- Normalising – raise what is low and lower what is high (e.g. energy, stress)
- Non-specific – act on multiple parts of the body at the same time
- Non-toxic – be completely safe when used over extended periods of time
Of the 1000’s of plants, herbs, botanicals and fungi on the planet only 22 are classified as adaptogens.
Cold Extrusion Dog Food:
Approximately 95% of all dry dog food, kibble and biscuits, are processed using what is called a ‘high temperature short time’ (HTST) extrusion method. This process heats the ingredients to temperatures of between 110ºC to 150ºC for between 60-270 seconds. Although little research has been undertaken on pet food, what has been done shows high temperature processing to be the most impactful on your dog’s food’s nutrient integrity (1, 2).
High heat processing impacts non-heat stable vitamins, particularly the B group vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E (4). While minerals are less affected by heat it can affect bioavailability, meaning that your dog may not be receiving as much of the mineral as they should be for their optimum nutrition and health (6).
Essential fatty acids, including the very important, and healthful, Omega 3, have been shown to be negatively affected by increased processing temperatures (7).
Probiotics, which are known to improve your dog’s gut health and microbiome, are also shown to be highly heat sensitive and their efficacy in optimising your dog’s gut, and overall health, is greatly degraded by high temperature processing (8).
Finally, protein, which is the very foundation of your diet and your dog’s is also affected by the processing temperature.
Increasing heat denatures protein and also results in the triggering of a chemical process, the Maillard reaction – the browning process of meat and other foods caused by heat. This leads to the formation of numerous toxic compounds including acrylamide and advanced glycation end products (AGE’s), both of which have been linked to a multitude of different disease states – including cancer, in people and dogs.
Using a cold extrusion process, where the food is produced at temperatures of 70 °C or less, helps to preserve the vital nutrients in your dog’s food and reducing potentially harmful AGE’s.
Personalised Meal Plan and Delivery:
When you subscribe to a vegan dog food, your delivery schedule is estimated by you based on a broad estimate of how much food your dog should be eating each day and then selecting weekly, fortnightly or monthly deliveries.
When you get a personalised meal plan, you answer a variety of questions about your dog – breed, weight, age, sex and intactness, activity level and about any health issues they may have.
These factors impact the exact amount of calories your dog should be eating each day to maintain peak health and wellness. You are provided with an exact daily feeding amount which also allows the scheduling for your next delivery of food to arrive 2 days before you run out. Never too much. Never run out. No more stress or emergency dashes for dog food. And you control it all with a click of a button in your dashboard.
Free Veterinary Consultation for Your Dog 24/7:
Get access to FREE digital veterinary support, 7 days a week through leading UK vet service VidiVet.
Whether you have a quick question about your dog or need an online video consultation, get expert advice from real vets.
🐶 Receive personalised care direct to your phone from UK-registered vets
🐶 Send as many texts, videos or audio messages for your peace of mind
🐶 Save money by avoiding unnecessary clinic visits and out of hour fees
Peace of mind 24/7, 365 days a year.
1% for the Planet:
Because the environment and restoring the health of the Planet is a primary driver for many vegan dog feeders, we chose to become members of 1% for the Planet. Our selected beneficiary of 1% of our total revenue is Trees for the Future, whose Forest Garden approach works with farmers in Africa, planting trees, fruit and vegetables, helping to restore degraded land, providing their families with food security, and incomes to help their family’s futures. For every box of Bonza delivered we contribute £0.67 to Trees for the Future enabling the famers to plant at least 3 trees to their Forest Gardens.
Rainforest Trust:
To help restore our planet, we also work with One Tribe and Rainforest Trust to preserve the lungs of the Planet, the precious rainforests. For every vegan dog food subscription delivery we make to you we preserve 20 rainforest trees, storing almost 10 tonnes of carbon and sequestering a further 0.4 tonnes annually.
B Corp:
We leave it to Madeleine Albright Former Secretary of State to describe the ‘why’ of our B Corp membership.
“I often wonder to what extent business can help society in its goals and alleviate poverty, preserve ecosystems, and build strong communities and institutions… B Lab has proven that there is a way.
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Cost Comparison of Vegan Dog Foods:
A growing body of scientific research and vegan dog food studies point to the benefits, for your dog and the environment, of either adding more plant-based food to their diet or, better still, going entirely plant-based.
There are many considerations when selecting the best vegan food for your dog.
Whilst on the face of it some of the vegan dog foods compared appear to be slightly cheaper than others (in truth less than half a cup of Starbucks a day!), are there sacrifices to your dog’s optimum nutrition and health?
The majority of functional dog treats and supplements for joint support, digestive support, skin and coat condition and anxiety and calming sold in the market use the same ingredients that are omitted by the other vegan dog food brands compared here, but are included in Bonza.
These supplements and treats cost between £20 and £45 per kilogram. Adding the cost of these to your dog’s daily food makes providing them with the best nutrition and preventative health support, expensive.
You shouldn’t have to supplement their food with these treats when they can enjoy all the support and preventative benefits with every meal from a complete, and balanced, dog food that includes the nutraceutical herbs, botanicals and Omega-3’s as part of their food and daily diet.
Elevate your dog’s food beyond simple nutrition.
