Comprehensive Nutrition from Plant-Based Diets for Dogs
An extensive collection of academic research delving into the nutritional foundations, biological underpinnings, and health implications of plant-based diets in canine nutrition.
Can plant-based canine diets provide complete nutrition?
Dogs require a specific balance of over 35 vital nutrients rather than certain ingredients. These essential nutrients, encompassing proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, must be obtained through their diet. While some nutrients are produced endogenously, meaning within the dog’s own body, it is the essential nutrients that cannot be synthesised internally that are critical.
Nutritional guidelines set by U.S. (AAFCO) and European (FEDIAF) regulatory bodies define the necessary nutrient profiles, stipulating the minimum and sometimes maximum levels of each essential nutrient. Dog foods labelled as “complete and balanced” for specific life stages must adhere to these nutritional requirements. These guidelines allow for varied macronutrient compositions, accommodating diverse diets from high-protein, low-carb to meat-free, high-fibre options. Ingredient choices, such as excluding animal products or grains, necessitate careful balancing to ensure all essential nutrients are adequately supplied.
Key nutrients, including vitamin B12 and the amino acid taurine, are minimally present or absent in plant-based ingredients. Nonetheless, all essential nutrients have plant-based or synthetic alternatives. For instance, vitamin B12, typically synthesised by gut bacteria and reliant on cobalt intake from soil, is supplemented in livestock feed, as intensively farmed meat lacks natural synthesis routes.
Professional pet food formulators meticulously design diets to cover all nutritional needs, verified through comprehensive laboratory analyses. Plant-based canine diets have been scientifically confirmed to fulfil all essential nutritional requirements.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Dodd SAS, Adolphe JL, Verbrugghe A. Plant-based diets for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2018 Read
- Sarah A S Dodd , Anna K Shoveller, Andrea J Fascetti Zengshou Z Yu , David W L Ma , Adronie Verbrugghe A Comparison of Key Essential Nutrients in Commercial Plant-Based Pet Foods Sold in Canada to American and European Canine and Feline Dietary Recommendations Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 9;11(8):2348. Read
“Biological Appropriateness” of Plant-Based Canine Diets
Understanding the nutritional effects and appropriateness of different diets involves examining dogs’ digestive response and physiology. Enzymes and gut bacteria play a crucial role in nutrient breakdown and absorption. Digestibility, or the efficiency of nutrient absorption, is a key factor in food formulation. Over-provisioning of certain nutrients like protein is often necessary due to partial digestibility. However, high digestibility is not always desirable; for instance, dietary fibre, while less digestible, offers numerous health benefits.
Canines have undergone evolutionary and genetic changes, particularly in their ability to digest carbohydrates and starches. These adaptations coincided with the advent of large-scale cereal cultivation by humans around 3,000-5,000 years ago. This genetic shift is a primary distinction between domestic dogs and their wolf ancestors.
Historical and archaeological records indicate that dogs have consumed plant-rich diets for millennia, often mirroring the diets of their human companions. Even wolves have been observed to consume a substantial amount of plants and human-provided food. Despite belonging to the Carnivora order, dogs are not obligate carnivores and have shown omnivorous tendencies, much like other members of the order such as raccoons and pandas.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Erik Axelsson, Abhirami Ratnakumar, Maja-Louise Arendt, Khurram Maqbool, Matthew T. Webster, Michele Perloski, Olof Liberg, Jon M. Arnemo, Åke Hedhammar & Kerstin Lindblad-Toh The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet Nature 495, 360–364 (2013). Read
- Leah J Roberts, Patricia M Oba, Pamela L Utterback, Carl M Parsons, Kelly S Swanson Amino acid digestibility and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy of mildly cooked human-grade vegan dog foods using the precision-fed cecectomized and conventional rooster assays Translational Animal Science, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2023, txad020, Read
- Silvia Albizuri, Aurora Grandal dʼAnglade, Julià Maroto, Mònica Oliva, Alba Rodríguez, Noemí Terrats, Antoni Palomo, F. Javier López Cachero Dogs that Ate Plants: Changes in the Canine Diet During the Late Bronze Age and the First Iron Age in the Northeast Iberian Peninsula Journal World Prehistory, March, 2021. Read
- Bhadra A and Bhadra A Preference for meat is not innate in dogs Journal of Ethology 2014; 32:15-22. Read
- Lauren M Reilly, Patrick C von Schaumburg, Jolene M Hoke, Gary M Davenport, Pamela L Utterback, Carl M Parsons, Maria R C de Godoy Macronutrient composition, true metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility, and indispensable amino acid scoring of pulse ingredients for use in canine and feline diets ournal of Animal Science, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020, skaa149, Read
- Silvia Albizuri, Aurora Grandal dʼAnglade, Julià Maroto, Mònica Oliva, Alba Rodríguez, Noemí Terrats, Antoni Palomo, F. Javier López Cachero Dogs that Ate Plants: Changes in the Canine Diet During the Late Bronze Age and the First Iron Age in the Northeast Iberian Peninsula Journal World Prehistory, March, 2021. Read
Optimal Health on Plant-Based Canine Diets
Comprehensive studies, including clinical, experimental, and epidemiological research, demonstrate that a well-formulated plant-based diet meeting AAFCO standards can provide equal or superior health outcomes for dogs compared to meat-based diets.
Reviews of existing research indicate minimal adverse effects on dogs and cats on vegan diets, with some studies suggesting potential health benefits. Dog owners have reported improved health outcomes and longer lifespans for dogs on plant-based diets. Studies involving over thousands of dogs indicate fewer health issues and veterinary visits for those on plant-based diets compared to traditional or raw meat diets. While such owner-reported data may have biases, it remains a valuable source in veterinary epidemiology.
Controlled experiments also support the healthfulness of plant-based diets for dogs. Long-term studies monitoring dogs’ health on plant-based diets have shown maintenance of health over extended periods. Trials involving physically active dogs, such as sled racers, revealed no significant health differences between plant-based and meat-inclusive diets.
Additionally, research has shown improvements in the gut microbiome and reductions in markers of inflammation and kidney disease risk in dogs on plant-based diets. These findings align with human studies on the benefits of plant-based nutrition.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Domínguez-Oliva, A.; Mota-Rojas, D.; Semendric, I.; Whittaker, A.L. The Impact of Vegan Diets on Indicators of Health in Dogs and Cats: A Systematic Review Vet. Sci. 2023, 10, 52. Read
- Dodd, Sarah & Khosa, Deep & Dewey, Cate & Verbrugghe, Adronie Owner perception of health of North American dogs fed meat- or plant-based diets (2022). Research in Veterinary Science. 149. Read
- Knight A, Huang E, Rai N, Brown H Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health (2022) PLOS ONE 17(4): e0265662. Read
- Annika Linde, Maureen Lahiff, Adam Krantz, Nathan Sharp, Theros T. Ng, Tonatiuh Melgarejo Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year bioRxiv 2023.02.18.525405; Read
- Brown, W., Vanselow, B., Redman, A., & Pluske, J. An experimental meat-free diet maintained haematological characteristics in sprint-racing sled dogs (2009). British Journal of Nutrition, 102(9), 1318-1323. Read
- Cavanaugh SM, Cavanaugh RP, Gilbert GE, Leavitt EL, Ketzis JK, et al. Short-term amino acid, clinicopathologic, and echocardiographic findings in healthy dogs fed a commercial plant-based diet (2021) PLOS ONE 16(10): e0258044. Read
- Dodd, S., Adolphe, J., Dewey, C., Khosa, D., Abood, S., & Verbrugghe, A Efficacy of vitamin D2 in maintaining serum total vitamin D concentrations and bone mineralisation in adult dogs fed a plant-based (vegan) diet in a 3-month randomised trial (2023). British Journal of Nutrition, 1-15. Read
- Kiemer, L Vegan diet and its effects on the dog’s health (2020). Lithuanian University of Health Sciences: Kaunas, Lithuania. Read
- Bresciani F, Minamoto Y, Suchodolski JS, Galiazzo G, Vecchiato CG, Pinna C, Biagi G, Pietra M Effect of an extruded animal protein-free diet on fecal microbiota of dogs with food-responsive enteropathy J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Nov;32(6):1903-1910. Read
As outlined above there is an increasing amount of research by veterinarians, canine nutritionists and scientists of not just the nutritional appropriateness of vegan dog food but also the many health-giving benefits plant-based food offers our dogs.
Following are the views of a number of highly qualified and well-respected veterinary professionals whose views on the appropriateness, and benefits, of plant-based food for dogs are supported by the clinical findings outlined above.
Dr. Sarah Dodd BVSc, MSc, PhD, DECVCN Board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist
‘…there are a lot of dogs that have dietary hypersensitivities and allergies to those common protein sources that are used so ubiquitously within the pet food industry’ (1)
‘..therapeutic diets that are entirely plant-based and they’re used particularly for dietary hypersensitivities or we’ll use them if we have hyperlipidaemia or they can be really great for animals with liver compromise as well because they have a nicer gentler amino acid profile’
‘… there are some instances where we actually, for therapeutic reasons, want the animal to be on a plant-based diet’
Dr. Clare Knottenbelt BVSc University of Bristol, MSc University of Edinburgh RCVS Veterinary Oncologist
“We know that plant-based food contains a lot more antioxidants. So that’s a good thing because that’s going to help convert these cells to, to more normal, healthy cells”
“And we know that a plant-based diet can help dogs live longer and stay generally more healthy. And we have published evidence to support that.” (2)
“So therefore, yes, plant-based feeding could stop cancer in dogs.”
Dr. Greg Aldrich, PhD – Nutrition Sciences Research Associate Professor at Kansas State University
‘It IS possible to produce balanced vegetarian/vegan dog diets’ (3)
‘…. they can be nutritionally complete and balanced with a bit of diligence’
Dr. Guy Sandelowsky BSc. BVet Med Sci. BVM BVS MRCVS
“It’s well known in humans to watch the amount of processed meat we eat as it can negatively affect our health with problems like obesity and cancer, but for our four-legged friends we often don’t do the same.”
“Lots of dog parents who have switched their dogs to a plant-based diet tell me that they see huge improvements in their dogs’ health and wellbeing. They remark on increased energy levels, shinier coats and better stools.”
“Even if you don’t feel ready to go fully plant-based yet, maybe try going flexitarian and switching out a meat-based meal a day for a plant-based one, every little bit helps.”
Dr. Kelly Swanson, Professor of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois
‘Although dogs and cats have unique metabolic and nutrient requirements (e.g., protein, arginine, taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, niacin), these targets may be reached with a wide variety of ingredient sources’
‘Dogs have nutrient requirements, not ingredient requirements.’
Dr. Lorelei Wakefield VMD, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
“All dogs can benefit from a vegan diet. Thanks to ten thousand years of evolution alongside humankind, dogs are now physiologically omnivores. This means they can thrive on a nutritionally balanced plant-based food”
Dr. Richard Pitcairn DVM, Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
“I am an advocate for emphasizing a plant-based diet for dogs and cats for reasons of health, ethics and resource concern. Many of the chronic health problems in both dogs and cats are effects of eating other animals which have accumulated many environmental toxins, or that have been given drugs or other substances.”
Dr. Andrew Knight BSc (Vet Biol), BVMS, CertAW, MANZCVS, DipWCAWBM (AWSEL), DACAW, PhD, MRCVS, SFHEA
“Both cats and dogs may thrive on vegetarian and vegan diets, but these must be nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced.” (4)
Prof Andrew Knight and colleagues (Huang E, Rai N, Brown H) published a ground-breaking research paper on the 13th April 2022 that stated from the findings of 2639 dogs, that “the pooled evidence to date indicates that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, are nutritionally sound vegan diets.”
Dr. Debra Voulgaris DVM, MA, CVA, CCRP, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine & Louisiana State
“As an ethical veterinarian, I have a responsibility to recommend foods for my patients that are balanced and healthy. As an ethical vegan, I have a responsibility to promote compassion to all animals, not just my patients.”
Dr. Marybeth Minter DVM, Colorado State University. Mariposa Veterinary Service, Kanab, UT
“After seeing the livestock industry in action, and coming from a place of compassion, health and environmental concern, I am an advocate of feeding a plant-based diet for dogs and cats. Many of my patients have attained improved health with a plant-based diet alone.”
Dr. Jena Questen DVM, CertAqV, Aspen Park Vet Hospital
“Why do I support a vegan diet for dogs? Because the science is clear: 1) Humans and dogs are both omnivores, 2) A plant-based diet is the best diet for health and longevity for humans, and 3) I want my animals to live as long, and healthy, as possible, therefore a plant based diet is what I feed and recommend, with tremendous results!”
Adronie Verbrugghe – DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
‘Dogs and cats have dietary requirements for energy and essential nutrients, but they do not have requirements for specific ingredients, no matter if these ingredients are animal-derived, plant-derived or synthetic.’
Dr. Cailin R. Heinze, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Nutrition) Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
“As a veterinary nutritionist, I use meat-free diets quite a bit to help manage various health concerns.” (5)
Dr Joanna Woodnutt BVM BVS BVMedSci MRCVS University of Nottingham
‘Vegan dog food is fairly new in the world of dog food nutrition, and many vets and pet owners are still a little cautious about feeding it, especially with dogs sitting right on the line between carnivore and omnivore. However, there are some great vegan diets out there that are complete and balanced and might be worth a try.’
Dr. Jennifer Coates BSc McGill University, DVM Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Can Dogs Stay Healthy On A Vegetarian Diet?
‘The answer is yes — dogs can eat a vegetarian diet and thrive.’
‘It is true that dogs belong to the order Carnivora, but they are actually omnivores. The canine body has the ability to transform certain amino acids, the building blocks or protein, into others, meaning that dogs can get all the amino acids they need while avoiding meat.’
‘Thankfully, dogs are very good at converting some types of amino acids into others. When used in the right combination, ingredients like beans, soybeans, sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, rice, and whole grains can supply dogs with all their essential amino acids.’
‘The only issue I’ve seen with dogs being switched to a vegetarian food is one of acceptance. It seems to me that dogs who are used to eating diets that contain meat go through a “where’s the beef, chicken … etc.?” stage. Overcoming this is easy if you simply mix increasing amounts of the new food in with decreasing amounts of the old and make the change slowly.
So, if feeding meat to your dog presents an ethical quandary for you, options are available.’
Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVN®, Head of Nutrition Department Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital
“I don’t have a problem with transitioning their healthy, adult dog onto a vegan or vegetarian diet as long as it is balanced for their life stage and balanced for a healthy adult. At the end of the day, if we’re meeting all of the individual animal’s needs, then we have a lot of flexibility in what we can feed them.”
“For dogs with things like pancreatitis or high triglyceride levels, they may do better on a moderate fat vegan or vegetarian diet.”
Dr. Joseph W. Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVN Professor of Medicine and Nutrition University of Georgia
A vegan diet may be a good option for your dog if she needs to avoid animal proteins.
“For example, with kidney disease, urate bladder stones and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”
Bonza Plant Based Food for Dogs
Bonza is a 100% plant-based dog food suitable for all adult dogs. It has been scientifically formulated by veterinarians and canine nutritionists to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog.
Bonza is packed with phytonutrients that provide your dog with the powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidative health benefits only plants offer.
Elevate Your Dog’s Food Beyond Simple Nutrition.
