{"id":12202,"date":"2023-10-26T06:33:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T13:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=12202"},"modified":"2025-10-20T08:55:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T15:55:49","slug":"the-science-behind-vegan-dog-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/the-science-behind-vegan-dog-food","title":{"rendered":"The Science Behind Vegan Dog Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Can dogs be vegan? Surprisingly, yes. When carefully prepared and inclusive of all of the essential nutrients domesticated dogs need, dogs can actually thrive on a vegan diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, meat-based diets are not a pet owner’s only option! But there are key hazards to be aware of if you\u2019re thinking of putting your omnivore dog on a veggie-only food plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most recently, the University of Illinois found<\/a> that human-grade, lightly cooked vegan diets provide suitable nutrition for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs long as they\u2019re consuming the essential nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios, dogs can be vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eaters,\u201d said Kelly Swanson<\/a>, U of I professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers compared two fresh plant-based dog foods against chicken-based kibble\/dry food. The dogs fed the vegan diet had positive improvements in their gut health overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another study<\/a>, Australian and British researchers found that \u201cnutritionally sound\u201d vegan diets are the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choice for dogs compared to raw meat diets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNutritionally sound\u201d vegan dog food is imperative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Veterinarians agree it is absolutely essential for your adult dog\u2019s health and wellness that if you switch them to a plant-based recipe, it must be complete and balanced<\/strong>. The right balance of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin A, among other nutritional requirements, must be met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a vegan or vegetarian diet, dog owners should work with an experienced veterinary nutritionist to develop a health plan that can meet AAFCO\u2019s (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards and their dog\u2019s individual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawbacks and Dangers of Vegan Dog Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there is some evidence to support a carefully formulated vegan diet for dogs, pet parents must proceed with caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Julie Churchill, a professor of veterinary nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, warns that plant-based diets cannot accommodate all life stages. Still-growing puppies and pregnant dogs, for example, have greater nutritional needs that vegan recipes cannot meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing to be aware of when it comes to vegan pet food is the risk of heart disease. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is still investigating<\/a> the link between non-soy legume-heavy (peas, lentils, etc.) dog diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is the most common cause of heart failure in dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trusted Vegan Dog Food Brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You can find nutritionally sound vegetarian dog food right here! Our Tofu & Quinoa vegan dog food<\/a> recipe is made with 100% fresh, whole-food plant-based ingredients, including superfoods like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n