Healthy plant-based diets for dogs will become more common as pet parents explore environmentally friendly options, and studies demonstrate the health and viability of these diets.
Interest in plant-based diets for dogs has been increasing in popularity. But until recently, there wasn’t enough evidence demonstrating the safety for canine companions. However, new studies examining plant-based canine diets have shown they can be healthy for dogs when formulated properly. Moreover, these diets are better for the environment, appealing to younger, modern pet parents concerned about their dog’s carbon pawprints. Now that well-balanced and complete plant-based foods are proven healthy and effective—and nutritionally complete commercial products are becoming available—more pet parents will start exploring these diets for their dogs.
Dogs Thrive on a Plant-Based Diet for a Year
Recently, a group of researchers followed a group of 15 adult canine subjects as they ate a commercially formulated plant-based diet for one year. The study aimed to determine whether the subjects could maintain health over the 12 months. After the study, the longest and most comprehensive of its kind, the researchers used physical exams, client-reported observations, blood count and blood chemistry, plasma amino acids, serum vitamins, and cardiac biomarkers to assess the dogs’ health. They concluded that all 15 dogs maintained positive health outcomes on the plant-based diet.
Plant-Based Diets Support Digestion and Gut Health
Another recent study examined a more specific criterion regarding the health of commercial vegan dog foods: digestibility. Published in the Journal of Animal Science, the study concluded that mildly cooked human-grade plant-based dog foods, compared to a leading meat-based pet food, had better digestibility and higher fat absorption. Further, the dogs on the plant-based food demonstrated:
- Better blood analysis
- Lower circulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Lower fecal dry matter percentages
- Lower fecal phenol and indole concentrations
- Higher fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations
The results of this study show that dogs on a plant-based diet can benefit from improved gut health, beneficial changes to the gut microbiome, and weight maintenance or loss.
Pet Parents Report Better Health Among Plant-Based Dogs
It’s more than just the clinical studies that are demonstrating benefits for dogs. A recent study involving guardian-reported indicators of health (veterinary visits, use of medications, and perceived health status) found that dogs on plant-based diets exhibited fewer signs of poor health. They experienced fewer common illnesses and visited the vet fewer times. The researchers concluded that the evidence points to nutritionally sound plant-based diets being the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choice for dogs compared to conventional and raw meat diets.
A similar study surveying pet parents about dogs on plant-based versus meat diets found that plant-based dogs:
- Experienced no adverse health outcomes
- Had fewer issues with gastrointestinal, eye, and liver health
- Lived longer
Debunking the Myth that Plant-Based Diets are Bad for Dogs
People have long believed that dogs must also be carnivores because they descend from carnivorous wolves. However, we now know dogs have 10 diet-related genes that wolves don’t. These genes enable them to survive on starch-rich diets. In other words, dogs are omnivores and current research points to the fact that they can thrive on plant-based diets. A systematic search of the existing literature about plant-based diets for dogs found “no overwhelming evidence of adverse effects” and even “some evidence of benefits.”
About Wisdom From the Seed
One of the main concerns among animal healthcare professionals regarding plant-based diets for dogs is nutritional completeness and balance. Dogs require specific nutrients in their daily diet, and long-term deficiencies can be devastating. There are few plant-based commercial formulations on the market, and homemade recipes are often complicated to formulate properly.
But now, Earth Animal has launched Wisdom From the Seed. It’s a plant-based diet formulated for dogs by a veterinarian and made with premium, wholesome ingredients. It boasts high nutritional density to support optimal wellness:
- Healthy fats and fatty acids
- A complete amino acid profile
- Carbohydrates
- All the essential vitamins and minerals
It features sustainable lentil protein, quinoa, sunflower seed protein, and potato protein. From the Seed is a superior choice for dogs with allergies and sensitivities. It’s also environmentally ethical, requiring less land and water, generating less pollution, and producing fewer greenhouse gases.
Pet parents like your clients are becoming more and more interested in plant-based diets for dogs. Wisdom From the Seed is the clear choice because of its benefits for people, pets, and the planet. Learn more today.
AUTHOR PROFILE
IVC Journal is a division of Redstone Media Group. Innovation is the key to veterinarians staying competitive and being able to provide their clients with the absolute best care possible. IVC Journal delivers the most up to date and compelling information available by bridging the gap between the traditional worlds of allopathic and integrative veterinary care.
