To ensure a balanced diet, vegetarian and vegan dog foods need specific adjustments.

Research indicates that meat-free dry kibble fulfills dogs’ protein and fat needs but is typically short on iodine and vitamin B. With the right supplements or improved commercial options, plant-based dog foods can maintain pets’ health while minimizing the ecological footprint of the pet food industry Rebecca Broseyk from the University of Nottingham, UK.

“Provided they get all necessary nutrients from their food, dogs will thrive,” she explains.

Many vegans and vegetarians who have dogs often grapple with the ethics of feeding meat to carnivorous pets David Gardner at the University of Nottingham. In light of this concern, manufacturers are beginning to offer plant-based options.

Organizations such as the European Federation of Pet Food Industry and the American Association for Feed Management are advocating for standardized assessments of commercial pet foods and additives to guarantee nutritional adequacy. Nonetheless, most pet foods globally lack thorough nutritional evaluations by independent experts, according to Gardner.

Brociek, Gardner, and their team examined 25 types of commercially available dry foods for healthy adult dogs, of which 19 were formulated with either meat or plants. Among these, two were labeled vegetarian and four were vegan.

Researchers assert that although marketed as nutritionally complete, none of the official dog dietary guidelines were entirely met. However, all foods did manage to provide appropriate levels of protein, fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

The majority, including five out of six plant-based options, fell short on iodine, although seaweed served as a beneficial remedy for these deficiencies.

The vitamins were generally sufficient, except for vitamin B, which was especially deficient in plant-based options. Dogs lacking vitamin B can experience skin, nerve, and digestive issues, suggesting that manufacturers should bolster their formulations, the researchers state.

The results indicate a need for oversight in dog food production across all types, not just those that are plant-based. Andrew Knight from Murdoch University, Australia, stresses, “Consumers expect that if a product claims to be nutritionally healthy, it should be accurate, but that’s often not the case.”

“A vegetarian diet can be beneficial if nutrients lacking in plant sources are adequately replaced, similar to the considerations for humans choosing vegetarian diets,” says Lucia Casini from the University of Pisa, Italy, who adds that pet owners should refrain from making their own plant-based meals for their pets.

Dogs have evolved to consume a variety of foods, so a well-rounded plant-based diet can fulfill their nutritional needs, which can also lower the environmental impact associated with meat production, including greenhouse gas emissions, according to Gardner.

“They are genuine omnivores,” he remarks. “As many Labrador owners (myself included) will attest, they will eat just about anything.”