It is possible for your pet to thrive on a plant-based diet! Within recent years there has been an influx of research supporting this.

Author: Madison Frederick

There has been an increase in people looking to transition their pets to a plant-based diet. There are many things that need to be considered when thinking about making the switch!

What pets can eat a plant-based diet? 

There are plenty of pets that are already herbivores by nature and thrive off of a plant-based diet! Birds, rabbits, tortoises, and so many others all are wonderful pets for someone that is set on having a plant-based pet. Feeding an animal that is not naturally a herbivore can be a bit more difficult. While dogs are able to live a very healthy lifestyle while plant-based, it requires effort and attention from their owners. Cats are an animal that cannot thrive or live healthily on a vegan diet. Cats require certain nutrients that are not produced by their bodies that are almost always only found in meat. As well as needing specific nutrients, a cat’s digestive system cannot properly digest a lot of plant-based proteins, and they need an incredibly high protein diet. If you’re determined to have a plant-based pet, it is important to consider what kind of pets will be the healthiest. As an owner, the best and most responsible thing that you can do for an animal is put their needs and health first!

Can my pet thrive on a plant-based diet?

Oftentimes, people want to ensure that a plant-based diet will help their pets thrive and be as healthy as possible before making the transition. It requires a lot of research to ensure that you will be able to provide your pets with a proper plant-based diet. Working closely with your veterinarian is a great way to decide if making the switch to a plant-based diet will allow your pets to thrive long-term. Although, there are veterinarians that do not believe a plant-based diet is sustainable for animals that do not naturally eat one. If you are looking for a veterinarian that is supportive of plant-based pets, Vkind.com or the Vkind app is an excellent resource! 

It is possible for your pet to thrive on a plant-based diet! Within recent years there has been an influx of research supporting this. One study shows that when dogs were switched to a vegan diet, there were no major changes in health! Some of the dogs even had healthier coats and fewer dermatological issues. During one of the largest studies done on plant-based dogs, it was statistically shown that dogs on a vegan diet actually tend to have better health than a dog on a conventional meat diet. This research revealed that dogs on a plant-based diet needed to go to the veterinarian less frequently than a dog that is eating a conventional meat diet. There has even been research completed about feeding working dogs a plant-based diet. This study supported that these dogs are able to live healthily on a meat-free diet! They found that the dogs stayed in good health and maintained their ability to perform athletically as well.  

Plant-based dog food also tends to be safer than conventional dog food as well. This is due to the low-grade meat that is often used in the food. This can pose a variety of issues, such as contamination issues or antibiotics in the food. Feeding your pets this kind of food can run a risk! Pet food does not fall under the USDA, which means the FDA creates the standards for pet food. The FDA does not have strict standards for what can be consumed by our pets. The FDA allows animals that died from disease or chemical contamination to be used in pet food. They also allow for a variety of different additives and by-products to be added to the food. You never really know where the food you’re feeding your pets comes from or what it really is. These risks aren’t present when feeding your pet a plant-based diet.

How can I feed my pet a plant-based diet?

Finding the best diet for your pet can take trial and error! It depends on what type of animal you own, their age, and a variety of other factors. As previously mentioned, working with a professional is one of the best ways to ensure you are giving your pet everything they need. Feeding your pet a plant-based diet can be accessible and does not need to be intimidating! There are a variety of options when it comes to transitioning your pet into a plant-based diet. You can purchase premade food and we recommend V-dog, as a great option for convenience! This brands even have meat-free treats for your animals! There are also ways to create your own plant-based food for your pets! This takes a bit more time and research than purchasing a plant-based food, but it is very possible. Going along with making plant-based pet food, there are a variety of fruits and veggies you can feed your pets as treats! For example, dogs can enjoy apples, cucumbers, pumpkins, brussel sprouts, and even more. There are plenty of ways to provide your pet with proper nutrition while following a plant-based diet!

Sources: 

Knight, Andrew, and Madelaine Leitsberger. “Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals.” Animals: an Open Access Journal from MDPI, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 21 Sept. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5035952/.

Knight, Andrew, et al. “Vegan versus Meat-Based Dog Food: Guardian-Reported Indicators of Health.” PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, 13 Apr. 2022, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0265662.

The Regulatory Review. “Pet Food Regulations May Be More Bark than Bite.” The Regulatory Review, 19 Oct. 2021, https://www.theregreview.org/2021/10/07/kaufman-pet-food-regulations-more-bark-than-bite/.

Staff, AKC. “Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 24 Mar. 2022, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/.

“Why Can’t My Cat Be Vegan?” ASPCA, https://www.aspca.org/news/why-cant-my-cat-be-vegan.