by PETA Germany – Lisa Kainz and HundeNachrichten – Stefan Richter
Stuttgart/Boppard. Many dogs are real vacuum cleaners and have no interest in whether what they eat is healthy. The other end of the leash is all the more concerned. Should I feed my dog dry or wet, home-cooked or processed, meat-based or vegan food? There are now countless variations and recommendations.
The classic form of feeding is usually dry or canned meat food from the store. Some dogs are also fed raw meat. Proponents of this method consider the so-called BARF (1) to be more natural, species-appropriate and healthy. However, unprocessed meat also poses risks from pathogens or parasites. In recent years, more and more dogs have been fed a vegan or vegetarian diet. But is it even good to feed your dog completely without animal products such as meat, fish, milk and eggs?
Dogs have certain nutritional needs that must also be covered by a vegan diet. However, they do not need specific foods, but rather the nutrients they contain. Whether the protein comes from meat, tofu, lentils, peas or quinoa is therefore irrelevant for the nutrient coverage. There are currently not many studies on vegan dog nutrition. However, initial surveys show that a well-balanced, plant-based diet is the healthiest diet for dogs (2). In the case of puppies, young dogs, pregnant bitches or those with certain illnesses, expert nutritional advice should always be sought and a balanced ration should be put together for these specific requirements.
Benefits of a vegan dog diet 
But why should the dog be switched from bones to carrots in the first place – to put it bluntly? The reasons for feeding your dog a vegan diet are usually animal and environmental protection. It is a persistent rumor that dog food is only made from surplus “slaughter waste”. In reality, however, slaughterhouses also make money from these supposed byproducts because they save on disposal fees and some dog food brands also use meat that would be suitable for human consumption. Vegan dog food not only prevents animal suffering, it also benefits the climate. Plant-based food uses fewer resources and releases fewer pollutants and climate-damaging gases into the environment, which reduces the ecological footprint considerably (3). Dogs with intolerances also benefit from a meat-free diet. Many are allergic to certain animal proteins or other ingredients.
Forms of vegan dog food
Plant-based dog food can also be bought either as processed dry or canned food, or you can cook it yourself. If you decide to buy a vegan complete food from a store, you generally don't have to worry about a potential nutrient deficiency. This is because the composition is developed by specialized teams and constantly monitored. Vegan “complete food” is available in the usual pet shops, but the range is still rather limited. However, there are now a few specialized shops online with a good selection for healthy and adult dogs. Popular brands for vegan dog food include VEGDOG, Greta, LisamitV, Ballony and Meinert.
If you prefer to cook your own food, you should plan your menu carefully, especially at the beginning, just like with BARF – ideally in consultation with trained veterinary staff or an animal nutritionist. Because if the ingredients are one-sided or not properly matched, as with any form of nutrition, a deficiency will occur, which can lead to serious health problems in the long term.
Supplements
Some nutrients must be supplemented in home-cooked plant-based food for dogs. Essential amino acids (like taurine) or vitamin B12 cannot usually be completely covered by a well-planned food selection alone. In the meat industry, animals that are later killed in the slaughterhouse are often given numerous supplements through their food. In a vegan diet, on the other hand, supplements are given directly.
The transition phase
It is especially important to keep a close eye on your four-legged friend during the changeover. Dogs can occasionally have problems digesting plant-based foods and intolerances. Depending on the dog, it may be important to change slowly and observe whether the dog is intolerant to anything. In general, it is advisable to have a major health check including a blood test before the changeover in order to get a status quo. A further check after a few months is usually sufficient, and after that, apart from the annual health check, no further checks are usually required.
Conclusion
How to feed your dog is something everyone should decide based on the age, health and personal preferences of your animal companion. However, if your love of animals extends beyond your own, you should definitely try a plant-based diet for your four-legged friend. There is no doubt that a purely plant-based diet for dogs is healthy in most cases and makes a significant contribution to animal and environmental protection. To ensure that all the necessary nutrients are covered, vegan “complete feeds” from the store are the most common choice at the beginning. If you feel a little more experienced or have dogs with special preferences or illnesses, you can also cook the food yourself. In both cases, it is recommended that you make the change slowly and, if you are unsure, consult a qualified nutritionist and keep a close eye on your dog during the transition phase.
What is your opinion on this? Are you already feeding your dog a vegan diet? Have you thought about switching your dog to a partially or completely vegan diet? Or would you rather stick with feeding him meat?
We would be happy to receive a comment!
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Sources/Explanations
1. BARF (Bones And Raw Foods) is the name given to this feeding method in which dogs are given only natural food, i.e. raw meat, raw fish, fresh offal and bones. The food is usually supplemented with raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and cold-pressed oils.
2. Knight A, Huang E, Rai N, Brown H (2022) Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health. PLoS ONE 17(4): e0265662. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?i d=10.1371/journal.pone.02 65662
3. Yavor K, Lehmann A, Finkbeiner M (2020) Environmental Impacts of a Pet Dog: An LCA Case Study: https://www.mdpi.com/2071–1050/12/8/3394