Kleinheubach,. Every year, Veganuary motivates numerous people to rethink their eating habits. Feeding pets such as dogs is also becoming increasingly important. A current study of seven types of plant-based dry food available in Germany shows: Dogs can also be fed a plant-based diet according to their needs, provided certain factors are met. Three tips for dog owners can be derived from this.
Tip 1: Pay attention to relevant nutrients
When it comes to dogs' nutrition, it is not the meat content that is crucial, but rather a balanced supply of all important nutrients, i.e. proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. A plant-based dog diet can therefore work if it is a tested complete food that does not require any additional supplements. Plant-based recipes can be a well-tolerated alternative, especially for dogs with intolerance to certain animal proteins.
“Our evaluation shows that a plant-based diet for dogs is basically possible if the food contains all the relevant nutrients. The composition is crucial,” explains Dr. Christine Jensen, co-author of the study.
Tip 2: Change feed gradually
When switching to plant-based feeding, a gradual change over several days is recommended. It is ideal to slowly increase the proportion of new food so as not to overwhelm the dog's digestion and acceptance. Specifically, this can look like this: At the beginning, about a quarter of the new food is mixed with three quarters of the previous food. This is followed by a transition phase of around a week. Easily digestible plant protein sources such as potatoes, peas or lentils are particularly suitable for this transition phase as they are stomach-friendly for many dogs.
Tip 3: Consider individual needs
In principle, a plant-based diet can be suitable for adult, healthy dogs as long as it is a complete, complete food. However, for puppies, pregnant or lactating bitches and animals with special health requirements, a change in diet should only be made in consultation with a veterinary specialist.
Advice also plays a central role in specialist retailers. Dog owners are typically looking for guidance when it comes to feeding their dog. Transparent information on nutrient profiles, feeding recommendations and target groups is therefore crucial.
“Many people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet have dogs and face a challenge when it comes to feeding them: On the one hand, they want to be conscious about using animal products, but on the other hand, they want to provide their dog with the best possible care,” says Rafael Rybandt, Head of Brand Marketing at Green Petfood. “Our products, including 'VeggieDog Potato & Pea' or 'VeggieDog Red Lentil', can offer a good introduction because they are designed as complete, complete feed and contain all the important nutrients.”
Veggie Day as a low-threshold entry
Veganuary does not necessarily have to be associated with a complete change in diet. For many dog owners, an occasional meat-free feeding day may be the first step. This makes it possible to test whether and how well the animal accepts plant-based recipes without permanently changing the diet. Rybandt explains: “Even though Veganuary officially only lasts a month, the impulses for conscious feeding can be used all year round.”
About the study
The study “Nutritional adequacy of plant-based dry dog food available in Germany” was conducted by Dr. Christine Jensen (food family Agency GmbH & Co. KG), Jule Tschiskale (AGROLAB LUFA GmbH) and Prof. Dr. Ingrid Vervuert (University of Leipzig) presented as part of the ESVCN Congress 2025 in Leipzig. For the study, seven commercial dry plant foods that were declared to be wholesome were tested for their nutrient content and with the recommendations of FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) matched.
About Green Petfood
Green Petfood is a brand of the ERBACHER the food family and has specialized in the development and production of complete pet food for dogs and cats since 2013. Green Petfood's products stand for high, sustainable quality and are currently exported to 38 countries. The aim is to provide a balanced diet that takes current nutritional findings and the needs of the animals into account. Green Petfood uses alternative proteins and ensures that the food is particularly suitable for sensitive animals and allergy sufferers.
Green Petfood has received several awards for its commitment to the environment and resource conservation – including the GREEN BRANDS Award and the German Sustainability Award 2024 in the feed and pet food category. More information at: www.green-petfood.de.