Why dogs also benefit from a vegan diet

Scientific facts and expert opinion – interview with Godo Röben

Ihlow. A balanced diet without any animal products? Although we sometimes still have to have the “meat is my vegetables” discussion with Uncle Herbert on Christmas Eve, veganism is no longer unusual for us. The number of vegans who completely avoid animal products in their everyday lives has been steadily increasing for years. The reason? A plant-based diet is not only more conscious and sustainable, but often also healthier than the meat-based alternative. But why should a vegan diet only be healthy for humans? A balanced, healthy and sustainable diet is also beneficial for our fluffy four-legged friends. Nevertheless, a vegan diet for dogs is often still viewed critically and as not species-appropriate. But what is actually true? Godo Röben, consultant and Vutter! expert, answers questions on the topic – with backing from science!

Why do you think it is that the topic of vegan nutrition for dogs is met with so much backlash from society?
Godo Röben: We humans are creatures of habit and as such it is difficult for us to suddenly question truths that we have accepted throughout our lives. This also means that dogs eat meat. Today we know that a vegan diet is possible for both humans and dogs and can meet their needs 100 percent as long as the ingredients are balanced. Many vegans use dietary supplements to keep their iron levels stable, while others pay more attention to balance through natural means. In any case, a vegan diet is always one thing: conscious! And in my opinion, a conscious diet with regard to nutrient content, but also origin and sustainability is never a bad thing.

Dogs have always been considered carnivores – primarily because of their genetic origins. What has changed for the dog today? Is a vegan diet species-appropriate?
GR: The dog is originally descended from the wolf, which is known as a carnivore. However, dogs' genes have changed significantly as a result of the agricultural revolution. During this time, people became sedentary and began producing starchy foods. During this time, the dog came closer and closer to the settlements and ate people's leftover food. The ability to efficiently digest starch developed as a selection advantage that has prevailed and is still present in our four-legged friends today. Compared to wolves, dogs can easily digest more starch. Nowadays, dogs are no longer considered carnivores, but rather omnivores. It can be fed with or without meat to meet its needs.

So a vegan diet is not only species-appropriate for dogs, but can also have health benefits?
GR: As with us humans, a dog's health is largely linked to its diet. A study by the University of Winchester and Griffith University, together with independent experts, compared the health of dogs on a vegan diet with that of dogs on a conventional diet and found that dogs on a plant-based diet not only had a healthier general condition, but also had fewer visits to the vet and a diet recorded lower medication consumption. The study demonstrated that a nutritionally sound vegan diet may be the healthiest and least risky diet for dogs. So to summarize: A wholesome plant-based diet can lead to fewer allergies, better tolerance and a healthier general condition – which in turn leads to fewer visits to the vet and therefore lower costs.

And that's not just a snapshot?
What about long-term consequences such as deficiency symptoms?
GR: Long-term experiments by the animal welfare organization PETA confirmed these positive results: 82 percent of dogs that were fed a vegan diet for over five years were in excellent health. A long-term vegan diet can reduce the risk of infections and even prevent cancer. Basically, the longer a dog lives as a vegan or vegetarian, the better his chances of being in good to excellent health.

The idea for the product and the Vutter brand was born! based on these studies?
The team that created the Green Plant Petfood brand initially had an ideological motivation: a conscious diet from which no animals have to suffer and which reduces or at least does not increase our footprint on the planet! Against this background, the intensive research and product development process began in order to produce a perfect product that our dogs like, provides them with all the nutrients they need as a complete feed and can be fed by us with a clear conscience. Production methods, ingredients and places of origin are constantly questioned, optimized and geared towards greater sustainability. I am proud to be able to support this team with my experience. We have not yet achieved all of the goals that are on our agenda, especially in terms of sustainability, but we are on the right track!

Vutter! is available at Kaufland, REWE, EDEKA Südwest, dm online, Rossmann online, Fressnapf online, Globus and of course in our own online shop.