December 26, 2022, 3:43 pm | Read time: 12 minutes

In times of the vegan boom, it’s hardly surprising that a purely plant-based diet is becoming increasingly popular for animal family members. It’s clear: Vegan food is not suitable for all pets. While rabbits are born as vegans, cats in the wild prefer to catch mice. Dogs, too, when given the choice, will prefer meaty food, although as omnivores, they can also digest plant-based food. Therefore, the question arises whether a vegan diet is possible for dogs.

Vegan Diet for Dogs

A nutritional look at the nutrient spectrum of conventional dog food shows that nearly all micro- and macronutrients from meat can also be covered by plants—at least in theory.

In practice, this means that dog owners should thoroughly understand their pet’s needs before planning a dietary change. Once it’s clear which nutrients are needed and in what amounts, homemade dog food must be carefully examined. Industrially produced vegan complete food usually provides all essential nutrients, but it should also be checked in advance to prevent deficiencies in the dog.

Risk of Nutrient Deficiency

Those who wish to prepare food themselves from vegetables, rice, and the like should pay special attention to micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals) that are not sufficiently present in plant-based food. As in human nutrition, this mainly concerns vitamin B12. Only if the food contains all nutrients in sufficient quantities can the owner prevent a nutrient deficiency.

Vegan Diet for Dogs from a Veterinary Perspective

According to Professor Dr. med. vet. Christine Iben from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, dogs are not, as often claimed, pure carnivores. When looking at metabolism, dachshunds, Labradors, and the like are omnivores. This results in a high adaptability of dogs to different diets. Based on this physiological observation, a vegan diet for healthy, adult dogs is indeed possible if the nutrient needs are monitored.

Illness from Plant-Based Food?

In a master’s thesis at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 20 dogs that had been vegan for at least six months were observed, and no link between illnesses and plant-based food was found. The examinations and blood samples showed no changes due to switching to vegan food.¹

Further scientific material even suggests the hope that purely plant-based dog food could offer nutritional benefits for dog health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Plant-Based Food

Whether polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential, meaning vital, for dogs as they are for humans has not yet been proven. However, the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids can also be utilized for dogs—such as their anti-inflammatory effects.

Animal omega-3 sources like salmon are excluded in a vegan dog diet. To still provide the health benefits for the heart and circulatory system, there are plant-based alternatives. While human vegans meet their omega-3 needs primarily through flaxseed or walnut oil in salads, pet owners can also enrich their dog’s food with plant oils.

Since flaxseed oil contains particularly high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, it is usually the preferred choice for dogs.

Vegan Protein Sources for Dogs

Regarding high-quality protein intake, pet owners can look to their own diet. Those who feed their dogs vegan likely avoid meat, milk, and the like themselves.

Tofu for Dogs?

Soy protein is particularly valuable because it contains numerous essential amino acids. In other words, its biological value (protein quality) is high, allowing dietary protein to be optimally converted into muscle and other cell structures. No other plant-based protein source has a comparable protein quality.

Critical Nutrients in Vegan Feeding

Industrially produced vegan complete food is enriched with special nutrients, the so-called critical nutrients, that dogs cannot produce themselves. The reason: While vitamin B12 is not found in plants at all, other micronutrients are only present in insufficient amounts and must be artificially added to the food.

The easiest way is to enrich homemade vegan food with ready-made nutrient mixes. These contain vitamins and minerals as well as taurine and L-carnitine. Those who opt for a pure mineral powder can also add B vitamins through yeast flakes.

Unlike humans, dogs cannot produce vitamin D through sunlight. Therefore, dog food must also be enriched with vitamin D—and this applies to conventional meat-based food as well!

The following overview shows the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements with which homemade food from plant-based ingredients must be enriched depending on the ingredients:

• Vitamin B12
• Amino acids
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B2
• Iodine & Zinc
• Copper
• Sodium

Note: Targeted enrichment does not only apply to plant-based food: “Normal” complete dog food is also supplemented with micronutrients. For example, meat provides insufficient and less available vitamin E, so this cell-protecting antioxidant must be added to the meat. Industrial meat food is also enriched with iodine, manganese, selenium, and zinc.

What Does a Typical Vegan Meal for Dogs Look Like?

Those who eat vegan themselves might consider sharing their meals with their dogs. However, most dishes are not suitable for dogs in terms of composition. Additionally, the addition of salt, spices, and sugar is taboo for dogs. Since salt is necessary for sodium supply, a pinch-wise dosage is indeed sensible.

Nutrient Needs of an Adult Dog

• About 50 percent carbohydrates
• About 40 percent protein
• About 5 percent high-quality plant oil
• About 5 percent fiber

Balanced Vegan Dog Meal

1. Protein, Vegetables & Fruit: While protein, for example, in the form of cooked legumes like red lentils, chickpeas, or tofu, goes into the bowl, vegetables and fruit can also be mixed in raw depending on the type. This way, more heat-sensitive micronutrients like vitamin C and B vitamins are absorbed. Chopping (e.g., carrot shavings) or pureeing increases nutrient utilization. Varieties like broccoli or fennel should be steamed before consumption.

• Carbohydrates & Oil: As sources of carbohydrates and fiber, the aforementioned legumes as well as fruits and vegetables are suitable. Additionally, grated carrots, zucchini, corn, millet, bananas, potatoes, beets, or polenta (cornmeal) can supplement carbohydrate supply. Before feeding, the base is finally enriched with flaxseed oil and a vitamin-mineral mix (or with yeast flakes and minerals).

Healthy Plant-Based Dog Food (Selection)

• Carrots & Zucchini
• Rice & Potatoes
• Flaxseed oil
• Millet
• Apple & Banana
• Berries
• Broccoli & Fennel
• Beets
• Corn & Polenta
• Soybeans (e.g., as tofu)
• Peas, Beans & Lentils
• Chickpeas

To provide your beloved pet with an extra dose of cell-protecting antioxidants, a colorful mix of carrots, broccoli, blueberries, small amounts of spinach (oxalic acid), apricots, and strawberries is advisable. However, when feeding fruit, the sugar content of the food should also be considered.

Note: For legumes and cruciferous vegetables, test tolerance with small amounts before frequent feeding.

Does My Dog Get Enough Protein from Vegan Food?

When it comes to a lack of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, etc.) in purely plant-based food, the talk is often about missing protein—whether for humans or animals. While this criticism has long been disproven in human medicine, veterinary studies also suggest that vegan dog food provides sufficient protein.

A study at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine even showed that the supply of amino acids (protein building blocks) significantly increased when meat was replaced with vegan food.²

Can My Dog Digest Starchy Plant Foods Like Grains?

A Swedish study observed that dogs can digest starchy foods much more efficiently than wolves.³ Another study reached a similar conclusion.⁴

Regarding the digestibility of starchy foods, further study material shows that the utilization of potatoes, rice, corn, millet, barley, and wheat is over 99 percent.⁵ A follow-up study found that, in addition to rice, corn, and millet, peas, lentils, and cassava can be digested at more than 98 percent.⁶

Minerals in Vegan Diet

Further scientific studies suggest that vegan-fed dogs can absorb minerals like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc as well or even better than meat-eating dogs.

Also interesting: Help, my dog is too fat! 10 nutrition tips for weight loss

Advantages of Vegan Dog Nutrition

As with a vegan diet for humans, the high proportion of plant-based protective substances likely results in numerous positive health effects for the heart, blood vessels, and more for dogs. Additional benefits come from the conscious avoidance of animal products.

• Higher intake of antioxidants
• More sustainable diet (environmental protection)
• Low-odor excretions
• Lower risk of developing gout
• Fewer allergies*
• Significantly fewer digestive problems
• Reduced risk of cancer
• Reduced risk of hypothyroidism

*Most allergens for dogs are due to animal protein

Disadvantages of Plant-Based Food

Despite the numerous positive aspects of a purely plant-based diet, there are also some drawbacks. Especially before deciding to feed your dog homemade meals, pet owners should thoroughly understand their pet’s nutrient needs.

• Risk of nutrient deficiency*
• Expert knowledge must be acquired*
• Acceptance must be tested**

*Regarding homemade food. Both factors also apply to the homemade preparation of meat-based food for dogs (e.g., raw feeding)

**It may be beneficial to gradually reduce the meat content in favor of plant-based food to improve acceptance

Which Foods Are Unsuitable for Dogs?

Toxic effects come from avocados, chocolate, garlic, onions, and grapes (including raisins). The same applies to coffee, tea, birch sugar (xylitol), hops, and macadamia nuts.

• Avocado
• Grapes
• Chocolate
• Garlic & Onions
• Raisins
• Coffee & Tea
• Cocoa
• Sugar
• Larger amounts of salt
• Artificial additives
• Hops
• Spices like chili
• Macadamia
• Sugar substitutes (including xylitol)

Also interesting: 10 Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs

Additionally, some vegetables can lead to flatulence (gas). These foods include beans, peas, lentils, and cabbage. Peppers, cucumbers, and mushrooms can also have a bloating effect. However, these vegetables should not be completely removed from the diet. Individual tolerance should be tested first, as these foods provide valuable nutrients.

Tip: Gradually increase the amount of legumes to improve tolerance.

More on the topic

Expert clarifies Can dogs eat cat food?

Undersupply Recognizing and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency in Dogs

Conclusion on Vegan Dog Nutrition

From the current perspective, a purely plant-based diet for dogs is indeed possible if the food is enriched with all essential nutrients. Studies suggest that vegan feeding can even be beneficial. Except for vitamin B12, all necessary micronutrients are found in plants. Since the content of individual vitamins and minerals is not sufficient, industrial food is enriched with vitamin D and others.

As previously explained, targeted enrichment also applies to meat-based food, where other micronutrients like vitamin E are considered critical. Therefore, in general: Anyone who wants to make dog food themselves—whether meat- or vegetable-based—must enrich the food with vitamins and more to prevent nutrient deficiencies in their beloved pet.

When choosing vegetables, fruits, protein sources, and more, regional organic ingredients should be preferred. In addition to a colorful mix of plant-based protective substances, the selection of ingredients naturally also depends on the individual preferences of dachshunds, pugs, and others.

Long-term studies, despite numerous promising research results, will show whether a vegan diet for dogs is truly sensible as a permanent diet.

Final tip: Dog owners who occasionally want to feed their pets meat should definitely consider the following recommendation: Please look beyond the “food bowl” and ideally buy all animal ingredients for dog food from highly certified organic farming—for the well-being of all animals.

Sources

1. Semp, Master’s Thesis University of Vienna, Vegan nutrition of dogs and cats, 2014.
2. Cavanaugh et al.: Short-term amino acid, clinicopathologic, and echocardiographic findings in healthy dogs fed a commercial plant-based diet, Plos One, . 2021 Oct 12;16(10):e0258044. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258044. eCollection 2021.
3. Axelsson et al.: The genomic signature of domestication reveals adaption to a starch-rich diet, 2013, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11837, Published: 23 January 2013
4. Ollivier et al.: AMY2B copy number variation reveals starch diet adaptions in ancient European dogs, 2016, The royal society, https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.160449
5. Murray et al. (1999): Evaluation of selected high-starch flours as ingredients in canine diets, 1999, Journal of Animal Science, 1999 Aug;77(8):2180-6. doi: 10.2527/1999.7782180x, DOI: 10.2527/1999.7782180x, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10461997/
6. Carciofi et al. (2008): Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response, 2008, J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 2008 Jun;92(3):326-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00794.x, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18477314/

Additional Sources

• Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture: “Guidelines for the labeling of single and compound feed” (2021, accessed on 03/09/2022)
• Vegan.at, “Prof. Dr. Iben from VetMed Vienna on vegan dog nutrition” (2018, accessed on 03/09/2022)
• Peta, “Cooking vegan dog food: Information and recipes” (2020, accessed on 03/09/2022)
• https://sustainablepetfood.info  (accessed on 03/09/2022)
• German Animal Welfare Association, “Vegetarian and vegan nutrition for dogs and cats” (2019)