We hear it often: "I'm vegan, but I would never force that on my dog."

Usually coupled with "dogs need meat" or "dogs are carnivores."

I wanted to break this down a bit and figure out what this statement actually means to so many people, and why people are so tied to misinformation when science has proven that dogs have evolved on a genetic level for thousands of years and are omnivorous.

Especially related to people who live their lives committed to causing as little suffering as possible: vegans.

I like to keep it simple. If there's a food that my dogs love the taste of that provides all of the nutrients they need without killing other animals, I'm going to choose this option.

But how did I get to this point?

I went vegan about five years ago. At the time, I was feeding my dog some "high-quality" meat-based food, but didn't think about his diet much other than trying my best to offer him something of quality.

I assumed he needed to eat meat.



He was healthy and enjoyed the food, but I began to feel increasingly weird about buying meat and having it in our consciously vegan household.

Was I feeding him the ideal diet? What were my options? I learned about the ill-effects of meat in humans and thought...could this type of food be harming my dog in any way?

I began do to some research on dog nutrition. With so much information available online it was definitely a challenge to sift through. Additionally, I wasn’t sure about bringing this topic up with my vet because she might think I was nuts.

I learned about what type of meat went into pet food. (Have you heard of the 4D thing? HORRENDOUS). I was disgusted, heartbroken for the animals, and determined to find a solution.

One day, I saw a bag of food on the shelf at a mainstream pet store - a regular looking dry dog food bag labeled “VEGETARIAN FORMULA.” I thought, well, if this reputable store is selling a food for dogs that is vegetarian by a well-known brand, that must at least mean other people do it. It must mean that it’s potentially safe and possibly healthy.

I went home and did more research. I learned that dogs are omnivores.

I learned that various tried and tested vegan dog food formulas exist. I learned that one of the world’s oldest dogs (Bramble) was fed a vegan diet. I learned that vegan diets have great track records for dogs with allergies. I learned that my dog will get plenty of protein and nutrients as long as I choose a nutritionally complete vegan diet for him.

I bought the vegetarian food I saw at the store and began feeding it to my dog. He enjoyed meal time and there was really no difference that I could tell on his end.

His health continued to be excellent and his vet approved his regular checkups, blood tests, oral exams, weight and general well-being.

And just like that...my dog was successfully eating a vegan diet.

And still loving life. Whew! That was an adventure.

It’s been six years and my dog is thriving.

(See more on what it means for a dog to "thrive")

People STILL ask me if he’s a puppy. He is 11 and a half now. (Read more and see his photos here).

At 11, he can jump into the car without help, run up and down stairs, hike, sprint, play, enjoy life. He has no arthritis or skin issues. His vet says his blood work and teeth are excellent. He is a stellar boy and his only fault is how spoiled he is :)

I understand the hesitation that some vegans feel when they consider switching their dog’s food to a complete and balanced (this is important) vegan food:

Will my dog feel deprived?

Will they stay healthy?

Will they even like this type of food?

What will my vet think?

Is there enough research on this type of diet for dogs?

Will their digestion be ok?

As someone with three dogs on vegan diets (they eat v-dog food), I couldn’t feel happier or more at-ease with my choice of food for them.

As pet parents, we’re part of a demographic that gets bombarded with mixed information about what to feed our dogs.



I feel so confident that my dogs love their meals and are in their ideal health.

I’d also like to elaborate on each of those questions above since I know they are common worries for new peeps exploring this topic. Here goes...

Will my dog feel deprived? Here’s what I usually tell people related to this: My dogs enjoy mealtime with their vegan food. They eat quickly and lick their bowls clean. Additionally, they beg for lots of healthy snacks like chickpeas, broccoli, sweet potato, bananas and strawberries (not joking). If my dogs love meal time, they are getting the proper nutrition they need, and they get so much joy out of these healthy, wholesome foods and snacks, I feel totally confident that they do not feel deprived in any way.

Will they stay healthy? Yes. There are thousands of dogs thriving on vegan food all over the world, some into their 20s. Just make sure you choose a complete and balanced formula. Dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. They are omnivores and can thrive on a vegan diet. Learn more.

If you want some extra proof: Take your dog to the vet for a general checkup and blood panel. Switch them to complete vegan diet like v-dog food. Wait a few months, then take them back to the vet. Their blood tests will come back excellent (unless they have an underlying issue unrelated to diet). Many v-dog customers have done this with much success, including myself for all three of my dogs. Their vets are always pleasantly surprised.



Will they even like this type of food? Most dogs, even super picky eaters, really love v-dog food. Read about them here. Also, check out this list of vet-approved fruit and veggie snacks healthy for dogs. (See stories from super picky vegan pups here)

What will my vet think? Well, they might initially think you’re crazy. But this is only because many vets are not educated in nutrition or alternative nutrition for dogs, or they base their opinions on misinformation (“dogs are carnivores”) or poorly formulated vegan dog foods. A lot of vets receive free food for their own dogs from major brands like Hills or Purina, and then proceed to sell these same foods in their clinics after graduation to make a profit. V-dog provides lots of resources if you’re uncertain about discussing this type of diet with your vet: learn more.

Is there enough research on this type of diet for dogs? In addition to decades of thousands of healthy dogs thriving on vegan diets, there have been multiple studies done on complete and balanced vegan diets for dogs. In one study, a team of sled racing dogs were fed a nutritionally complete vegan diet. Their blood test results came back in line with the dogs fed a meat-based diet, they had plenty of energy to race, and they were not anemic. Read this study, or see more info on vegan dog studies here.

Will their digestion be ok? Yes - most dogs’ digestion actually improves after they switch to a diet like v-dog since it is easily-digestible and hypoallergenic. See some stories from sensitive dogs here.

What about protein? Since dogs are omnivores, they are able to digest and thrive on starches, and can obtain their protein from plant-based sources. Foods like v-dog contain ingredients like peas, quinoa and lentils which are naturally high in protein and a clean source of dense nutrition.

Still have questions? Here are some useful links:

V-dog FAQs

5 Vegan Dog Myths & Facts

Can dogs be vegan? (VIDEO)

What do vets think about vegan diets for dogs?

Transitioning my dog to a vegan diet

Why did I write this post?

I know there's a ton of conflicting information on vegan dogs online. I know that people get really passionate about this topic, and that it can be super divisive. As someone with three dogs successfully eating a vegan diet, I hope my perspective helps you feel more comfortable making the change to vegan and on finding what is best for your dog’s source of nutrition and happiness. Sending you and your pup so many hugs!

Tail wags,

Lindsay

--