Can I safely feed my dog a plant-based diet?
Yes, feeding a dog with a plant-based complete diet is safe. Although dogs are genetically omnivorous predators, their metabolism is very flexible, and they are capable of synthesizing all the nutrients they need from plant-based raw materials.
Creating a balanced plant-based diet requires expertise in dog nutrition and an understanding of dogs’ nutritional needs.
How do we know that feeding dogs a plant-based diet is safe?
Canine metabolism has been intensively studied and is therefore well understood. Dogs can efficiently digest and process plant-based raw materials and produce from them all the necessary nutrients through their metabolism.
The species’ flexible metabolism is based on the fact that in nature, canines eat very irregularly and can survive for weeks without prey. To prevent starvation, the dog's metabolism has evolved to be very adaptive. As a result, the dog utilizes a wide variety of foods and ingredients efficiently.
Can I trust FEDIAF's recommendations regarding plant-based diets?
FEDIAF is the umbrella organization of the European pet food industry, working closely with authorities, legislators, and academic experts to ensure the supply of safe, nutritious, and palatable pet foods.
Together with independent researchers, FEDIAF has created nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs. The independent experts consulted by FEDIAF form the so-called Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which guides the organization in the application and use of scientific research as a basis for nutritional recommendations and ensures that FEDIAF is informed about the latest insights into dog and cat nutrition.
The nutritional recommendations are created based on the latest knowledge and are reviewed every two years and updated whenever new information on pet nutrition is available.
When a diet—whether composed of plant- or animal-based ingredients—contains all nutrients in the correct balance, it is considered a complete diet and supports the pet's long-term well-being.
What should be considered when choosing a plant-based diet for a dog?
When selecting a plant-based ready-made food for a dog’s daily nutrition, it is essential to ensure it is a balanced complete diet and that the recipe is professionally developed to meet the dog's nutritional requirements. If this information is not readily available, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer or the company responsible for marketing the food to confirm.
What supplements should be added to a plant-based diet?
Complete food, whether plant- or animal-based, does not need to be supplemented with additional nutrients. Complete food means that the food contains all the nutrients a dog needs daily in the correct balance.
Can a dog be fed a home-cooked plant-based diet?
Feeding a dog with a home-cooked plant-based diet requires substantial nutritional expertise. It is advisable for those planning a home-cooked diet to consult a veterinarian specializing in nutrition (board certified veterinary nutritionist, Dipl. ECVCN or Dipl. ACVCN), who can develop a diet for the dog that includes all the nutrients it needs daily.
Are plant-based diets palatable?
Yes, plant-based foods can be just as palatable as diets containing animal-based ingredients. Palatability is not solely determined by the taste of the raw ingredients but also by their quality and processing, various stages of the production process, and individual factors.
Are plant-based diets easily digestible?
Digestibility depends on the selected ingredients, their quality and processing, and the production process. When using high-quality plant protein sources, the food is easily digested, and nutrients are efficiently absorbed by the body. However, plant-based foods often contain a relatively high amount of fiber, which may slightly increase stool volume. This should not be confused with poor digestibility affecting stool quality. Adequate fiber intake is important for gut health.
Can my dog utilise all nutrients from plant-based food?
Plant-based food labeled as complete contains all the nutrients your dog needs daily in the correct proportions. By using such food, you can be confident that your dog’s diet is healthy and balanced. Plant-based ingredients are processed for good digestibility and effective nutrient absorption. Sometimes, the higher stool volume caused by the high fiber content of plant-based food is mistaken for poor digestibility. However, this is not the case—the increased stool volume is due to higher fiber content, even though the other nutrients are properly absorbed.
Doesn’t my dog need some meat to meet its nutritional needs?
Your dog does not need meat to meet its nutritional needs. Although dogs are genetically omnivorous predators, their metabolism is very flexible and can synthesize the nutrients they need from plant-based raw materials.
The body does not differentiate nutrients based on whether they come from plant or animal sources. It is important to understand that the body’s cells need nutrients such as amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to function optimally. The ingredients used in food must contain the necessary nutrients in the right proportions.
Can a plant-based diet have specific benefits for dogs?
In certain cases, a plant-based diet may provide health benefits.
Some breeds, for example, are prone to forming urinary stones, which may be linked to a genetic defect in how these dogs process purines from food. Animal-based ingredients generally contain more purines than plant-based ones, so favoring plant-based food can help reduce the risk of urinary stone formation in these dogs.
Also, for food allergies, sometimes better-tolerated alternatives can be found among plant-based proteins.
But don’t dogs have carnivore teeth?
The structure of a dog’s teeth generally follows the traits of a carnivore’s dentition, for example, having canines suitable for tearing. However, dogs have significantly more premolars and molars suited for grinding compared to cats, indicating adaptation to a more flexible diet. Dogs have 42 teeth, while cats have only 30.
When feeding dry food, dogs use their teeth the same way regardless of whether the kibble contains plant- or animal-based ingredients. For the teeth, it makes no difference if the kibble contains meat, as its texture is the same due to the production process.
What about taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid that obligate carnivores (like cats) need in their diet. Dogs, on the other hand, are known to be able to produce the taurine they need in their liver, provided the diet contains enough of the building blocks needed for taurine synthesis (methionine and cystine amino acids).
Is a plant-based diet suitable for all dogs?
Generally speaking, when a plant-based diet is a complete food and carefully designed to meet a dog’s daily nutritional needs, it is a very suitable diet for dogs.
However, it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all diet for every dog—whether plant-based, animal-based dry food, raw food, or home-cooked food. What’s essential is to monitor how your dog is doing on the chosen diet and make changes if necessary.
If your dog has a good appetite, is lively and active, has a shiny coat, and produces a reasonable amount of stool, you can assume the diet suits that dog.
