Can dogs be vegan?
Yes! :) Due to thousands of years of evolution alongside humans, dogs are omnivores (not carnivores!) and have adapted to digest plant-based foods. Dogs can easily get all of their nutrients from vegan sources. Some of the benefits of feeding your pup a vegan diet can include elimination of allergy symptoms, better oral hygiene, improved skin/coat, and weight management. If our testimonials page doesn’t convince you, check out some of the research on vegan dogs. (P.S. Did you know one of the Guinness Book of World Records' oldest dogs, Bramble the collie, was a vegan?)
Is vegan dog food safe?
Yes, Vegan dog food is safe for dogs. Switching to a plant-based diet is not only an ethical choice, but it is a healthier option for many animals. Contrary to what many people may believe, a plant-based diet may not be sufficient in nutrients - it can provide Protein, Calcium, Fiber, and all the other essential nutrients. Dogs can not only live healthily but thrive on a meat-free diet. In fact, an animal meat-free diet can reduce one’s risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, and even reverse many of these illnesses.
What should I consider when choosing a vegan diet for my dog?
Your dog’s age, weight and health conditions must be carefully considered when choosing a diet. Elderly dogs and puppies both have different nutritional needs. It is vital that puppies are on a puppy specific food as this contains the right balance of nutrients for growing.
What to look for in a vegan dog food?
When buying vegan dog food, here are some things you should look out for:
• High amounts of plant protein : vegan puppy food should have at least 22% protein, while the minimum for adult dog food is 18%. The best sources of plant protein are peas.
• Balanced omega fatty acids: : for healthy skin and coat, dogs need both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their diet. Make sure your selected vegan dog food contains a blend of both.
• Nutritional balance: to ensure balance, most commercial vegan dog food include vitamin and required mineral supplements.
Will Dogs accept meat-free foods?
At first, your dog may be hesitant. The way around this is to gradually add increasing portions of vegan food into your dog’s normal diet. Start by adding 10% vegan food, monitor your pet, then continue adding 10% increments until your dog gets used to the change Generally, for most dogs it takes about 7-10 days, and for sensitive stomachs, about 2-3 weeks. You can follow the below guidelines for transition of your dogs diet.
How to transition my dog to V-planet?
Guidelines for transitioning your pup’s current dry or wet food to V-planet kind kibble*:
Day 1-2 10% V-planet, 90% old food,
Days 3-4 25% V-planet, 75% old food,
Days 4-6 50% V-planet, 50% old food,
Days 7-8 75% V-planet, 25% old food,
Days 9+ 100% V-planet
Do vegan diets help dogs with allergies?
Yes, consumption of plant-based diet for a certain amount of time helps in removing toxins from the body, resulting in reduced inflammation and allergies. The most common food allergens for dogs includes chicken, beef, pork, wheat, corn, and dairy products. If your dog is allergic to an animal protein, switching to a vegan diet is a sound choice.
Do I need to add anything to the v-planet?
Nope! It’s fully supplemented with everything your dog needs to thrive, including 24% protein, L-carnitine, taurine and other whole foods, vitamins and minerals. Easy peasy!
Can puppies consume V-planet food?
V-planet is technically an "adult formula," since it is expertly formulated to meet AAFCO standards for dogs 1 year and up. However there has been positive feedback received from many customers who have successfully raised younger puppies on v-planet: Check out Durango Animal Connection's story on our blog about raising 30+ foster puppies successfully on v-planet/v-dog.
My Vet does not support a meat-free diet for my dog. What should I do?
At V-planet, our team closely work with veterinarians who support a nutritionally complete vegan diet for dogs. Check out our Vet’s recommendation tab for more info. We cannot offer official veterinary advice, but we are happy to offer resources that may help you understand that a meat-free diet is completely healthy and balanced.
