To Go Vegan or Not? An Expert Vet Weighs In on Plant-Based Diets for Dogs

Pros

1. It can help with weight loss
   Vegan dog food is typically lower in calories and fat. Provided that their meals are made using lean and easily digestible ingredients, and they are getting all of the nutrients they need, vegan dog food can be a great option for dogs who have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. It is still important that they meet their daily requirements though, which will vary depending on their size, breed, and age.
2. Their poos will smell less and prevent constipation
   Feeding your dog more veggies means that they’ll be getting more fibre in their diet, and that means more toilet trips in the garden. The increase in fibre can contribute towards a healthier digestive tract, so your pooch will be less likely to experience constipation and smelly stools.

3. Environmental benefits
   In the same way that humans eating a vegan diet can benefit the environment, dogs eating a vegan diet can too. In fact, switching your dog to a vegan diet can help conserve natural resources that are often used up by some livestock farming methods.

Cons

1. There’s a lot of research involved
   For pet parents who are considering switching their pets to meat-free meals, there will be a lot to learn before doing so. A dog’s diet needs to include a number of different vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and B12, as well as iron, calcium, iodine, and a high intake of protein and adequate amounts will vary.

2. It’s more time consuming
   Depending on the advice from your vet, feeding your dog a vegan diet can take longer to facilitate. This is because there’s often a lot more preparation time involved to ensure your dog is getting everything they need from their meals, and therefore you should only make this decision if you are able to dedicate the time required.

3. They might miss out on key nutrients
   Dog’s don’t tend to consume, and chew, their food in the same way that humans do. This means that some popular vegan alternatives, like chickpeas or lentils, will be swallowed whole and won’t get broken down and absorbed, resulting in your pet not receiving the nutrients and nourishment they need, which can cause a whole host of problems.

The signs that your dog isn’t responding well to a vegan diet

For pet parents that choose to move their dog onto a diet free of animal produce, it is important that a veterinary nutritionist is consulted first, to ensure that your dog remains healthy.

It’s also important to know the signs to look out for that show that your dog might not be responding well to a vegan diet. In the first instance, you might notice negative changes to their bowel habits, for example a runnier consistency or mucus appearing in their stool. Another telltale sign will be in their coat. Dogs require a variety of vitamins to keep their skin and fur healthy and without them, they may experience irritation or infections.

Noticeable changes in their mood, lethargy, or an overall lack of energy can also be a sign of malnutrition and should be taken seriously. Like humans, a dog’s gut biome plays a role in how they’re going to feel, so if their gut is affected, their mood and energy will be too.

This is a guest post by Dr. Sam Webster. Want to write for us? Visit www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/essay-submission or email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk.