Can Dogs and Cats Go Vegan? What the Research Says, and What I Still Feed My Pets
Can Pets Go Vegan?
Dogs may be able to do well on a nutritionally complete vegan diet, but cats still need animal protein to survive.
That is my short answer.
Veggies may be good for you and me, but removing all animal protein from a pet’s diet is something I take seriously. Especially with cats.
Dogs are more flexible. Cats are not.
A published survey study in PLOS ONE looked at more than 2,500 dogs and found that nutritionally sound vegan diets may be linked with better health outcomes than conventional meat-based diets. The study also found that dogs on raw meat diets appeared healthier than dogs on vegan diets, but there were some important limitations.
So yes, this topic is confusing.
And yes, it has me pondering.
Perhaps I am wrong on some of this.
But there are still some things I am very clear about.
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What Did the Vegan Dog Diet Study Find?
The study discussed was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on April 13, 2022.
Andrew Knight of the University of Winchester in the U.K. and colleagues analyzed survey data from guardians of 2,536 dogs.
The dogs were fed one of three diet types:
- Conventional meat-based diets
- Raw meat diets
- Vegan diets
The survey asked about dog health, including:
- Veterinary visits
- Medication use
- Specific health disorders
- Guardian-reported health
- Reported veterinary assessments of health
The study suggested that dogs on conventional diets were, overall, less healthy than dogs on raw meat or vegan diets.
Dogs on raw meat diets appeared healthier than dogs on vegan diets.
Now pause there.
That sentence matters.
Did Raw-Fed Dogs Look Healthier Than Vegan-Fed Dogs?
Yes.
The study said dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than dogs on vegan diets.
Before we all toss the beef, let’s look at this statement from the pasted source:
“Overall, dogs on conventional diets were less healthy than dogs on raw meat or vegan diets. Dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than those on vegan diets.”
Dogs on raw meat diets appeared healthier.
That supports what I have long believed:
If you can feed your dog animal protein, raw, or homemade food properly, I still think this is the best option.
But there is more to this study.
Why Didn’t the Study Conclude Raw Diets Were Best?
The researchers noted several limitations that prevent a simple conclusion that raw meat diets are healthier.
Two key factors were mentioned.
1. Raw-Fed Dogs Were Younger
Dogs on raw meat diets in the study were significantly younger than dogs on vegan diets.
Younger dogs are often healthier.
That could make the raw-fed group look better.
2. Raw-Fed Dogs Were Less Likely to Visit the Veterinarian
The study also found that dogs on raw meat diets were less likely to be taken to a veterinarian.
This could mean they were healthier.
But prior research has suggested that guardians feeding raw diets may be less likely to seek veterinary advice.
So fewer vet visits may not always mean better health.
It may partly reflect owner behavior.
This is why we need to be careful when interpreting survey data.
What Did the Researchers Suggest?
The researchers suggested that further research is needed.
They said large-scale, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies would be more reliable, especially studies that use:
- Veterinary clinical examinations
- Veterinary medical histories
- Long-term health tracking
- Dogs maintained on different diets
That is reasonable.
Survey studies can raise good questions.
They do not settle every argument.
And pet nutrition people do enjoy arguing.
Sometimes more than the dogs enjoy eating.
Could a Vegan Diet Be Healthier Than Conventional Dog Food?
According to the study findings, a nutritionally sound vegan dog diet may be healthier and less hazardous than conventional meat-based diets.
The key phrase is:
Nutritionally sound.
Not just “vegan.”
Not rice, peas, and good intentions.
A dog’s diet still needs to be complete and balanced.
The authors stated that their study of 2,536 dogs was the largest study published to date exploring health outcomes of dogs fed vegan and meat-based diets.
They reported that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs were nutritionally sound vegan diets.
That is a big statement.
And it does make me think.
Why Might Some Pet Parents Choose Vegan Dog Food?
The study mentioned several reasons guardians may choose unconventional diets for their pets.
These include:
- Environmental concerns
- Concerns about treatment of animals used as food
- Concern for their pet’s health
- Interest in alternative feeding options
I would add one very real practical issue from the original message:
Food costs are rising.
Some people are having difficulty feeding themselves.
For some families, a nutritionally complete vegan dog food may become a legitimate option.
Maybe not ideal.
But possibly okay.
And that is where I think we need to stay open.
Our world is changing.
If there is one thing I consistently say, it is this:
Be open to doing things differently.
That may include how some dogs are fed.
Dogs vs Cats: Can Both Be Vegan?
No.
Dogs and cats are not the same.
This is where I draw a firm line.
| Pet | Can They Go Vegan? | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Possibly, if the diet is nutritionally complete | May be a legitimate option for some dogs, though I still prefer animal protein if possible |
| Cats | No, not in my opinion | Cats need animal protein to survive |
Cats need animal protein.
So please do not show me vegan cat food and ask me to be excited.
I will not be.
Cats are obligate carnivore types in the practical feeding sense. They need nutrients that are naturally found in animal tissue.
For cats, I would consistently keep animal protein in the diet.
What Is My Opinion on Vegan Dog Diets?
My opinion is this:
If you can feed your dog animal protein, raw food, or a properly balanced homemade diet, I think that is best.
That has not changed.
But if someone is choosing a nutritionally complete vegan dog food because of cost, ethics, availability, or other personal reasons, I am more open to saying it may be okay for dogs.
Not cats.
Dogs.
And the diet must be nutritionally complete.
That means your dog still needs adequate:
- Protein
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Digestive support
- Overall nutritional balance
A vegan diet that is not complete is not a health plan.
It is a deficiency waiting for a calendar date.
What About Conventional Meat-Based Diets?
The study suggested that dogs on conventional diets were less healthy overall than dogs on raw meat or vegan diets.
That is worth paying attention to.
Many conventional pet foods are highly processed.
If a dog is eating the same processed food every day, year after year, I can see why some guardians are looking for different options.
This does not mean every conventional food is terrible.
It means we should ask better questions.
- What is actually in the food?
- Is it complete?
- Is it appropriate for this dog?
- Is the dog thriving?
- Are there better options?
What About Raw Meat Diets?
Raw meat diets appeared healthier than vegan diets in the study, but the researchers did not conclude that raw diets were definitely healthier because of the study limitations.
There are also prior concerns linked to raw meat diets, including:
- Increased pathogen risk
- Nutritional deficiencies if not balanced properly
This is why I do not recommend random raw feeding.
A raw diet needs to be balanced.
That is one reason I like education around homemade diets.
If you are going to feed raw or homemade, please learn how to do it properly.
Your dog needs more than a chunk of meat and your enthusiasm.
What Is the Best Diet for Dogs?
The best dog diet depends on the dog, the guardian, and whether the diet is properly balanced.
Here is my practical ranking from the original message:
- Properly balanced animal protein, raw, or homemade diet
This is still my personal preference if you can do it properly. - Nutritionally complete vegan dog food
This may be a legitimate option for some dogs, especially with rising food costs or ethical concerns. - Conventional processed diet
This may be common, but based on the survey findings, conventional diets appeared linked with poorer health outcomes compared with raw or vegan diets.
The big word in all of this is:
Balanced.
What If You Make a Homemade Diet?
If you are ever making a home diet, you need to ensure it is balanced.
That is one reason I mention our supplements.
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine ADVANCED PLUS Health Formula and Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula are designed to support your dog or cat’s diet.
They can help provide additional nutrients that support:
- Joint health
- Skin health
- Gut health
- Immune health
- General nutrition
Adding targeted nutritional support is one of the easiest ways to help fill gaps and support overall health.
Especially if you are feeding homemade.
Supplements Mentioned
| Supplement | Pet | Purpose Mentioned |
| Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine ADVANCED PLUS Health Formula | Dogs | Supports diet balance, joint health, skin health, gut health, immune health |
| Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula | Cats | Supports diet balance and overall feline nutrition |
I see nutritional support as much less controversial than arguing about vegan versus raw versus conventional food.
Most pets can benefit from better nutrient support.
Especially if their diet is not ideal.
Vegan Dog Diet: Pros and Cons
Pros
A nutritionally complete vegan dog diet may:
- Be a legitimate option for some dogs
- Be less hazardous than raw diets in some ways
- Avoid raw meat pathogen concerns
- Help families concerned about food costs
- Align with environmental or animal welfare concerns
- Be linked with good health outcomes in the survey study
Cons
A vegan dog diet may:
- Be risky if not nutritionally complete
- Require careful formulation
- Not match my personal preference for animal protein
- Not be appropriate for every dog
- Be confusing for pet parents choosing products
- Not apply to cats
Raw Diet: Pros and Cons
Pros
A properly balanced raw or animal-based diet may:
- Provide animal protein
- Match my preferred feeding approach for dogs
- Have appeared healthier than vegan diets in the survey
- Be a strong option if done properly
- Work well as part of a homemade diet plan
Cons
A raw diet may:
- Carry pathogen risk
- Cause nutritional deficiencies if poorly balanced
- Require more education
- Require careful handling
- Not be easy for every family
- Cost more depending on sourcing
Conventional Diet: Pros and Cons
Pros
A conventional diet may:
- Be easy to buy
- Be convenient
- Be familiar to many pet parents
- Be complete on paper
Cons
The survey suggested conventional diets were linked with poorer overall health outcomes than raw meat or vegan diets.
Conventional diets may also be:
- Highly processed
- Fed daily for years without variety
- Less ideal for some pets
- Not the best option if a dog has chronic health issues
What Should Pet Parents Do?
Here is my practical advice.
For Dogs
If you can feed a balanced animal-based, raw, or homemade diet, I still think that is best.
If you cannot, a nutritionally complete vegan dog food may be a legitimate option.
If you feed conventional food, consider improving the diet with whole food additions and nutritional support.
For Cats
Cats need animal protein.
Do not feed cats a vegan diet.
Support their diet with appropriate feline nutrition, including animal-based protein and targeted supplementation if needed.
For Homemade Diets
If you make your pet’s food at home, balance matters.
Use education.
Use guidance.
Use appropriate supplementation.
Do not guess your way through nutrition and hope your dog’s liver, joints, skin, and gut send a thank-you card.
Diet changes can be very helpful.
But they need to be done thoughtfully.
Final Thoughts
Can pets go vegan?
For dogs, maybe.
If the diet is nutritionally complete, a vegan dog food may be a legitimate option for some families.
The PLOS ONE survey of 2,536 dogs suggested nutritionally sound vegan diets may be linked with better health outcomes than conventional meat-based diets and may be less hazardous than raw diets.
But dogs on raw meat diets appeared healthier than vegan-fed dogs in the survey.
And if you can feed your dog animal protein, raw, or homemade food properly, that is still my personal preference.
For cats, my answer is simple.
No vegan cat food.
Cats need animal protein to survive.
I will keep feeding animal-based protein to any dog I have.
But I am also open to the idea that for some dogs, in some homes, a nutritionally complete vegan diet may be okay.
Not ideal for everyone.
Not for cats.
But maybe okay for some dogs.
And in pet nutrition, “maybe okay” is sometimes where honest conversations begin.
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P.S. Before we all toss the beef, remember this line:
Dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than dogs on vegan diets.
So if you can feed animal protein, raw, or homemade, my opinion is still that this is best.
But with rising food costs and a changing world, a nutritionally complete vegan dog food may be a legitimate option for some dogs.
Cats, though?
No.
Cats need animal protein.
Please do not send me vegan cat food and expect applause.
P.P.S. If you want an easy way to support your dog or cat’s diet, especially if you are feeding homemade, look at targeted nutritional support.
Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Canine ADVANCED PLUS Health Formula and Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Feline Health Formula can help support joint health, skin health, gut health, immune health, and overall nutrition.
That part is much less controversial.
