The benefits of going vegan are regularly hammered home to us, and now a new study claims that dogs should be ditching meat too.
Researchers from the University of Winchester studied the diets of more than 2,500 dogs to understand the link between diet and health outcomes.
Their findings suggest that vegan diets may be healthier and safer for dogs than conventional or raw meat-based diets.
‘Regardless of ingredients used, diets should always be formulated to be nutritionally complete and balanced, without which adverse health effects may eventually be expected to occur,’ the researchers wrote.
The benefits of going vegan are regularly hammered home to us, and now a new study claims that dogs should be ditching meat too (stock image)
In the study, the team set out to investigate whether vegan diets are beneficial for dogs.
‘Vegan diets are among a range of alternative diets being formulated to address increasing concerns of consumers about traditional pet foods, such as their ecological “pawprint”, perceived lack of “naturalness”, health concerns, or impacts on “food” animals used to formulate such diets,’ the researchers wrote in their study, published in PLOS ONE.
‘Critics have asserted, albeit without evidence, that biological and practical challenges in formulating nutritionally adequate canine vegan diets mean their use should not be recommended.’
The researchers surveyed 2,536 dog owners about their pet’s diet and general health, including the number of visits to the vet, their medication use, and any health disorders.
An analysis of the results revealed that overall, dogs on conventional diets were less healthy than pups on raw meat or vegan diets.
And while dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than those on vegan diets, the researchers say there are several factors that prevent a conclusion that raw meat diets are healthier.
Firstly, they say that the dogs in the study on raw meat diets were significantly younger than pups on vegan diets, which explains why they appeared to be healthier.
This graph shows whether or not dogs were on any medication, Dogs on conventional diets (blue) were most likely to be on a medication
Meanwhile, dogs on raw meat diets were less likely to be taken to the vet.
While this could be a sign that they are healthier, previous studies have suggested that owners of dogs on raw meat diets are less likely to seek veterinary advice.
The authors said: ‘We believe our study of 2,536 dogs is by far the largest study published to date, exploring health outcomes of dogs fed vegan and meat-based diets.’
Based on the findings, the team suggests that further research is needed to confirm whether raw meat or vegan diets are better or dogs.
Despite the findings, the British Veterinary Association says that it does not recommend putting your dog on a vegan, or even vegetarian diet
‘When considering health outcomes in conjunction with dietary hazards, the pooled evidence to date from our study, and others in the field, indicates that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, among conventional, raw meat and vegan diets, are nutritionally sound vegan diets,’ they added.
Despite the findings, the British Veterinary Association says that it does not recommend putting your dog on a vegan, or even vegetarian diet.
In a blog earlier this year, Justine Shotton, president of the British Veterinary Association, said: ‘Dogs are omnivores, which means that they eat both meat and plant products.
‘While it is theoretically possible, the British Veterinary Association does not recommend giving a dog a vegetarian or a vegan diet as it is much easier to get the balance of essential nutrients wrong than to get it right.
‘My advice is to always talk to your vet before changing any aspect of your pet’s diet – problems can result from all sorts of non-traditional diets, including vegan diets but also raw meat diets, feeding bones, and home-made diets.’
Last year, the Blue Cross warned that dog owners could be jailed and slapped with a £20,000 fine for breaking the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if they put their pets on a vegetarian diet.
The legislation says pets must be given a ‘suitable diet’ which paves the way for prosecution if experts deem meatless meals inapt.
Pet owners who feed their dogs and cats vegan or vegetarian food only claim it’s changed their lives as their animals ‘lost weight, had more energy and looked years younger’
Pet owners who feed their dogs and cats vegan or vegetarian food only have said it had changed their lives as their animals ‘lost weight, had more energy and looked years younger’.
Holly Johnson, who has a ten-year-old cocker spaniel called Charlie who is vegan like her and her daughter, said: ‘Like many of us, Charlie put on weight during lockdown and subsequently developed health problems, including difficulty getting up the stairs.
‘He’s 10 years old, so it was important he lost weight to keep him fit and healthy into old age.
‘After doing some research and talking to a friend, I switched him from a traditional meat dog food to an organic vegan one.
‘He lost weight, has more energy and acts like he’s two years old again. It’s the best thing we could have done for him – and it’s better for the environment too.’
Holly Johnson has a ten-year-old cocker spaniel called Charlie who is vegan like her and her daughter
Hannah Brown has two King Charles cavaliers called Coco, nine, and Sophie, two.
She said: ‘Both my dogs are vegan, I love all Ananias’s and it’s hypocritical to slaughter other animals to feed to pets.
‘My dogs are thriving on a vegan diet, have more energy, coat is shiny, my 9 year old is looking years younger than she actually is.
‘It’s a joke that people breaking the ‘Animal welfare act’ by feeding their dogs a diet which does not constitute of pain and suffering of the animals used to make this food.
‘Maybe the animal welfare act should focus on the welfare of the animals who are slaughtered in the billions rather than pet owners who are not being hypocritical.’
Hannah Brown is pictured feeding one of her King Charles cavaliers vegan food in the car
Hannah Brown has two King Charles cavaliers called Coco, nine, and Sophie, two, who are not fed meat
Francesca Blunt said she feeds her cat Ace a vegan diet and said he was ‘very healthy’.
She said: ‘I actually don’t own a dog but I feed my cat a vegan diet. He is very healthy, 11 months old are very big for his age.
‘He eats on a combination of pre bought vegan dry cat food Benevo. And my partner makes him wet food, consisting of potatoes, fruits and vitamins.
‘He has no health problems. I have just been to ‘vegan camp out’ and there was a stall selling vegan dog food.
‘A lot of vegans feed their animals a plant based diet and looking further into it ‘than what good throws out at you’ if you read study’s you can and they thrive and even some vets agree with it. I expect my cat to outlive cats who eats meat.’
Nigel Clements, who lives on Leyte Island in the Philippines, said he gives his dog Jeanne d’Arc a mixture of vegetables and boiled meats.
He said: ‘Here dogs, cats too, are lucky if they get fed at all beyond a thin rice gruel with leftovers and that just once a day and most likely out of unwashed bowls.
‘My four legged daughter whom I rescued at three weeks when she was orphaned has grown on a mixed diet… boiled meats, oatmeal, kibble, goat’s milk, and those fruits and veggies that are beneficial.
Nigel Clements, who lives on Leyte Island in the Philippines, said he gives his dog Jeanne d’Arc (pictured) a mixture of vegetables and boiled meats
‘Boiled potato, sweet potato and tops, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, bitter gourd, pumpkin, pear squash… in small amounts and combined in rotation. It is about 7½ per cent of her diet mixed with her wet food and boiled meats.
‘Fruits, again in smaller portions especially the sugar rich ones: apple, watermelon, banana, pineapple, pear, an orange slice, blueberries & mango.
‘She is flourishing and has a Crufts class shining coat. ‘Common sense is what is necessary here. Dogs are carnivores. They do not need additional carbohydrates.
‘Though I have seen claims that making a diet 30 per cent veggies and fruit will add a couple of years to a dog’s life.’
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