NEW! PLANT-BASED RESEARCH FOR DOGS - QUICK LINKS!
🌱 Plant-Based Diets for Dogs – What the Evidence (and Media) Say
As more research emerges and public interest grows, it's becoming undeniable: plant-based diets (especially a NON-kibble diet like Virchew) when properly formulated, can support a dog's long-term health while reducing their environmental pawprint.
Below is our special curated roundup of health research, environmental impact studies, and recent media coverage to help you explore the truth beyond the bowl.
✅ HEALTH BENEFITS – BACKED BY RESEARCH
Organized from most recent to oldest
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2024 – Dogs fed vegan diets had the best overall health outcomes compared to conventional or raw diets, with fewer health disorders
Heliyon – ScienceDirect -
2024 – A controlled trial confirmed dogs remained healthy on diets with up to 45% pulse inclusion (peas, lentils), replacing grains and meat
Journal of Nutritional Science – ScienceDirect -
2023 – Dogs maintained excellent health for a full year on a complete plant-based diet featuring pea protein
Pet Food Industry -
2022 – Survey by Omni (UK) found major health improvements in dogs fed a vegan diet, including better digestion, reduced anxiety, and improved coat health
Vegconomist -
2022 – Peer-reviewed study of 1,201 dogs revealed plant-based fed dogs were less prone to health disorders and lived up to 1.5 years longer
ScienceDaily summary | Fortune Journals PDF -
2022 – Dogs on vegan diets had fewer vet visits and were less likely to suffer from gastrointestinal, skin, and age-related issues
Earth.com -
2022 – Nutrient absorption on a vegan diet shown to be excellent with appropriate formulation
Vecado Study -
2022 – Comprehensive meta-analysis of 16 peer-reviewed studies confirms plant-based diets are associated with equal or better health outcomes
Frontiers in Veterinary Science -
2022 – British Veterinary Association ends opposition to vegan dog food, confirming it can meet nutritional needs
Plant Based News -
2016–2020 – V-Dog blog compiles evidence showing reduced cancer, arthritis, allergies, and diabetes on vegan diets
V-Dog Blog -
Ongoing – Survey of 1,189 North American guardians: dogs on vegan diets less likely to suffer GI, liver, and eye disorders; lived longer
SustainablePetFood.info -
2013 – Dogs genetically adapted to digest starch and thrive on plant-based foods, showing co-evolution with humans
Nature
🌍 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT – A GROWING CONCERN
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2024 – In-depth op-ed on the massive carbon footprint of traditional pet food and the promise of plant-based alternatives
Plant Based News – Opinion Piece - 2023 - The relative benefits for environmental sustainability of vegan diets for dogs, cats and people
- 2023 - The Environmental Impact of Pets: Working Towards Sustainable Pet Ownership
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2022 – Illustrated breakdown of how feeding pets meat-based diets contributes significantly to climate change
Vox Comic Feature -
2017 – Research estimates U.S. dogs and cats create 64 million tons of CO₂ annually due to meat-heavy diets
PLOS One Study
🗞️ RECENT MEDIA & POP CULTURE SPOTLIGHT
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2025 – The Netherlands - TV Programme
“The dietary ecological footprint of an average dog.”
A compelling article discussing ethics, veterinary support, and firsthand results.
Read or Watch it here → May have to translate to English or find it on Instagram
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2024 – The Spectator
“Why My Dog is Vegan – And Yours Should Be Too”
A compelling article discussing ethics, veterinary support, and firsthand results.
Read it here → -
2024 – Netflix: You Are What You Eat (Docuseries)
“Can Dogs Live on a Plant-Based Diet?”
A balanced, science-based episode exploring whether dogs can thrive without meat.
Watch it here → -
Ongoing – V-Dog blog details how agriculture and human co-evolution influenced canine digestion
How Agriculture Changed Dogs’ Diets – V-Dog
