Trends come and go, but there’s been a slow and steady rise in the number of people adopting a vegan lifestyle and a significant growth in vegan dog diets.
The growth in vegan dog diets is unmistakable and there are suggestions that over the next few years, numbers will significantly increase further.
But what’s behind the recent surge in interest? And will the growth in vegan dog diets really continue – or will it die away as quickly as it arose?
We take a closer look at what’s been driving plant-based pet food and consider whether this is a change that’s set to last.
What Has Influenced the Growth in Vegan Dog Diets?
Contrary to popular opinion, vegan dog diets are not new. Owners from all around the world have been feeding their pooches on a plant-based diet for centuries. In fact, the very first vegan dog food was made available in the UK in 1980.
There’s a misconception that a plant-based diet for dogs is a recent fad. The reality is that it’s been around for many years, and followed with great success. What is newer is the science and understanding of why vegan food is so much healthier.
Veterinary Professor Andrew Knight has been one of the leading names carrying out large studies into vegan dog food, but he’s not the only scientist working in this field.
Evidence for the benefits of a plant-based diet has quietly started to accumulate, especially over the last two decades and there are now multiple studies, such as this one from 2020, which back up Professor Knight’s findings.
Better understanding of the canine digestive system, proof that a vegan diet can be followed over an extended period without any ill effects and increasing support from vets have all helped the growth in vegan dog diets and the promotion of plant-based food as a viable alternative for dogs.
There have been high profile cases too with famous owners changing their dogs to a vegan diet. And in the era of the social influencer, this kind of narrative is incredibly powerful.
One such example of an influencer who has supported the growth in vegan dog diets is Lewis Hamilton, the famous Formula 1 motor racing champion. After being devastated after the death of one of his dogs, he was determined to do everything he could to look after his remaining pet.
Lewis has been a vegan since approximately 2017 and was heartbroken when his dog Coco died after suffering a suspected heart attack. Roscoe, his surviving dog, is a British bulldog who has been with the racing driver since 2013. Fans will have regularly posted Roscoe at the track, but the pooch hasn’t been without his own health problems.
Weighing in at a hefty 30kg, Roscoe suffered from allergies, wasn’t able to walk far and had joint problems. Like many other British bulldogs, he also struggled to breathe well at times.
Concerned about his beloved dog’s health, Lewis started to research whether there could be a better option for canine nutrition – and discovered vegan dog food.
Lewis shared the transition very publicly on his Instagram account, and fans have been able to follow the progress Roscoe has made. Now fully switched over to a vegan diet, Lewis reports that Roscoe is like a new dog.
He no longer suffers from shortness of breath so frequently, nor the common throat restrictions often seen in the breed. His allergy symptoms have resolved, his paws are no longer swollen and Roscoe enjoys running around just like a young puppy! Bursting with energy, leaner and seemingly free of pain, Lewis believes the transformation in his dog is entirely due to introducing a vegan diet.
The Environmental Impact on Pet Food Production
The health and wellbeing of the dog is one of the primary reasons that has contributed to the growth in vegan dog diets, but the impact on the environment is a very close second.
Climate change and protecting the planet has become a hot talking point, with the world’s population being urged to change their habits to try and preserve the environment.
It’s widely recognised that a meat-based diet is not as eco friendly as being a vegan, and this has driven the uptake of plant food in humans. However, the same principles apply to pet food, and that has been enough to create a swell of interest in environmentally aware pet owners.
Approximately 25% of the environmental impact of producing meat and meat products is due to pet food. Every year an area which is equivalent to twice the size of the UK has to be cleared to create meat-based food for cats and dogs. Clearly, this expansion isn’t sustainable, and farming with animals doesn’t make the best use of space.
Squeezing more animals into smaller spaces isn’t ethical and there’s no potential for vertical farming methods; you can’t stack cows and pigs up in the air in the same way as plants! By clearing more space for animal agriculture, the carbon footprint is increased and many wild animals lose their home too.
A plant-based diet saves around 5000 litres of water, 30 square feet of rainforest, the life of one farm animal and 20kg of grain – and that’s just for one 32kg dog that switches to vegan food.
Water is negatively impacted by animal agriculture too, taking tonnes of water every year and polluting even more.
Taking all of this into account, it’s less of a surprise to learn that many pet owners either feed their dogs a flexitarian diet or have completely transitioned to vegan.
Processed Meat – Has It Accelerated the Growth in Vegan Dog Diets?
Processed meat is quick and easy, and it’s a convenient option for pet owners who have a busy life. Your dog loves it, you don’t need to spend hours prepping it so, what’s the problem?
It would be great if all processed dog food was also super healthy but there are very big question marks about the quality of processed food and the potential impact on your pooch’s wellbeing.
In humans, processed meat is linked to obesity and rising levels of cancer; the more you feed your dog processed meat, the higher this risk rises.
All types of processed meat are high in fat, and this cannot just lead to inflammation in your dog’s gut, it can also irritate the pancreas, leading to an unpleasant and painful condition known as pancreatitis.
When you look at the ingredients of processed meat, it’s not a surprise that it doesn’t bring out the best in your canine. There’s no real control over quality; UK law only stipulates that the ingredients won’t kill or harm your dog instantly.
What that means in practice is that the meat may be past its expiry date, or come from animals which were already sick, dead or dying on the way to the abattoir. By-products can also be thrown in, which could mean the bits of the animal which are hard to eat and digest such as the tail, hooves, or ears. Research has shown that this rather unpleasant concoction can have lasting effects on your dog and that the food you give them may be causing them harm.
Which Big Brands are Moving to Alternative Proteins?
The good news is that vegan dog food is no longer on the sidelines; the legitimate concerns over a meat-based diet and studies into the growth in vegan dog diets have led to some of the bigger brands seeking out alternative proteins.
Protein is, of course, a very important part of a dog’s diet but there’s no need to eat meat to get it. Dedicated vegan brands such as Vegan4dogs, V-Dog, Omni and Vegetal all provide plant-based food for dogs, but they’re no longer the only ones.
Mars, the parent company to lots of top brands including Royal Canin and Pedigree Chum, and Nestle are two of the big brand names which are taking steps to diversify their traditional meat-based approach.
Karma is the first “plant-leading” product that Mars has launched, relying on 60% GMO-free plants mixed with some animal ingredients. It may not be completely vegan, but it drastically cuts the number of animal products in the recipe and the company is committed to exploring the idea further, investing in Wild Earth, a start-up that’s focusing on lab-grown proteins.
Nestle’s Purina brand has also launched a new type of food that’s based on insect protein and broad beans. It’s also acquired Lily’s Kitchen, an alternative pet food company that has a popular range of vegan dog food and snacks.
Global Pet Food Spend Predictions
Although the big-name brands are undoubtedly on board at least in part due to the environmental concerns, and the health of the dogs, the fact that there is growth in vegan dog diets will no doubt have caught their attention too.
The head of the pet nutrition unit at Mars has acknowledged the growth in vegan dog diets by 2025 (the alternative protein pet food market) will have grown by at least 30%.
Other estimates show similar projections in the growth in vegan dog diets, with vegan dog food expected to become even more widely accepted, creating real opportunities in the market of the future.
