Australian Researchers Find That Dogs on a Vegan Diet Experience Optimal Health

September 10, 2024 TruthUSA

Some experts suggest that the jury is still out on whether a vegan diet is optimal for dogs, and advise consulting a veterinarian before making dietary changes.

A study conducted in Australia found that dogs fed vegan diets had lower incidences of illness, required less medication, and had fewer visits to the vet compared to those fed meat.

Researchers from Griffith University examined the health outcomes of 2,536 dogs and observed that those on vegan diets were consistently rated as healthier by both owners and veterinarians, with reduced instances of illness and health issues.

According to Veterinary Professor Andrew Knight, vegan dogs exhibited the best health outcomes in this extensive study.

“Nutritionally balanced vegan diets provide significant environmental benefits, which is great news for dog owners looking to protect the environment while prioritizing their dogs’ health,” he stated.

However, it is essential to ensure that diets are nutritionally complete by checking package labels and purchasing from reputable pet food companies.

The study, titled “Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported health outcomes in 2,536 dogs, after controlling for canine demographic factors,” was published in the journal Heliyon.

How Did the Study Work?

To compare the health of dogs on meat and vegan diets, the researchers surveyed dogs fed each respective diet for at least one year.

Of the dogs surveyed, 54% were fed conventional meat, 33% raw meat, and 13% a vegan diet for at least a year.

The researchers assessed the occurrence of 22 different health disorders in the dogs based on veterinary evaluations.

“The proportions of dogs considered to have suffered from health disorders were: 49% for conventional meat, 43% for raw meat, and 36% for vegan diets,” the authors explained in their research paper.

“The probabilities of suffering from a disorder appeared highest in dogs fed conventional meat for 11 disorders, raw meat for eight disorders, and vegan diets for three disorders.”

Dogs on vegan diets experienced significant reductions in the risk of seven general indicators of illness compared to those on conventional meat diets.

“These reductions ranged from 14.4% to 51.3% compared to dogs on meat-based diets. Vegan diets were also associated with a 50% to 61% risk reduction for specific disorders compared to conventional meat diets,” the researchers noted.

“When combined with existing studies, vegan dog food consistently showed lower risks of multiple specific health disorders.

“No health disorder was found to be more prevalent in dogs on vegan diets.”

The global market for vegan pet products was valued at US$8.7 billion (A$13.1 billion) in 2020 and is projected to reach US$15.7 billion by 2028.

Increasing concerns about animal welfare and sustainability are driving the development of alternatives such as “in vitro meat products” and pet foods incorporating various protein sources like terrestrial plants, insects, fungi, yeast, and seaweed, with the vegan pet food market being the most advanced.

The Debate Continues

Former President of the British Veterinary Association, Justine Shotton, pointed out that the debate continues regarding the benefits of vegan diets for dogs in an editorial published on July 24.

While acknowledging that vegan pet diets may include synthetic supplements and nutrients, she emphasized the need for robust scientific evidence to determine their long-term safety for pets.

“Before we can confidently recommend vegan diets as safe and suitable for a wider pet population, we need substantial evidence from large-scale, long-term scientific studies feeding cats and dogs balanced vegan diets with appropriate supplements throughout their lives to assess the impact on their health,” she explained.

Shotton advised pet owners to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to their pet’s diet, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet tailored to the individual pet’s age, health, weight, and lifestyle.

Another study from the University of Liverpool challenged the alleged benefits of vegan diets for dogs.

“Researchers from the university re-examined data used to support claims that a nutritionally balanced vegan diet is the healthiest and safest dietary choice for dogs,” the University of Liverpool stated in a 2024 press release.

“The findings from this reanalysis do not substantiate those earlier claims, showing minimal associations between owner perceptions of dog health and the use of vegan diets.”

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