Ruby Sandhu explores transitioning dogs to a plant-based diet
(Pictured above, Wyatt, a rescue dog who loves exploring in nature and thrives on a balanced plant-based diet).
Ethical vegans are likely to consider feeding their companion animals a plant-based diet. This decision involves understanding the legal responsibilities, examining the evidence on animal nutrition, addressing misconceptions, and obtaining support for conversations with expert veterinarians (vets), family and friends.
Understanding Legal Responsibilities
Guardians of companion animals have specific legal obligations regarding the welfare of the animals in their care, including under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the UK. Guardians are required to provide a healthy and nutritious diet. If a dog’s diet is poorly planned and lacks essential nutrients, then the guardian could be in violation of this law. Legal consequences may follow if the dog’s welfare is compromised due to a poor diet.
Consulting with veterinary professionals, specifically vet nutritionists, is beneficial when considering a transition to a plant-based diet. Veterinary nutritionists can ensure that the diet is balanced and tailored to the specific needs of the dog, as well as helping animal guardians avoid legal pitfalls.
Discussing home-made food and brands of ready prepared food that have been developed with advice from veterinary nutritionists will reassure your vet that the welfare of the animal in your care has been considered.
Examining Evidence on Animal Nutrition
Scientific evidence shows that dogs, unlike their ancestors, can thrive on plant-based diets if they are properly prepared. Over thousands of years, dogs have evolved from their wolf ancestors into omnivores and are able digest a variety of foods. Veterinary nutritionists, like Dr Malina Fielder confirm the benefits of plant-based diets for dogs, such as improved liver and kidney health, better coat quality and fewer external parasites. Research by Professor Andrew Knight further supports these findings and provides evidence that dogs can thrive on plant-based diets. Professor Knight’s work has also generated wider discussions within the veterinary field and significantly helped validate plant-based nutrition for dogs.
Addressing Misconceptions
There are several common misconceptions about plant-based diets for dogs and it is useful to be able to respond to them.
- Dogs as strict carnivores: Many people believe that dogs need meat to survive. While dogs’ ancestors were carnivores, dogs themselves have evolved into omnivores, capable of digesting and thriving on plant-based diets. With the help of a veterinary nutritionist, dogs can receive all necessary nutrients from plant-based food, and as demonstrated by experts like Dr Fielder and Professor Knight.
- Cruelty concerns: Some people may argue that it’s cruel to feed a dog a ‘vegan’ plant-based diet, but this is only true if the diet is unbalanced and poor. A well-planned plant-based diet, with supplements formulated by an expert veterinary nutritionist, can provide everything a dog needs to stay healthy and thrive. With proper care and expert guidance, dogs can flourish on such diets.
- Vets don’t offer support: Most vets are not specifically trained in nutrition and therefore are not able to advise on a plant-based diet. It is therefore advisable to seek the support of an expert veterinary nutritionist to ensure that the diet is nutritionally complete with the appropriate intake of protein, minerals and vitamins.
Obtaining Support
When transitioning a dog to a plant-based diet, it is essential to have open discussions with your vet. Vets who are not trained in nutrition will be receptive to information and well-regarded research, such as that of Professor Knight, and guidance from a veterinary nutritionist, such as Dr Malina Fielder.
Be prepared for your vet to raise issues such as the following.
- Protein sources: Vets may worry about protein deficiency in plant-based diets, but plant-based protein can meet a dog’s needs when supplemented with Methionine, Taurine and Carnitine. Discussing the specific diet plan with the vet, introducing your vet to well-balanced meat-free alternatives and sharing your own research with your vet can help them feel more confident about your approach.
- Urinary crystals: A plant-based diet can make a dog’s urine more alkaline, which may increase the risk of struvites - urinary crystals, and this is a key risk for cats. Regular monitoring of urine pH and providing a diet already supplemented with methionine is by in itself a prevention measure, as well as discussing other preventive measures with the vet can mitigate this risk.
- Minerals and fatty acids: Any diet, including plant-based or traditional meat-based diets, might need to be supplemented with essential minerals, vitamins and fatty acids. Sharing information about supplements designed for plant-based diets will reassure the vet that the dog’s nutritional needs are being met.
- Phytates: Plant-based diets may contain phytates, which can bind to minerals and prevent absorption. A veterinary nutritionist can provide guidance on how to deactivate phytates through meal preparation, ensuring a proper nutrient intake.
- Transition process: Transitioning a dog to a new diet should be done gradually. A slow introduction of plant-based food, starting with 10% of the new diet mixed with the current one, allows the dog’s digestive system to adapt. Keeping the vet informed during the process, monitoring the dog’s health and conducting regular blood tests can help ensure a smooth transition.
In conclusion, feeding a companion animal a plant-based diet is a decision that involves the consideration of legal obligations, nutritional evidence, addressing common misconceptions, and seeking support from veterinarians and others. Trusted plant-based food, combined with guidance from veterinary nutritionists, can make this transition safe and beneficial for the animal.
(Pictured above: Bono, Ruby’s companion animal who was plant-based for over 12 years and thrived on the diet.)
Ruby Sandhu LLM, MSc, MSoM, FRSA, Ethical Vegan & Senior Lawyer.
Ruby can be contacted by writing to info[at]shevega[dot]com
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
