Natural Dog Food

Is Vegan Dog Food safe?

All pet food manufacturers, meat and plant-based, their products, and their manufacturing facilities, are regularly inspected. In 1909 the AAFCO, The Association of American Feed Control Officials, was formed. 

This was to ensure our pets were being fed safely, and so that the manufacturing and processing plants adhered to the safety standards they had set. This also applies to all vegan dog food.

They also defined what could and couldn't be added to labels. The words “pure” or “healthy and balanced” for example could not be used unless they met the nutritional claims and standards as defined by the AAFCO. So, if you see these statements on any vegan dog food, organic puppy food, or vegan dog treats, you know they can be trusted!

The AAFCO in their own words is “A voluntary membership association of local, state, and federal agencies. Our members are charged by their local state or federal laws to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feed and animal drug remedies” 

The AAFCO created a process for defining ingredients that are still used today in our animal and pet food, including plant-based dog food, and they also provide specialist training for members and people from the industry.

Vegan Dog Food: 5 protein sources to know

Protein is an important nutrient when it comes to maintaining our health, and the same goes for our furry friends too! Protein helps to repair and regenerate cells in our bodies. Protein is made up of different types of amino acids. Some proteins contain a complete source of amino acids.

Vegan dog food can provide your dog with all of the essential proteins and amino acids they need in their daily diet. All of the protein and amino acids found in a meat-based doggy diet can also be found in a plant-based doggy diet! 

Some of the world's most protein-rich foods are used to make vegan dog food, so you can be sure your precious pooch is getting all the goodness they need from their diet. 

The 5 ingredients that are the densest in protein and amino acids are Soybeans, Peas, Barley, Lentils, and Nuts. Soybeans are one of the most common ingredients in vegan dog food. They, amongst other plant-based ingredients, can provide a complete source of protein and amino acids, to meet your dog's dietary requirements.

The benefits of plant-based dog food

Vegan dog food can offer much more than a can of wet dog food or a bowl of dry kibble. It also brings variety to your dog's diet. Plus many organic and vegan dog food brands now stock products that are hypoallergenic, meaning they contain less of the ingredients your pup may be allergic to.

A recent study by Veterinary Professor Andrew Knight shows that Vegan dog food and vegan puppy food can be just as healthy as, if not more than, a meat-based diet. 

All of the benefits that meat can offer can also be found in a wide range of organic, vegan, and natural dog and puppy food. You can check out this study and others by Professor Andrew Knight here!

Top Vegan Dog food brands

Benovo - Adult Original Plant-based Dog Food

This sustainable vegan kibble is not only made from 27% plant-based protein. It's also wheat-free and enriched with Taurine and L-Carnitine for extra added goodness. Benovo Adult Original Plant-Based Dog Food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is made with 100% non-GMO ingredients.

Ami - Plant-Based Dog Food

This hypoallergenic plant-based dog food is made from a blend of plant proteins, and it’s so beneficial it's also been approved by vets! Ami’s Plant-Based Dog Food contains added essential vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids, and is made from a blend of 100% natural ingredients including corn, rice, peas, and sunflower seeds!

Riley's Organics - Dog Treats

Riley’s Organics Dog Treats are available in an assortment of flavor and size combinations, so you can find the perfect size treat for your pooch, in a flavor that they love! You can choose from small or large-sized treat bones, then just choose from Apple, Pumpkin and Coconut, Sweet Potato, or Peanut Butter. These plant-based dog treats are made with 100% organic human-grade ingredients, and contain no wheat, no corn, and no soy! 

Recipes

One of the other advantages of feeding your dog a vegan dog food diet is that you can create your own vegan dog food and treats very easily! As long as you ensure your furry friend is getting all of the proteins, vitamins, and minerals that they need, you can whip up home-cooked food that your pooch will love! 

There are many fruits and vegetables that are not safe for dogs to eat, so always check that what you feed your dog is ok for them to consume! Onion, garlic, avocados, corn on the cob, and macadamia nuts are just a few things dogs should not be eating! 

But things like rice, lentils, dark leafy greens and vegetables, beans, and quinoa are all excellent sources of natural vitamins and minerals for your furry friend. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs survive on vegan food?

Yes, they can! All of the nutrients, proteins, and minerals that our fur babies need can be found in Vegan Dog Food, not just regular dog food! Meat-free dog diets can also be helpful when it comes to treating a range of digestive problems too. 

As long as your dog's specific dietary needs are being met, then they can thrive off of a plant-based doggy diet. If you need more proof, check out the story of Bramble the vegan dog, who lived until the grand old age of 25! 

Do vegan dogs get enough protein?

As long as you ensure that your dog is being fed a healthy and balanced diet, then yes they will consume enough protein! Lots of the ingredients that can be found in vegan dog food are extremely rich in protein, and many other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Protein plays an important part in growth and health and is especially important for puppies. 

Vegan puppy food is full of natural plant-based proteins to help your fur baby thrive. Vegan puppy food and vegan dog food can also contain natural supplements such as protein-rich nutritional yeast. This adds an extra boost of plant-based power to your doggy’s diet! 

What is in vegan dog food?

Vegan dog food is composed of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, grains, seeds, and any other plant-based food that has not been derived from another animal. All of the ingredients that go into making vegan dog food are pure and healthy, natural, non-GMO, mostly organic, and can cater to every dog's individual dietary requirements. 

Thanks to the super healthy ingredients, and the reduced carbon footprint when manufacturing vegan dog food, some of the biggest names in the dog food industry are now creating their own plant-based vegan dog foods. 

In association with Hills Pet Nutrition, Bond Pet Food is creating a vegan dog food made from cultured protein instead of meat. Not only is this better for our pets, but for sustainability too!

Can my dog eat grains?

When humans started to feed domesticated dogs, their stomachs and digestive tract evolved to enable them to process more things, like starch and sugar that are found in human foods. Plus, not only have their stomachs evolved, but their teeth too! They became flatter and larger, enabling them to chew these new types of food much more easily. 

This allowed them to eat a more varied diet that included some of the world's first farmed crops. Peas, barley, and lentils are all ingredients that are still used in modern doggy diets today, including vegan-dog food, organic puppy food, and plant-based dog food.

There are allergies to consider though. Some breeds are prone to having allergies to grains, yeast, and other dog food ingredients. But there are hypoallergenic options and vegan dog foods that contain no allergens, so you can feed your pet with peace of mind.