Study gives a thumbs up to carefully formulated vegan diets for dogs

Pet owners today are more conscious of the type of food they feed their dogs, with vegan formulations gaining popularity. However, it is essential to ensure that these diets are safe and nutritionally adequate for dogs. Researchers at the University of Illinois have conducted a study to test the efficacy of vegan diets for dogs, confirming that two human-grade, lightly cooked vegan diets provide adequate nutrition for dogs.

Background

The pet food market today is vast, with products to match nearly every lifestyle, value system, and price point pet owners demand. Vegan formulations have become increasingly popular, with many pet owners interested in feeding their pets a vegan diet that aligns with their personal values. However, there is a need to test the safety and nutritional adequacy of these diets, as with all other pet foods.

Study Methods and Results

The research team at the University of Illinois tested two human-grade vegan formulas from Bramble against a leading brand chicken-based kibble diet. They fed the diets to beagles for three weeks and sampled the dogs' blood chemistry, fecal quality, and microbiome. The vegan diets were veterinary nutritionist-formulated mixtures of whole foods like lentils, garbanzo beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apples, blueberries, peas, and carrots. The study confirmed that both vegan diets and the chicken-based diet met standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for "complete and balanced" nutrition.

The research team found that certain blood metabolites differed between the vegan diets and the chicken-based diet. Blood triglycerides and cholesterol, measures of circulating fats, were significantly lower in dogs fed the vegan diets. The fecal microbiome and the chemicals produced by those microbes also showed more positive changes, with beneficial shifts from a gut health perspective in dogs fed the vegan diets.

Discussion and Conclusion

The study results are promising, with the vegan diets showing desirable fecal characteristics, high nutrient digestibilities, and positive changes to certain blood and fecal metabolites. The research team notes that animals do not have ingredient requirements, but nutrient requirements. As long as they are consuming the essential nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios, dogs can be vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eaters. However, knowledge of ingredient composition and nutrient needs is critical, and homemade vegan dog foods may not provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.

Pet owners interested in feeding their pets a vegan diet that aligns with their personal values can consider the diets tested in this study. However, it is essential to note that these diets were formulated by veterinary nutritionists and carefully tested to ensure they provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. Pet owners should consult their veterinarians before making any significant dietary changes for their pets. Further research is necessary to compare the efficacy of human-grade diets with and without meat and dairy products.

Journal Information: Leah J Roberts et al, Apparent Total Tract Macronutrient Digestibility of Mildly-Cooked Human-Grade Vegan Dog Foods and Their Effects on the Blood Metabolites and Fecal Characteristics, Microbiota, and Metabolites of Adult Dogs, Journal of Animal Science (2023). DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad093