The Science Is Out With Published Papers – Plant-Based Is Healthier For Your Dog!
Prof Andrew Knight and colleagues (Huang E, Rai N, Brown H) published a groundbreaking research paper on the 13th April 2022 that stated from the findings of 2639 dogs, that “the pooled evidence to date indicates that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, are nutritionally sound vegan diets.”In October 2023, Prof Knight published a further groundbreaking paper that showed the effect if all dogs went plant-based, it would save more green house gases than all those emitted by the UK! Listen to the podcast below.The clip below was taken from ITV News on 26th November 21 with Prof Andrew Knight stating the science behind feeding plant-based to our dogs and it is SO positive!
Prof Andrew Knight published further proof in June 2021 for the very first time, proving that a plant-based diet is as palatable to our dogs as meat-based or even raw meat-based foods!
The palatability of a plant-based diet is such a huge consideration for us as dog owners as the feeding of our pets is such an emotional decision based on the love we have for our pets balanced with a need to ensure that we are feeding them correctly.
We have to commend Prof Andrew Knight for this extensive study, by far the largest of its kind, that surveyed 4,060 dog and cat owners with the following results:
“This is truly groundbreaking. It has long been believed that cats and dogs need to eat other animals for their own health, but what they really need is the right nutrients, which can be manufactured using plant-based, yeast, synthetic and mineral sources. This study shows that cats and dogs appear equally happy when fed vegan meals. We’ve become accustomed to buying meat-based pet food by default – it’s become a habit – but we know now that it’s not a necessity.” says Jimmy Pierson, Director, ProVeg UK.
Read the full article below proving that our dogs are as happy being fed a plant-based diet as any other diet!
Poppy transitioned from a raw diet to a 100% plant-based diet and the video shown is proof of how much she loves her food!
Evidence Based Medicine
Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and haematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year
Linde A, Lahiff M, Krantz A et al. (2023). Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and haematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year. 21 Feb. 2023. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.02.18.525405v1
Prof Knight's papers and Dr Sarah's Dodd's papers peer reviewed
The latest published paper from Australia and Mexico is therefore even more important as they had to conclude from all the evidence that –
Domínguez-Oliva et al. (2023) concluded, “there was no overwhelming evidence of adverse effects arising from use of [vegan pet food] and there was some evidence of benefits. … Much of these data were acquired from guardians via survey-type studies, but these can be subject to selection biases, as well as subjectivity around the outcomes. However, these beneficial findings were relatively consistent across several studies and should, therefore, not be disregarded.”
Knight et al. (2022) studied 2,536 dogs fed vegan or meat-based diets for at least one year
Survey of 2,536 mostly European dog guardians (owners)
Knight et al. (2022) studied 2,536 dogs fed vegan or meat-based diets for at least one year. Being a very large-scale study, these results confer a high degree of statistical reliability. Included were guardian opinions of health – which are not always reliable – as well as a range of more objective data, such as prevalence of medication usage. Many different indicators of health were pooled. The researchers concluded that the healthiest and least hazardous diets for dogs are nutritionally sound vegan diets.
The Impact of Vegan Diets on Indicators of Health in Dogs and Cats
They concentrated specifically on this fact that – “Much of these data were acquired from guardians via survey-type studies, but these can be subject to selection biases, as well as subjectivity around the outcomes.” ie they had to look at the results subjectively as the answers came from vegan owners themselves who were so passionate about the diet and wanting every result to be positive.
This latest published paper from Australia and Mexico is therefore even more important as they had to conclude from all the evidence that –
Domínguez-Oliva et al. (2023) concluded, “there was no overwhelming evidence of adverse effects arising from use of [vegan pet food] and there was some evidence of benefits. … Much of these data were acquired from guardians via survey-type studies, but these can be subject to selection biases, as well as subjectivity around the outcomes. However, these beneficial findings were relatively consistent across several studies and should, therefore, not be disregarded.”
They advised, “… if guardians wish to feed their companion animals vegan diets, a cautious approach should be taken using commercially produced diets which have been formulated considering the nutritional needs of the target species.” [ie. that are nutritionally-sound].
How very positive saying that “there was no overwhelming evidence of adverse effects arising from the use of vegan pet food and there was some evidence of benefits.”
Reported Health Benefits of a Vegan Dog Food - Dr Mike Davies (2022)
Royal Veterinary College Specialist in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, Dr Mike Davies has finally had his successful study published showing the effects of a nutritionally sound vegan dog food diet on 100 dogs fed this diet over 3 – 12 months.
The results came back showing that clear improvements were reported in coat glossiness, dandruff, itchiness, external ear canal crusting, faecal consistency, anti-social smell and anxiety.
Owner perception of health of North American dogs fed meat- or plant-based diets Dr Sarah Dodd (2022)
Dogs on a nutritionally sound vegan diet could live up to 18 months longer than on a meat-based diet
Plant-based versus meat-based pet foods: Owner-reported palatability behaviours
Latest proof that vegan dog food diets are as palatable as meat-based or even raw in this significant study carried out during 2020 and published by Prof Andrew Knight in June 2021
Veterinary masters theses
Semp (2014) and Keimer (2019 – 250 dogs, 40 for clinical examinations and haematology) also demonstrated equivalent or superior health outcomes for vegan dogs.
New Scientist Meat-Free Mutts and Moggies
What is so exciting about this article published in Sept 2022 in New Scientist, is that they have fully embraced all of Prof Knight’s latest studies and highlighted all the findings in our dogs with feeding a nutritionally balanced plant-based diet. The article mentions how balanced vegan dog food diets can have these effects on our dogs –
- Live longer
- Have lower incidences of gastric disorders
- Better body conditions as less cases of obesity
- Overall better health
- As palatable as meat-based diets
- Less veterinary visits
- Lack of bacteria in or on the food
- More effort made to ensure vegan dog food diets are nutritionally sound
Plant-based diets for pets: A survey of pet owner attitudes and feeding practices
Abstract
People who avoid eating animals tend to share their homes with animal companions, and moral dilemma may arise when they are faced with feeding animal products to their omnivorous dogs and carnivorous cats. One option to alleviate this conflict is to feed pets a diet devoid of animal ingredients—a ‘plant-based’ or ‘vegan’ diet.
Dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet
A fascinating study proving how mutations in key genes occurred allowing increased starch digestion in dogs relative to wolves. These results indicate that early ancestors of modern dogs could thrive on a diet rich in starch which constituted a crucial step in the early domestication of dogs.
Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats
This article discusses adverse food reactions, hypoallergenic diets, the most common allergens in dogs and cats and therapy
Sprint-racing huskies
Very few dogs have greater energy needs than sprint-racing huskies. Accordingly, a 2009 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition compared the health, and in particular, the haematological parameters (focusing on red blood cell counts) of six such dogs with six others maintained on a commercial meat-based diet for 16 weeks, including 10 weeks of competitive racing.
Haematology results for all dogs were within the normal range throughout the study and the consulting vet assessed all dogs to be in excellent physical condition. No dogs developed anaemia. On the contrary, red blood cell counts and haemoglobin values increased significantly over time in both groups.
Diet Shaped Dog Domestication
They now produce longer chains of specific digestive enzymes that are adapted for digesting starches and grains – not meat.