Reasons Not To Feed Your Dog A Vegan Diet
Can Your Dog Be Vegan
Even if they can, should they be?
Vegan Dogs
Surprisingly, I get this question pretty often. Usually, it’s from someone who has begun a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle for themselves or their family. They believe there is some moral justification to eliminate meats from the diet to save the planet.
Listen, I know that there are some horrible treatment issues for the livestock on our planet. How they a treated from birth to processing. There are many things our food industries could do better if they were willing to forgo some profits & consumers pushed for better results & quality and fewer discounts.
But forcing your dog into a diet that is not biologically appropriate for them is not the way to push your cause.
Why Dogs Should NOT Be Vegan: The Facts You Need to Know
As a holistic pet health coach, I often talk with pet parents who want the very best for their furry family members. Sometimes, this leads to questions about vegan diets for dogs. It’s understandable—many of us want to make choices that align with our ethical values or environmental concerns. But when it comes to our dogs, the truth is clear: a vegan diet does not meet their biological needs and may even harm their health over time.
Let’s explore why dogs should not be vegan, backed by science and common sense.
Dogs Are Carnivores (With a Twist)
Many argue that dogs are carnivores, designed to eat meat—and they’re right!
Dogs’ digestive systems are shorter than herbivores, designed to efficiently process meat rather than fibrous plants.
While dogs can digest some carbohydrates, their ability to convert plant-based nutrients into bioavailable forms (like Vitamin D or essential amino acids) is limited.
I recommend balanced approach. Including small amounts of plant matter—about 10-15% of their total intake—can provide benefits like phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. These support wellness and recovery. But plant matter should never replace meat as your dog’s primary source of protein, fats, or omega-3s.
Dogs Are NOT True Omnivores
Yes, dogs can eat and digest some plant material. But that doesn’t make them true omnivores like humans. Their dietary needs are deeply rooted in their carnivorous ancestry. Here’s the difference:
Protein from Plants vs. Meat: While plants contain protein, the amino acid profiles are incomplete and often poorly matched to what dogs need. Animal proteins, on the other hand, are perfectly balanced for canine health.
Bioavailability of Nutrients: Nutrients like calcium, omega-3s, and vitamins (especially B12 and D) are far more bioavailable in animal-based sources than in plants. Your dog’s body cannot utilize plant-based nutrients as effectively.
Let me put it plainly: It is NOT the same. Louder for those in the back—IT IS NOT THE SAME.
What Is a Biologically Appropriate Diet for Dogs?
A biologically appropriate diet for dogs centers on fresh, raw (or gently cooked) meat, complemented by small amounts of plant matter. This mirrors the diet of their wild ancestors and is supported by modern nutritional science. Here’s what it includes:
High-Quality Animal Proteins: Beef, chicken, turkey, fish, and more.
Organs and Offal: Nutrient-rich organs like liver and kidney provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Fats: Critical for energy, skin health, and hormone production.
Bones and Tissues: Provide natural calcium and phosphorus in the correct ratios.
Plant Matter (in moderation): Fruits and vegetables for added fiber and antioxidants.
Dogs thrive on this balance. A diet made entirely of plants? Not so much.
The Risks of a Vegan Diet for Dogs
Switching your dog to a vegan diet can have serious consequences. Here’s what you need to know:
Dogs require specific nutrients, such as taurine, vitamin B12, EPA/DHA (Omega-3s), and bioavailable iron, which are predominantly found in animal tissues
High-Fiber Diets May Harm Digestion
Excessive fiber from plant-based foods can lead to gas, bloating, and diarrhea, making your dog uncomfortable and reducing nutrient absorption.
Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies Are Likely
Because many of the nutrients dogs require are not found in plant-matter, Vitamins and Minerals are usually supplemented in Vegan Diets. This supplementation is usually synthetic – NOT whole food sources. Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals are generally less bioavailable, meaning they are not well-absorbed.
Dogs fed vegan diets often lack Vitamin B12 (critical for neurological health) and Vitamin D (essential for bone and immune health).
Protein Deficiencies Can Develop
Plant proteins lack the complete amino acid profiles found in animal proteins. Missing amino acids like taurine and methionine can cause heart issues, muscle loss, and immune dysfunction.
Amino Acid Profiles Are Incomplete
Animal proteins provide all the essential amino acids in the right proportions. Plant proteins do not, even when combined.
Essential Fatty Acids Are Different
Omega-3s and omega-6s from meat are critical for your dog’s skin, coat, and brain health. Plant-based sources, like flaxseed, require inefficient conversion to be useful.
Legumes and Heart Health Risks
Ingredients like peas, lentils, and beans—common in vegan dog foods—have been linked to taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition.
Supplementation Is Required
A vegan diet demands synthetic supplements to meet nutritional needs. This is far from natural and carries risks of imbalance or overdose.
Starch Digestibility Is Poor
Dogs lack the enzymes needed to efficiently break down starch-heavy vegan diets, leading to long-term digestive strain.
Most commercially available vegan dog foods are ultra-processed
Relying on synthetic additives, fillers, and artificial flavors to meet nutritional guidelines. Feeding processed foods—vegan or not—goes against the principles of holistic pet health. It’s really no different than other processed kibble. Only the ingredients differ.
Real-Life Consequences of Vegan Diets
In my practice, I’ve seen dogs on vegan diets develop troubling health issues, including:
Dull, brittle coats and flaky skin
Muscle wasting and energy loss
Digestive distress, including diarrhea and bloating
Heart Problems (linked to taurine deficiency)
Heart problems caused by taurine deficiency
General weakness and illness
When these dogs are transitioned back to a meat-based diet, the improvements are often dramatic. Their coats shine, their energy returns, and their overall health rebounds.
The Ethical Dilemma
Many pet parents consider vegan diets for ethical reasons, wanting to reduce harm to other animals or the environment. These are noble goals, but your dog’s health must come first. Here are some ways to balance your values with your dog’s needs:
Choose Sustainable Meats: Look for ethically raised, humanely treated animals to minimize environmental impact.
Support Local Farmers: Buying from small-scale farms supports ethical practices while ensuring high-quality nutrition for your dog.
The Bottom Line
Your dog is a carnivore, not a human in a fur coat. While they can tolerate small amounts of plant-based foods, their diet must center on high-quality animal proteins, fats, and nutrients to support their health and longevity. Vegan diets, no matter how carefully formulated, fail to meet these biological needs.