Dogs are natural omnivores so this recipe is a great way to feed a little less meat, whilst keeping your pooch’s tummy happy and healthy. Vegan pet food is also more sustainable as they require 90% fewer resources than meat-based pet food. You and your furry friends will want to get your paws into these top plant-based recipes!
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A plant-based diet for your furry buddies can bring many benefits, and there are many pet owners that have ventured to veganism due to the health benefits and sustainability matters. With society’s growing concern and awareness for animal welfare, climate change, and the planet in general, more and more people are embracing a plant-based diet, believing that this way of living would save the environment. And consequently, with the increasing popularity of veganism, there is also an increasing interest in the idea of giving meatless meals to our four-legged friends as well.
If you are living on a plant-based diet, then let us be the bearer of the great news! Now, you can enjoy embracing the same diet habits with your pet. If you’re curious about the best top vegan pet food brands in the market, fret not! Because in this article, we will discuss the benefits of putting your pet on a vegetarian diet, as well as the best brands you should consider buying for your furry friend. Make sure to read further!
Is a vegan diet completely safe for dogs and cats?
Definitely, yes! With proper nutritional planning and care, your pet can enjoy an environmentally-sustainable diet. However, it is important to ensure that their nutritional requirements are fulfilled.
For instance, dogs need two amino acids, taurine, and L-carnitine—substances that are usually found on vegan dog foods or can be given through supplements. On the other hand, cats require taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid, all of which are added to vegan cat foods. Alternatively, these nutrients can be given as supplements on top of their vegan diet.
The controversy of the commercial “meat” pet food
The diet of your dog is a very important choice if you want a long and healthy life for your dog. Whether you choose a vegan diet for your dog or cat or not, at the very least consider reading the ingredients or look up brands with sustainable certifications.
You got to search for no GMO, no wheat, no soy, no fillers, no additives, no preservatives, no artificial colours or flavours. With the vegan versions, of course, no meat.
Vegan dog or cat food makes even more sense once you consider that most mass-market dog food contains animal products that cannot legally be sold for human consumption —sometimes even flesh from diseased or cancer-ridden animals.
There is not much honesty when it comes to pet food, otherwise, look at the graphic below created by the pet food brand Pooch and Mutt:
KEY STATISTICS
- 76%+ of dog food sold in the UK is Mars, Nestle or own-label (source Mintel)
- 87% of the £34m spent on pet food marketing in the UK in 2015 was spent by Mars and Nestle (source Mintel)
By contrast, vegan dog food is typically made from healthy and wholesome ingredients. In fact, you will find that veterinarians frequently recommend vegan diets for dogs afflicted with allergies.
Benefits for pets to go vegan
A vegan diet for a dog or a cat means that they are completely meat-free. Some of the benefits of plant-based pet food are:
- Great for strengthening the immune system.
- Promoting a healthy heart and blood chemistry.
- Vegan dog food is especially helpful to dogs with cholesterol or diabetic issues.
- Vegan snacks can be perfect if you’re looking to keep good weight control of your dog.
- With the necessary minerals and vitamins to support healthy bones and joints.
- Besides the “no meat” label, vegan pet food brands usually include no nasties, such as GMO, wheat, soy, fillers, additives, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours.
Vegan dog food is especially easy to find (unfortunately, we could not find many vegan cat food brands). From reviews across the different pet food products listed here, we see that countless dogs thrive on a diet free of animal products. All of a dog’s nutritional needs can be met through plant and mineral sources.
Note: Please talk to your veterinarian about switching your furry friend to a vegan diet, as they may need supplements. They might also suffer from food allergies which means certain grains and proteins are out of bounds. Checking with your pet’s doctor will ensure a happy transition to a vegan diet without putting their health at risk.
So let’s kickstart with some of the top vegan pet food brands, and to make it easier we have shared estimated prices and the links to help you purchase online!
Top Vegan Cat Food Brands
1. Wysong Vegan
Formulated by an esteemed veterinarian, this meatless vegan cat food contains high contents of fat and protein, and a comprehensive range of micronutrients and nutraceuticals, including probiotics, enzymes, omega-3s, and antioxidants, among others.
Price USD: from $14.99 for 5lbs/2.2kg
2. AMI Cat
This brand is produced using natural ingredients free from slaughterhouse by-products, GMO substances, food dyes, and artificial preservatives. Enriched with taurine, an essential amino acid that can now be produced without using meat, this vegan cat food is developed to maintain a cat’s health, improve hair and muscular health, and improve its shape. This vegan cat food also includes essential nutrients such as vitamin A, arachidonic acid, other amino acids, and B vitamins to fulfill your cat’s nutritional needs.
Price USD: from $20.25 for 3.3lbs/1.5kg
Top Vegan Dog Food Brands
3. Benevo
Made from wheat-free ingredients and plant-based proteins, this vegan dog food is perfect for dogs that have an intolerance to wheat protein, an ingredient commonly found in dry dog foods. The UK-based brand offers vegan dog food specifically formulated for different stages of a dog’s life. Benevo Dog Adult Original has added taurine and L-Carnitine, whereas Benevo Puppy Original has added calcium and vitamins.
Price USD: from $66.56 for 33lbs/15kg
4. PetGuard Organic Vegan Entrée
PetGuard offers vegan canned food formulated with the right balance of essential nutrients, including fats, carbohydrates, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and chelated minerals. The PetGuard Organic Vegan Entrée does not contain high levels of magnesium and sodium; two substances that may be detrimental to your pup’s health. This brand has a version for dogs and for cats!
Range of brands available. Check prices in Shop
5. V-Dog
Lauded by thousands of veterinarians and dog owners, this dog food contains 100% plant-based ingredients specifically developed by professionals to meet the guidelines Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for adult dogs. It contains essential amino acids and highly digestible protein to improve digestion and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
Price USD: from $69.99 for 30lbs/13kg
6. Burns Pet Nutrition
You have two veggie nutritive dog food options with Burns Pet Nutrition, both developed by Veterinary Surgeon John Burns. Penlan Farm containse gg, vegetables & brown rice and it’s all made with vegetarian natural ingredients, it is hypoallergenic, suitable for dogs with sensitive skin or sensitive digestion as it is highly digestible. The Carrot Bites is a natural and healthy dog treat, low fat and hypoallergenic, containing all the benefits of just carrots.
Price USD: from $16.56 for 6x 88lbs/400g
7. HOWND
The Plant Powered Superfood made with heart vegan quinoa and pumpkin casserole with organic hemp protein and moringa. This vegan dog food is nutritionally complete and balanced, made 100% with clean ingredients, therefore meat, dairy and wheat free. The spread is made of highly digestible proteins, fats, carbohydrates. It’s high in protein, low fat, naturally hypoallergenic and vet approved. No wonder Dogs Love Hownd!
Price USD: from $24.55 for 6x 80lbs/375g
8. Huxley Hound
Huxley Hound Organic Vegetable Dog Treat contains carrot, parsnip, sweet potato and beetroot — packed with antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphate. All 100% organic vegetable treats suitable for sharing with dogs and humans. These healthy natural treats that do not promote weight gain, as they are low in fat and are high in nutrients instead! These tasty natural treats from Huxley Hound will ensure your dog comes back time and time again for more. Sourced from British organic farms and the world’s first fully traceable organic dog treats. Ideal for training or for just that cheeky snack. Nothing artificial goes into these treats, they are pure vegetables with no additives or preservatives.
9. Lily’s Kitchen
Vegan Rainbow Stew made at Lily’s Kitchen is a nutritionally complete and meat & dairy-free rainbow medley bursting with goodness! It’s vegan dog food with delicious plant-based proteins and a selection of the allotment’s finest vegetables. Perfect for pooches who may be sensitive to meat, or for those joining in with #MeatFreeMondays. Some of the vegan ingredients you will find in this Rainbow Stew: millet and lentils, courgettes, carrots, and peas to create a delicious, complete meal for your furry family. Freshly prepared vegetables and fruit, vitamins, and chelated minerals, to create a divinely digestible complete, balanced, meat-free meal. Lily’s story is great, watch below!
Price USD: from $23.51 x 6x 88lbs/400g
10. Pure Pet Food
The Vegi Plus version of Pure Pet Food is a great mixer recipe created so you can add your own protein source to create a complete and balanced meal. Packed full of tasty fruit, veggies and important vitamins and minerals. In this vegan mixer you will find ingredients such as carrot, potato, egg, apple, parsnip, cabbage, green Beans and minerals. If you reach out to Pure Pet Food they will recommend the perfect and natural recipe personalised for your dog, a tailored plan to your dog’s specific needs. If you order with them, the meals arrive on a regular, flexible plan that you can cancel at any time.
Price USD: from $41.6 for 4.4lbs/2kg
11. Scrumbles
Scrumbles plant based Softies are the ultimate guilt-free dog treat. Baked gently to a soft bite, these training treats are the perfect reward for puppy training, as well as for older dogs who need softer foods or dogs with pancreatitis. The Softies also have a soft texture which is better on older or younger teeth. Made with 100% natural and responsibly sourced ingredients and served in a completely plastic-free and compostable bag. Naturally vegan, kinder to the planet. Baked in the UK, grain free, with slippery elm, soft on teeth and no allergens. Guilt-free snacking supporting the digestive health of your furry friend. Treat time just got a whole lot tastier!
Price USD: from $27.74 for 8x 0.2lbs/90g
12. Wild Earth
Wild Earth brings Clean Protein Dog Food made 100% with clean ingredients such as chickpeas, oats, peas, and sweet potato; never any fillers, “mystery” meat, additives, or preservatives. The ingredients contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and algae DHA, providing a healthy skin & coat to your furry friend. Besides this natural umami flavor for an irresistible taste that dogs love, the recipe is meant for optimal digestion support with high-quality prebiotic and dietary fibres.
Price USD: from $56 for 18lbs/8kg
13. HALO
13. HALOHalo Adult Dog brings you a “Holistic Garden of Vegan Recipe” with the very best of plant-based protein from whole grains, green peas, and chickpeas. Made in the USA with quality ingredients sourced from US farms and around the world, all ingredients are non-GMO as all fruits and veggies come from farmland that prohibits the use of Genetically Modified Seeds. This vegan pet food provides a complete and balanced daily nutrition, without the meat, the diary, the artificial flavours, colours or preservatives — making it highly digestible.
Price USD: from $70.58 for 21lbs/9.5kg
14. Natural Balance
This Natural Balance® Vegetarian formula is meatless goodness that contains the same essential nutrients as the meat-based ones in the brand’s range! With ingredients such as brown rice, oat groats, and potatoes used in their formulas, it helps provide dogs with what they need, like a healthy skin and coat, and all without the artificial flavours or colours.
Price USD: from $17.99 for 4.5lbs/2kg
15. Max and Ruffy’s
Max and Ruffy’s brings a selection of uncompromised, eco-friendly, dog treats using only the freshest 100% organic, non-genetically modified organisms (non-GMO), and human-grade ingredients. Max & Ruffy’s flavors are concocted to be unique, while using beneficial ingredients that contribute to the health and well-being of your dog. From the “Powerhouse” sweet potato dog treats, rich in beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, to their anti-oxidant packed “W.P. Pizza”, the brand’s oven-baked organic dog treats supply your dog with both nutrients and irresistible flavor.
Price USD: from $7.25 for 0.5lbs/220g
Conclusion
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your pet’s optimal health and happiness. When feeding your pet with vegan food, make sure to introduce it slowly. Mix the vegan pet food with meat-based food, and then gradually increase the portion of vegan pet food and decrease the serving of the meat-based food. Do this for 7 to 14 days.
Aside from ensuring that your pet’s nutritional needs are met, it is also important to find out which food sources are best to avoid. For instance, dogs of all breeds cannot eat grapes, raisins, and nuts, among others. Meanwhile, raw eggs, chocolate, and caffeinated drinks are dangerous for cats.
This post has been written by the guest blogger Mike Powell, with the help of the team of editors at OurGoodBrands, supporting this large contribution of brands. We will continue to keep this blog updated, so if you have a suggestion of a similar sustainable vegan pet food brands, please share in the comments below!
