Study: Pet dogs could be far healthier on a vegan diet

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Pet dogs would be far healthier sticking to a vegan diet, according to a new study.

The findings of a survey of more than 2,500 owners, looking at links between dog diet and their well-being, suggest that "nutritionally sound" vegan diets may be healthier and less hazardous than conventional or raw meat-based diets.

Veterinary Professors from the University of Winchester, UK, found that many factors may influence dog owners to choose unconventional diets for their pets, including concerns regarding the environment, the treatment of animals used as food, and the health of their pets.

But studies of the health effects of conventional compared to unconventional dog diets have been limited until now.

To help clarify the potential health effects of different dog diets, Veterinary Professor Andrew Knight and his colleagues analyzed survey data from guardians of 2,536 dogs fed either conventional meat, raw meat, or a vegan diet.

The survey included questions about the dogs’ health, including the number of veterinary visits, use of medications, and specific dog health disorders.

Prof. Knight said: "Statistical analysis of the survey results suggested that, overall, dogs on conventional diets were less healthy than dogs on raw meat or vegan diets.

"Dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than those on vegan diets."

However, the researchers noted several factors that prevent a conclusion that raw meat diets are healthier. For example, dogs in the study on raw meat diets were significantly younger than dogs on vegan diets, which could help explain why they appeared to be healthier.

Dogs on raw meat diets were also less likely to be taken to a vet. The team said that while that could be a sign of better health, previous research has indicated that the owners of dogs on raw meat diets are less likely to seek veterinary advice.

Prof. Knight, of the Animal Welfare dept. at the university, says further research is needed to confirm whether a raw meat or a vegan diet is associated with better dog health.

The research team suggests that large-scale studies of dogs, maintained on different diets, which utilize data such as results of veterinary clinical examinations and veterinary medical histories, could yield results of greater reliability.

Previous studies have linked raw meat diets for dogs to increased risk of pathogens and nutritional deficiencies.

In light of both the new and previous findings, the researchers suggest that a nutritionally sound vegan diet may in fact be the healthiest and least hazardous choice for dogs.

Prof, Knight, who was born and raised in Australia, added: “We believe our study of 2,536 dogs is by far the largest study published to date, exploring health outcomes of dogs fed vegan and meat-based diets.

"It analyzed a range of objective data, as well as owner opinions and reported veterinary assessments of health.

"It revealed that the healthiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, are nutritionally sound vegan diets.”

The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.