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As veganism becomes more popular, many people are looking to make further changes to their lifestyle. And in some cases, this change means a dietary shift for their pets, moving them away from traditional meat foods and toward plant-based brands.
But can dogs survive on a plant-based diet?
research shows that contrary to popular belief, dogs can live and thrive on a plant-based diet. And with more plant-based dog food brands hitting the shelves, it seems many owners are keen to try the change.
Which brands are best?
With so many brands readily available now, it’s a great time for dog owners to try out a few different flavors and see which their dog likes best.
For now we thought we’d share some of the brands that are definitely in the running for number one in the UK.
Image: Omni
First of all we have Omni. Omni was Britain’s first plant-based, meat-rich dog food, high in protein and not only vet-approved, but vet-produced. The science behind Omni is based on research showing that dogs are omnivores and have the ability to absorb all the good qualities found in plants.
This brand was created in 2020 by veterinarian Dr. Guy Sandelowsky and investment banker Shiv Sivakumar when they became upset about the unavailability of nutrient-dense, readily available pet food. Through careful development, Omni has created a balanced 100% plant based dog food that is 30% protein based with added legumes, vegetables and fruits for a more rounded meal.
Omni claims to be not only good for the dog, but also good for the environment, using 61% less water and 92% less land to produce compared to regular dog food.
dr Sandelowsky recently expressed his confidence on Sky News, explaining: “We use a combination of different plant proteins, including potato protein, pea protein, soy and yeast. And the idea behind it is to really create a protein that is on par with meat in terms of amino acids. So the building blocks of the protein that the dog needs. Dogs need ten essential amino acids, as they are called. And we’ve made sure all of our recipes have all of that protein so they can thrive off our diet.”
It was recently announced that Omni had secured £1.1m ($1.5m) in its first round of funding, backed by; The participants are ProVeg International, Purple Orange Ventures, Trellis Road, Kale United, financier Vera Baker (as part of the Atomico Angel program) and FoodHack. The funds will be used to develop new lines of products that include treats that help with specific health conditions.
Besides Omni we have The package who also managed to provide financial support to prominent chefs, influencers and restaurateurs. The goal of the founding team, consisting of Damien Clarkson, Judy Nadel, Michiel Van Deursen and Russell White, is to develop science-based, nutritionist-produced food that puts a dog’s health above all else. Each meal’s packaging and names are really fun, but behind each quirky label is a balanced and high-protein recipe that covers all the amino acids a dog needs to thrive. Their recipes follow the nutritional guidelines of the European pet food industry as well as the National Research Council to ensure you can trust what you are feeding your dog.
Image: The pack pet
As dedicated environmentalists, The Pack pride themselves on the commitment they put into the development of each product. Working in partnership with world leaders in the packaging industry, they carry out carbon assessments to ensure each design is eco-friendly, thereby minimizing waste.
By the way, if you have the opportunity to admire The pack’s website then we can recommend it unreservedly.
The last brand we want to share with you is Noochy Poochy which was founded by qualified veterinarian Lucy McKinna, who was struggling with the fact that she didn’t eat meat but still fed it to her dog.
Image: Noochy Poochy
“I was fully committed to a vegan lifestyle, but I couldn’t find anything on the market that I was confident would give my dog everything she needed to stay healthy.”
Vegans might recognize where the name came from – with “Nooch” or nutritional yeast to give it its real name, an ingredient Lucy used to give food an irresistible cheese flavor, it seemed the perfect title for the company being.
The brand has already enjoyed great success, launching in late 2021 in health, pet and vegan stores across the country, including zero-waste stores that Lucy supplies with bulk products. But there were hurdles that Lucy successfully overcame.
“Initially, we couldn’t find a vegan source for an important vitamin in dog food, vitamin D3, usually derived from sheep’s wool. After months of searching and running our own tests to ensure it was stable during the cooking of the recipe, we managed to source the vitamin D3 from algae and was finally able to get the fully vegan seal of approval.”
Currently, Noochy Poochy is offering 20% off all first online purchases, so it’s a good time to try it out.
