Plant-Based Diet For Dogs
Welcome to a new way of nourishing your canine companion—where health, sustainability, and compassion come together in every bowl. At The Holistic Canine, we believe that a well-balanced, plant-based diet can support your dog’s vitality, longevity, and overall well-being. Backed by science and tailored for optimal canine nutrition, our plant-powered approach provides complete, natural nourishment without the need for animal products. Whether you’re curious, transitioning, or already plant-based, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Give Your Dog the Best Nutrition Without Compromising Your Values!
The Holistic Canine’s desire to reduce our carbon footprint and our environmental impact has led us down the path of plant-based dog nutrition. It is of vital importance that we as a human species step up to the plate to do our part to protect our planet. Meat production accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is a leading cause of deforestation and a loss of biodiversity, is highly water-intensive, leads to soil erosion and desertification, is a cause of water pollution from farm waste runoff, results in a decline in species diversity, and comes with high fossil fuel price tag. The Holistic Canine is owned and operated by an environmentally conscious vegan who not only loves dogs, but all animals and life on this planet. Our goal is to preserve the health and life of not just our pets, but our planet and all living species that call Earth home.
Science-Backed
With proper planning and scientific formulation, plant-based diets for dogs can be not only safe but potentially beneficial. However, it’s crucial to use trusted formulations by The Holistic Canine before switching.
Veterinarian Approved
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists (DACVN) have formulated and approved plant-based diets that meet the nutritional standards set by AAFCO, NRC, or FEDIAF. Veterinary approval depends on how the diet is formulated—not whether it contains meat. A carefully designed, well-balanced plant-based diet can absolutely be endorsed by veterinarians and nutrition experts.
Cruelty-Free and Ethical Nutrition
Plant-based diets offer a cruelty-free, ethical approach to canine nutrition—nourishing your pet without harming other animals or the planet.
Why Choose a Plant-Based Diet for Your Canine?
A plant-based canine diet offers several potential benefits. Meat, no matter how “clean” the source, still contains toxins simply from bioaccumulation. A diet that is 100% meat will subject our dogs to toxins on a daily basis from their diet. How great of a toxin load depends on the meat source. Plants, especially organic, are the lowest on the food chain and thus the cleanest offering the lowest toxin load passed on to your pet. Many dogs, despite the best quality raw diet are still plagued with food sensitivities and allergies. Many pets have found relief from skin, ear, and digestive issues by switching to a more plant-forward nutrition plan. Dogs with weight issues tend to have a much easier time reducing body fat. This leads to better joint health and mobility. The higher fiber in a plant-based diet aids in better bowel evacuation, less loose stools, and the prevention of anal gland impaction. And, plants have the lowest carbon footprint and environmental impact. Despite the numerous benefits, many pet parents have their concerns about plant-based diets for their pets. These concerns may include protein content, nutrient saturation, and whether a plant-based diet can be truly complete and balanced for dogs.
Finding a Balance is Important to Maintaining Results
Thankfully, scientific research shows us the dogs can and do thrive on a properly formulated and balanced plant-based diet. Veterinarians such as Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM; Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD; Dr. Andrew Knight, BVMS, PhD; Dr. Armaiti May, DVM; Dr. Michael Fox, DVM, PhD; and many more support and advocate for vegan diets for dogs. In fact, a 2022 study in PLOS ONE led by Dr. Knight found that dogs who consumed a vegan diet had less trips to their veterinarian, were prescribed less medication, and were overall healthier in several measured outcomes.
Allergy and Sensitivity Friendly
Allergies and sensitivities plague too many of our pets. Reducing meat in a dog’s diet has shown incredible results. Many pets stricken with skin conditions, debilitating itching, ear infections, and yeast overgrowth have found relief when switching to a plant-based diet. It is possible that the numerous toxins in meat are driving many of the symptoms we are seeing in a growing number of pets.
Reduce Your Dog’s Carbon Pawprint
Meat production accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is a leading cause of deforestation and a loss of biodiversity, is highly water-intensive, leads to soil erosion and desertification, is a cause of water pollution from farm waste runoff, results in a decline in species diversity, and comes with high fossil fuel price tag. The Holistic Canine is owned and operated by an environmentally conscious vegan who not only loves dogs, but all animals and life on this planet. Our goal is to preserve the health and life of not just our pets, but our planet and all living species that call Earth home.
Cruelty-Free and Ethical Nutrition
We as pet parents only want what is best for our beloved companions. We love our dogs just as we love our family members and friends. Some pet parents even consider their pets their children. It is only natural to want to offer the best of everything to our fur children. When we open our minds to the fact that other animals, like our dogs, are also able to experience the joys of love and affection and to experience health and the joys of living on this planet, it should make us heartbroken that everyday millions of animals are being slaughtered for food. They do not volunteer to be killed. Like dogs, they are born into a world that can be filled with love and health, or horror and death. Most people are horrified when they see a dog living in horrendous conditions or abused by humans in puppy mills. Do not all sentient beings desire the same? Every living being on this planet has a right to live. At the very least, reducing the amount of meat that your dog consumes will make a big impact. The Holistic Canine is here to help pet parents make the best decisions for their dogs, for all creatures, and for the planet.
Personalized Nutrition Plans Delivered to Your Inbox
As a pet parent, you know your pet best. The Holistic Canine offers customizable plans that meet the unique needs of your pet and your lifestyle. Each meal plan is as unique as your pet. You may wish to simply reduce your dog’s meat consumption by adding in a single plant-based alternative. As a vegan pet parent, you may wish to go all in and have The Holistic Canine create a vegan meal plan for your pet. No matter your needs, we will create an optimal nutrition plan for your dog.
Tailored to Your Dog’s Unique Needs
The Holistic Canine creates recipes and meal plans based on your pet’s age, breed, weight, activity level, current health and health history, genetic dispositions, and their unique personal preferences.
Expert Guidance Every Step of the Way
The Holistic Canine offers phone consultations that allows every pet parent to discuss all of their needs, questions, and concerns to allow for the most customizable strategy plans for diet and health possible. If you choose a recipe, you will receive a Client Intake form that requests every bit of information about your pet for the most custom guidance and service that you and your pet deserve.
Unlock Your Dog’s Full Potential with a Custom Plant-Powered Plan
Tailored diet and nutrition plans allow for the best possible outcomes and results. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Every pet is unique and every pet’s needs are unique. Honing down on your pet’s needs is the only way to get results that last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a plant-based diet good for dogs?
A plant-based diet can be a healthful option for dogs; however, the diet must be thoroughly planned and balanced according to AAFCO/NRC/FEDIAF nutrient standards. Dogs are faculatative carnivores making them omnivorous. This means that they can digest both animal and plant foods. A dog’s nutritional needs are complex and specific, thus a poorly formulated plant-based diet can lead to deficiencies. The Holistic Canine thoroughly understands the nutritional needs of dogs. We are confident that our custom formulated plant-based diets will provide your pet with all of their nutritional needs to allow them to thrive and experience optimal health.
Is a plant-based diet better than a carnivore diet?
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Tailored to your dog’s individual health needs
- Well-digested and well-tolerated by your dog
- Designed by The Holistic Canine or a nutrition certified veterinarian
What is the difference between a plant-based vs vegan diet for dogs?
A plant-based diet can include some animal products such as an egg, a RMB, boneless meat, liver, and/or fish. The emphasis of a plant-based diet is the legumes, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and seed butters with the animal products being secondary. A vegan diet will contain no animal products. A dog consuming a vegan diet much rely on plants to provide their nutritional requirements. Since plant proteins tend to be lower in certain amino acids dogs require for heart health, as well as plants often lacking in adequate vitamin D, a vegan diet will require supplemental amino acids taurine and L-carnitine as well as Vitamin D.
Is it easy to switch my dog to a plant-based diet?
Switching a dog to a plant-based diet can be easy for some dogs and more challenging for others. It largely depends on your dog’s age, health, digestive sensitivity, and how the transition is managed. So, yes, it can be easy to switch to a plant-based diet if done thoughtfully and gradually with attention to balance and quality. Every dog is different—some dog’s transition with no problem, while others may take more time or need a mixed approach.
Why wait another day?
Our pets’ lives are never long enough on this earth. Each and every day matters. Each and every day counts. Start now! The Holistic Canine will partner with you to give your pet the best health.