Many pet owners who do not purchase animal products themselves wonder if the same can apply to their dog: is vegan dog food truly a choice that makes a difference for animal welfare? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Dog food containing animal ingredients is linked to the livestock industry further down the supply chain, which raises questions that researchers and philosophers take seriously. This FAQ is for everyone who considers animal welfare when thinking about what is in their dog’s bowl, and who is looking for clear, well-founded answers.
Is a dog actually a carnivore by nature?
No, a dog is not an obligate carnivore by nature, but an omnivore that adapted to a starch-rich diet during domestication. Genetic research shows that dogs, compared to wolves, have extra copies of genes that help digest starch (Axelsson et al., 2013). This adaptation likely arose during the time dogs lived alongside humans who survived largely on grain and other plant-based foods. This does not mean that a dog does not need protein, but rather that its digestion is more flexible than that of an animal capable of digesting only meat. These proteins can just as easily come from vegan food sources.
What does dog food have to do with animal welfare?
The majority of dog food contains meat or animal by-products sourced from the same livestock industry that supplies food for humans. Therefore, the choice of dog food has consequences not only for your dog but also for animals further down the supply chain. Philosophers describe this as a dilemma: people who love their pets very much sometimes unintentionally contribute to the demand for animal products from the livestock industry through their food (Milburn, 2024). For owners who want to consider animal welfare in a broad sense, the composition of the food is a logical place to start.
Can vegan dog food meet all my dog's nutritional needs?
Yes, provided the food is tested according to FEDIAF nutritional standards. These European guidelines for complete pet food set requirements for protein, vitamins, and minerals, among other things, regardless of whether the source is animal or plant-based (FEDIAF, 2025). More explanation on this can also be found on our frequently asked questions page. VerdaDog kibble has been tested to these standards and is a complete pet food, so your dog does not need to eat anything else alongside it. If your dog has a specific health condition, always consult your veterinarian about which food is most suitable. We do not provide veterinary advice ourselves, but we are happy to think along with you about the food itself.
How do I choose dog food that aligns with my animal welfare values?
First, check the ingredient list for animal components and choose food where the manufacturer clearly states that it is 100% vegan. All VerdaDog products, for instance, are completely free of animal ingredients. Make any transition gradually: follow the transition schedule on the kibble's product page so that your dog's digestion can adjust. At Team VerdaDog, we often see that dogs switch to the new kibble with enthusiasm once they get to know the taste.
Curious about how vegan dog food tastes to your dog in practice? Try it out easily with the sample bag from the dog kibble collection, so you can discover if it's a match without needing to buy a large bag.
Written by Team VerdaDog. This article is based on scientific research. We do not provide veterinary advice: if you have questions about your dog's health, consult your veterinarian.
Sources
Axelsson, E., Ratnakumar, A., Arendt, M. L., Maqbool, K., Webster, M. T., Perloski, M., Liberg, O., Arnemo, J. M., Hedhammar, Å., & Lindblad-Toh, K. (2013). The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature, 495(7441), 360–364. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11837
FEDIAF. (2025). Nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation. https://europeanpetfood.org/nutritional-guidelines
Milburn, J. (2024). The ethics of plant-based pet food. In Y. Athanassakis, R. Larue, & W. O'Donohue (Eds.), The plant-based and vegan handbook: Psychological and multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 571–586). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63083-5_34
