Do dogs on plant-based diets need medication less often than dogs on meat-based diets?
Do dogs on traditional meat-based diets receive medication more often than dogs on plant-based diets? A large survey of no fewer than 2,536 dog owners suggests that they do (Knight et al., 2022). It is important to state immediately: this is a survey, not a clinical trial, but it is one of the largest of its kind regarding dog nutrition.
What kind of research was this exactly?
Researchers asked more than 2,600 dog owners about the health of their dogs. Ultimately, this yielded useful data on 2,536 dogs that had been on the same diet for at least a year: 1,370 dogs (54%) on traditional meat-based food, 830 dogs (33%) on raw meat, and 336 dogs (13%) on plant-based food (Knight et al., 2022). One of the seven health indicators they examined was the use of medication, excluding standard vaccinations or flea and worm treatments.
What was notable regarding medication use?
The use of medication occurred significantly more often in dogs on traditional meat-based food compared to dogs on raw meat or plant-based food (Knight et al., 2022). In this type of research, medication use serves as an indirect indicator of health issues: a dog that requires medication is often suffering from an ailment.
Does this fit into a broader picture?
Certainly. Across the entire study, at least one health issue was reported in 49% of dogs on traditional meat-based food, compared to 43% for raw meat and 36% for plant-based food (Knight et al., 2022). Therefore, medication use does not stand alone but fits into a broader pattern within this study.
Why is this worded cautiously, despite the large group?
A survey of 2,536 dogs is large, but it remains a survey, not an experiment where dogs were randomly assigned to a diet. The researchers themselves point out an important factor: dogs on raw meat were younger on average, and a younger age is inherently associated with better health outcomes (Knight et al., 2022). However, for the comparison between traditional meat-based food and plant-based food—the comparison most relevant to VerdaDog—the pattern remained consistent.
What does this mean for VerdaDog’s nutrition?
It is precisely this type of research that shows why we at VerdaDog believe a thoughtful, plant-based foundation contributes to your dog's overall health, not just to specific ailments. Curious about the composition of our kibble? Check them out here! Do you have another question? Take a look at our FAQ page or get in touch with us.
Frequently asked questions
Does less medication use mean that plant-fed dogs never get sick?
No, you cannot conclude that from this. It concerns a relative difference within a large group, not a guarantee for individual dogs. Does your dog have health issues? Always consult a veterinarian.
Why did dogs on raw meat sometimes score slightly better than dogs on plant-based food?
Dogs on raw meat were younger on average in this study, and younger dogs often show better health outcomes regardless of diet. This age difference may have partially influenced the result (Knight et al., 2022).
How many dogs were in this study?
A total of 2,536 dogs, of which 1,370 were on traditional meat-based food, 830 on raw meat, and 336 on plant-based food, all of whom had been on that diet for at least one year (Knight et al., 2022).
Who funded this study?
This research was funded by ProVeg International, an organization that promotes plant-based nutrition. This does not invalidate the results, as the study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, but it is relevant to know when weighing the findings.
About the author
David is the founder of VerdaDog. He grew up with a dog that struggled with allergies, which made him think about how he could prevent that for his own dog. He has been eating plant-based for over ten years himself, and that interest in nutrition, for himself and his dog, forms the basis of VerdaDog. This article was written based on peer-reviewed research. David does not claim veterinary or scientific expertise and always refers to a veterinarian for medical advice.
References
Knight, A., Huang, E., Rai, N., & Brown, H. (2022). Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health. PLoS ONE, 17(4), e0265662. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265662
