The longest, most comprehensive peer-reviewed study so far has demonstrated that dogs fed nutritionally-sound plant-based diets maintain health outcomes as well as dogs fed meat.
This is yet further proof that by choosing sustainable and kind plant-based....we are ALL doing the right thing!
The groundbreaking study by 2 top veterinary scientists Drs Tona and Annika Linde, shows how 15 adult dogs fed complete plant-based foods in their own homes over a year maintained clinical, nutritional, and haematological health outcomes.
Read the published study here with important features highlighted.
This study is the most comprehensive and longest known canine plant-based nutrition investigation to date and provides clinically relevant evidence-based nutrition data and new knowledge on outcomes in clinically healthy dogs who thrive without consumption of animal-derived ingredients.
We have had NO equivalent studies showing any health outcomes with dogs fed raw foods or insect-based dog foods so these results are particularly significant for plant-based dog nutrition.
Read more here about the Researchers and their paper.
“The good thing about SCIENCE is that it’s true, whether or not you believe in it.”
– Neil Tyson
Results in the study after one year
- Overweight or obese dogs achieved a healthier weight, whilst the remainder maintained normal weight.
- No clinically significant changes occurred within blood and urine.
- Blood levels of essential and non-essential amino acids and vitamins were all generally maintained.
What’s more, eating a plant-based diet may have addressed a nutritional deficiency!
- In a few cases, previous deficiencies following a meat-based diet either improved or disappeared with the plant-based diet, including Taurine and L-Carnitine (important for cardiac health)
- Vitamin D levels stabilised where before they were too low (indispensable for immunity and bone health)
- Folate increased (required to produce red blood cells)
Thank goodness for these researchers doing such a valuable job of providing us with the evidence based medicine that we need!
I was captivated from the start when interviewing Dr Tona and Dr Annika Linde speak about their groundbreaking research when they asked 15 families with meat-based dogs, to feed them a complete plant-based diet only and they would monitor the health of these family dogs over a year.
Their results are astounding - just listen to inspiring vet and empath and University lecturer Dr Tona (and we love his choice of background image!)
Watch a Netflix documentary about this study by clicking on the link below
I feel SO fortunate to have been invited to speak at a Vegan Dog Conference in The Netherlands in October 2025 where I will be speaking alongside not only Prof Andrew Knight, but also Dr Tona. I will finally get to meet yet another true pioneer in this space - hooray!!!
