Plant-based diets tend to be much higher in fibre and healthy gut bacteria than conventional processed dog meat-based dog food, so when switching your dog over to a wholesome plant-based diet, this is what we advise:
Changes are best made gradually, eg by feeding a 90% old/new plant-based mixture for a few days, then 80%/20%, until gradually over a matter of 2 – 4 weeks, your dog is used to their new food. Some dogs may take even longer.
Gradual changes allow the appropriate changes of digestive enzymes and intestinal microbiome (all those healthy gut bacteria). Transitioning slowly minimises all the changes you may expect such as abdominal discomfort, wind and diarrhoea. We do have to confess that our little Ruff went plant-based from 1 day to the next and he was fine! The other theory is that dogs are natural scavengers and they have gut bacteria and enzymes that will adapt, so it is up to you the owner how you choose to transition.
Not all dogs take to plant-based straight away – especially the fussier dogs who are not very food driven. They may be more challenging to transition, but if everything is made as positive as possible, from the sounds you make when feeding them, to pointing to their bowls or feeding the dry biscuits as treats or rewards, you will get there.
Do not be tempted to heat up the homemade food to make it more palatable, as the vital ‘icing’ or ‘topping’ made with the supplements we recommend must not be heated to protect the valuable nutrients. We do feel however that with the ingredients in our homemade foods, your dog should find their new plant-based diet very tasty and you should not have to warm it up! Our JUST BE KIND supplement contains essential pre and probiotics to support your dog’s microbiome gut health.
Vegan Vet Visits Crufts
I felt completely overwhelmed by the injustice of what I saw which left me reeling with anger
The realities of puppy farming
Perhaps you were one of the owners who bought a puppy in desperation during lockdown – you maybe had your heart set on having a Cockapoo puppy in your home
IBD and a vegan dog food diet
We import Green Crunch and Greta from Germany as it is a suitable hypoallergenic diet for dogs suffering from IBD
Starla transitioned from raw to plant-based
Starla always suffered from a dry flaky coat on raw food, but once on a 100% homemade plant-based diet, her coat is now soft and shiny!
Baxter the Weimeraner and his sensitive digestion
Baxter being a sensitive Weimeraner has to eat a vegan diet for his health as he is intolerant to any animal protein
Pepe and George and their idyllic life with Fr Terry
They were initially raw fed when Fr Terry first started feeding them as a new dog carer until he experienced his own ethical dilemma
I cannot say which passion drives me more!
Today I really hit rock bottom and it made me question which of the passions drives me the most with everything that I do as a vegan vet running my JUST BE KIND dog food business
For the LOVE of Greyhounds
Greyhounds are beautiful, gentle and sensitive dogs and the sensitivity seems to extend to their digestive systems
Brave Breta Survived Cancer
“The cancer was such a cruel blow, but I hope she will live for years and have all the love and happiness she deserves, along with scrumptious vegan food!”
Chris Packham is my inspiration!
Science tells us that we need just 25 percent of people to change their thinking about something and then it cascades quickly
Brian the Border Terrier’s life changed going plant-based
Brian the Border Terrier had an intolerance to meat protein and a vegan diet transformed his life
Rupert had painful urinary crystals
Rupert suffered from an extremely painful urinary tract infection and blood in his urine which ultimately led to him needing surgery
