With Prof Andrew Knight’s groundbreaking studies released on the 13th April 22 and stating that vegan diets are in fact healthier than meat-based dog food diets, it is all just so positive…..but as it has all happened so fast, it obviously needs time for large companies and associations to accept this new development.
We are so happy that the BVA (British Veterinary Association) has a leader who is dedicated to sustainability as it is well documented that –
Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the biggest ways to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. Studies suggest that a high-fibre, plant-based diet is also better for your health – so it can be a win-win.
Thankfully, our similarities in opinion lie with large companies producing either ‘raw’ or ‘human-grade’ pet food that are both completely non-sustainable for our future as well as being dangerous for our pet and planet’s health. The meat-based dog food industry at least uses the ‘byproducts’ of the meat industry so is a form of sustainable recycling; but to feed a small dog human-grade meat with every meal, is to give it the same carbon footprint as a full grown man as we do not eat meat with every meal.
We are also all very aware of the enormous dangers of antibiotic resistant E-Coli bacteria in raw meat with this paper released urgently in April 2020 when every country was in lockdown but they had to release it as it was too important.
The use of fish in our pet food has to be removed at all costs as fish is not a natural diet for dog’s or cats (they would never naturally choose to dive into the ocean or lake to catch a fish) and we have to protect our vulnerable oceans from over-fishing. To put a price on small fish that are so urgently needed in the food chain of the ocean by adding them to pet food needs to stop.
Thankfully the PFMA takes a good stance on vegan dog food and states that marine Algae can be used as a sustainable source of important fatty acids and Omega 3’s.
We appreciate too that the BVA President’s stand is in this latest article released 2 months before Prof Andrew Knight’s article states that –
“We need good evidence from large-scale, long-term, robust scientific studies feeding dogs on appropriately supplemented balanced vegan diets for their lifetime, looking at how these diets affect their health, before we can make recommendations as to whether these diets are suitable and safe for the wider pet populations.”
Thankfully those studies have now been released by Prof Andrew Knight and as passionate vets wanting to do the right thing for the health of our pets and the future of our planet and ocean’s health, we are so excited about our own ‘large-scale, long-term, and ongoing scientific studies’ from dedicated and extremely caring people also wanting to the right thing for their pets and the planet.
The changes seen in their pet’s health whilst on a plant-based diet is remarkable and cannot be disputed that it can be quite lifechanging to their health as shown below…..
Golden Oldie Nelson who suffered from IBD
Watch the amazing video of Nelson eating VegDog Senior No 1 tinned food and ignoring the raw meat!
Pru’s Mum didn’t like feeding Pru raw food
Pru the pretty Cockapoo was originally on a raw food diet. In her Mum’s words – “I really didn’t like the raw bloody meat in the fridge – I just found it all revolting”
Dilated cardiomyopathy and Frank’s vegan dog food diet
Frank the Golden Retriever’s Mum is a medical student full of wonderful advice with all her intense research
Lola the young rescue Rotty has arthritis
The choice to transition Lola to plant-based has been the best decision possible to manage Lola’s weight and help with managing her arthritis and health
Marx transitioned from raw to plant-based to extend his lifespan
“He’s my best friend and I want to keep him as happy and as healthy as possible for as long as possible”
Marble’s favourite homemade recipe is Tofu and Turmeric
The homebaked meals are so wonderful and easy to make and we cook for ourselves everyday so why not cook for our little ones as well?
Trixie the Frenchie had skin issues on raw food
Hear all about the wonderful transition of ‘problem child’ Trixie going from raw to plant-based and what a huge impact it had on her health and her happiness
Chris Packham’s amazing impact
“Arielle
Thanks for the package
We’ve tried the tins and both of the very picky poodles wolfed it down! Makes a change!
Best Chris”
Siberian Husky Akira thrives as an active dog on a vegan diet
Akira and his Irish Terrier friend Ted are proof of a healthy active lifestyle enhanced by the benefits of eating a balanced plant-based diet
Mac the Shepsky just stopped eating
Mac the Shepsky’s entire relationship with food changed when he went onto plant-based dog food diet from a raw diet
Bilbo & Frodo love their vegan diet!
Their millenial Mum chose their vegan dog food for ethical and sustainability reasons
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
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!”
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
Charlie Chops has to lose weight!
“Charlie Chops has to have two new hips we think which is a bit of a shock and we have to get this weight off him”
Nahla seems cured of her meningitis!
This is my step by step guide to making their homecooked meals that I batch cook
Frankie loves his food again
Frankie is back to wolfing down his meals and jumping up and down at dinner time
Lola had urinary crystals
Her owner did not supplement the homemade food and Lola developed painful urinary tract infections
Moopy and his anal glands!
Anal gland problems are very common and can be very distressing if not treated correctly
Bea climbed onto the sofa for the first time in over a year!
When we read this review, we felt quite emotional as the difference in Bea after only a month on a plant-based diet is remarkable