The Nugget
- This systematic review found no convincing evidence of major adverse health effects from feeding dogs and cats vegan diets, but the evidence is limited in scope and quality. Some evidence of benefits was noted, though more high-quality research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Make it stick
- 🐶 In dogs, vegan diets were linked to ideal body condition and longevity in some studies
- 🐱 In cats, most health indicators on vegan diets were within normal ranges, though taurine and folate decreases were seen in a few animals
- 💡 Vegan pet diets appear safe in the short-term if commercially-formulated foods are used, but long-term studies are lacking
Protocol
- Systematic review of 16 studies (11 dog, 6 cat) evaluating health impacts of vegan pet diets
- Studies included case reports (n=1), experimental trials (n=9), observational studies (n=3), and owner surveys (n=9)
- Health outcomes were assessed directly in the animals in 13 studies and via owner reports in 8 studies
- Limitations included small sample sizes, short diet durations in experimental studies, and risk of bias in study designs
Terminology
- Vegan diet: Devoid of all animal-based products
- Vegetarian diet: Devoid of meat but may contain eggs/dairy
- Taurine: Amino acid essential for feline cardiac and eye health
- Cobalamin (B12) and folate (B9): B-vitamins of concern in vegan diets
Key insights
Limited evidence of adverse health effects in dogs and cats
- Blood work generally within normal ranges on vegan diets
- No consistent deficiencies in key nutrients like taurine, B12, folate
- Normal growth, body condition, stool quality reported in most studies
Some evidence of health benefits perceived by pet owners
- Easier to maintain ideal weight and body condition
- Shinier coat, better breath, less body odor
- Fewer vet visits, less medication use, greater longevity reported by some owners
- High palatability and acceptance of vegan diets
More research needed to confirm preliminary findings
- Studies to date limited by small sample sizes and short diet durations
- Heterogeneous outcomes measured across studies
- More direct, longitudinal animal health studies with larger populations required
Key quotes
- "This review has found that there is no convincing evidence of major impacts of vegan diets on dog or cat health."
- "At the current time, if guardians wish to feed their pets vegan diets, a cautious approach should be taken using commercially produced diets which have been formulated considering the nutritional needs of the target species."
- "There is an urgent need for large-scale population-based studies to further investigate this question, with a particular focus on assessing the dietary aspects cited to be of particular concern, e.g., taurine and folate."
This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.