Vegan, Vegetarian or Meat

[Seaweed]

Interesting news on the vegan dog food front, V-Dog the vegan dog food company based in San Francisco has announced it's going international.
https://www.v-gains.com/vegan-dog-food-company-v-dog-announces-international-expansion/
https://v-dog.com/
https://v-planet.com/

[louwra]

Good to see more vegan dog food!  Both me and my daughter are vegans,  my dogs do get a meat based diet, Lukkullus cold pressed, and I have slowly introduced the veggie option from Lukkullus.   Dogs love it!   

Two reasons why my dogs are not completely vegan  is price and choice.  Not a lot of choice with regards to vegan dogfood, and the ones that are out there are pricey!  With three Rottweilers, price is also important and I try to give them the best in food where I can. 

Where people have been talking about choice and whether or not  their dog would choose vegan or meat based One of mine refuses to eat chicken. Bit of chicken in one hand, vegan sausage in other hand , he will go for the vegan option

I do have a few friends whose dogs are completely vegan and they look brilliant, no health issues.   I find, when you follow a certain lifestyle, you make sure you get all you need from that, and that works for dogs as well. You cant just decide to feed your dog vegan and think that that is it. You need to carefully look at the food and ensure they get all their nutritional and dietary needs.

[Seaweed]

Thanks for posting louwra, yes there is a lack of choice in vegan foods. Their seems to be growing demand for these products. The vegan V-Planet dog food (V-dog) are working on their international expansion so may well come to the UK, which will give a further option. If I hear anything I will post.

[louwra]

Great thanks!

I often go to Vegan festivals/markets etc, and I noticed more people setting up a stall for dogs with vegan food and treats, which is nice!   Takes a while to read all the small print   but generally these are pretty good

It's nice to see more choice!

[Seaweed]

Virchew, formerly Dogg (Vancouver), 100% plant-based food, not kibble or canned have a new website setting out their plans.
https://www.virchew.com/

[Dottie]

Not kibble, not canned so I am wondering if it is dehydrated. Also wondering about trials. Might have missed it but could not see anything on the website.

[Seaweed]

Dottie. the old DOGG website is still available. I can't remember how many trials there have been. It does mention a trial here.
https://www.joindogg.com/single-post/2016/08/04/DOGGs-Canine-PlantBased-Diet-Feeding-Trial-Results-are-IN
Before they were called DOGG, they were called Indogo, here is an article, podcast from that time where it is mentioned their intention is to have dehydrated foods.
https://responsibleeatingandliving.com/favorites/laura-simonson-plant-powered-dogs/
I will contact Virchew for clarification.

[Seaweed]

I have heard back from Virchew with a very nice email "Our foods are a unique 'dry blend' that our customers rehydrate. Some of the ingredients are dehydrated, some are cooked but dried, some are raw but dried, and some such as chickpea flour, is cooked through an infrared process.
Although we're still working on many of our formulations along with our Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and vet nutrition consultants, the ingredients that we've used to date in our trials and samples, are nutritious foods such as:"
chickpeas
lentils
sweet potato
hemp hearts
85% pea protein
kale
algae flakes
oatmeal (certified gluten-free)
spinach
beets
carrots

[Seaweed]

Looks like there is to be a "Plant-Based Dog Food Health Study" studying the effects of two dog food brands, V-Dog and Halo vegan dog foods.
https://janeunchained.com/2018/09/27/lets-do-brunch-fundraising-for-a-plant-based-dog-food-study/

[Tinyplanets]

Thanks for the link Seaweed. I have to say, despite now being fully committed to veganism myself, I am too worried that it might not be the best diet for my dog to change her food.

[Seaweed]

Scientists say vegan food can be healthy for pets. https://www.nzgeo.com/audio/scientists-say-vegan-food-can-be-healthy-for-pets/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330406857_Plant-based_vegan_diets_for_pets_A_survey_of_pet_owner_attitudes_and_feeding_practices

[Seaweed]

The Plant-Powered Dog Food Summit is FREE and online from March 12 – 19, 2019.
https://www.plantpowereddogfoodsummit.com/

[Seaweed]

Vet, Dr Judy Morgan, Vegan Pets – To Be or Not to Be? https://www.drjudymorgan.com/vegan-pets-to-be-or-not-to-be/