Media release

From: Griffith University

Links between dog diets and their health outcomes suggest a vegan diet may be healthier and less hazardous than raw meat-based diets, according to a new study of more than 2,500 dog owners and guardians.  

Adjunct Professor Andrew Knight, from Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science, led the study which has been published in PLOS ONE. 

Professor Knight and colleagues analysed the survey data from 2,536 dog owners and guardians who fed their four-legged friends either a conventional meat, raw meat, or vegan diet.  

The survey included questions about the dogs’ health, including the number of veterinary visits, use of medications, and specific dog health disorders. 

The survey results suggested that dogs on conventional diets were less healthy than dogs on raw meat or vegan diets. 

“Many factors may influence dog guardians to choose unconventional diets for their pets, including concerns regarding the environment, the treatment of animals used as food, and the health of their pets,” Professor Knight said.  

“However, research into the health effects of conventional versus unconventional dog diets has been limited. 

“Our study of 2,536 dogs is by far the largest study published to date, exploring health outcomes of dogs fed vegan and meat-based diets.  

“It analysed a range of objective data, as well as owner opinions and reported veterinary assessments of health. It revealed that the heathiest and least hazardous dietary choices for dogs, are nutritionally sound vegan diets.” 

Dogs on raw meat diets appeared to be healthier than those on vegan diets, however, the researchers noted several factors that prevent a conclusion that raw meat diets are healthier. 

For one, in the study, dogs on raw meat diets were significantly younger than dogs on vegan diets, which could help explain why they appeared to be healthier.  

Additionally, dogs on raw meat diets were less likely to be taken to a veterinarian. 

“While this could be a sign of better health, prior research indicated that guardians of dogs on raw meat diets are less likely to seek veterinary advice,” Professor Knight said. 

He added that additional research was needed to confirm whether a raw meat or a vegan diet is associated with better dog health outcomes. The researchers suggest that large-scale, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies of dogs, maintained on different diets, which uses data such as results of veterinary clinical examinations and veterinary medical histories, could yield results of greater reliability.  

Still, prior research has linked raw meat diets to increased risk of pathogens and nutritional deficiencies. 

Professor Knight said in light of both the new and prior findings, a nutritionally sound vegan diet may in fact be the healthiest and least hazardous choice for dogs.  

The findings ‘Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health’ has been published in PLOS ONE.