And they argue that plant\u2013based meals can be a ‘healthy and viable’ alternative for our four\u2013legged friends.<\/p>\n
‘Our study found that plant\u2013based diets, when properly formulated, can be a healthy and viable alternative to meat\u2013based options’, lead author Rebecca Brociek, from the University of Nottingham<\/a>‘s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, said.<\/p>\n ‘Ideally the next step is long\u2013term feeding studies, but as we begin to rethink pet nutrition, perhaps the alternative isn’t only better for the planet, but also beneficial for our four\u2013legged companions.’<\/p>\n As plant\u2013based diets gain popularity in human nutrition, the pet food industry is following suit with vegan diets becoming increasingly common.<\/p>\n It could mean that instead of eating food made from chicken, lamb and beef, more dogs will soon be given meals consisting of sweet potato, carrot flakes and pea protein.<\/p>\n The researchers said that plant\u2013based diets can be a reasonable alternative to traditional meat options (stock image)<\/p>\n Dogs, like humans, are omnivores and require certain nutrients rather than specific ingredients.<\/p>\n For the study, the team analysed the nutritional profiles of 31 meat and plant\u2013based dog foods available in the UK. This included the levels of proteins, individual amino acids, fatty acids, vitamin D and all B\u2013vitamins.<\/p>\n Overall, they found that plant\u2013based diets, when properly formulated, can be a reasonable alternative to meat\u2013based options.<\/p>\n The nutritional composition of meat and plant\u2013based foods for dogs were similar, except for iodine and B\u2013vitamins, which were lower in plant\u2013based foods.<\/p>\n The team said adopting a vegan diet for canine companions can provide adequate nutrients, but that supplements should be considered.<\/p>\n ‘Many of us assume that dogs need meat to stay healthy, but in fact, what they really need are the right nutrients,’ Ms Brociek added.<\/p>\n ‘What I found was surprising \u2013 these foods stacked up more closely to meat\u2013based diets than expected, with all showing some nutritional gaps.<\/p>\n ‘With more studies on plant\u2013based pet foods emerging every year, I’m excited to help move this conversation forward.’<\/p>\n Giving your dog a chunk of meat \u2013 or even a bone to chew on \u2013 might soon be a thing of the past, according to a new study (stock image)<\/p>\n The number of self\u2013declared vegans in the UK has rocketed in recent years, and quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, from 150,000 to 600,000.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/101789939-15060639-image-a-1_1756892317016.jpg\")
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