Celebrate Rescue Dogs with Plant-Based Love: How a Diet Shift Can Help the Planet

Today we celebrate our loyal companions who were given a second chance at life. As we honor them, there's a growing opportunity to deepen our compassion not only for the dogs we rescue but for all animals and the planet we share. One way to do this? Consider transitioning our dogs to a plant-based diet.

Dogs, unlike obligate carnivores like cats, are omnivores. They can thrive on nutritionally complete vegan diets—something increasingly backed by science. A new peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems concludes that feeding pets a nutritionally sound vegan diet is “a significant extant climate change mitigation strategy which warrants immediate implementation.” The environmental impact of pet diets is far from trivial. In the U.S. alone, 25–30% of the environmental harm associated with livestock farming is attributed to pet food. And in Japan, the environmental toll of feeding a medium-sized dog exceeds that of feeding an average human.

The study further dispels the notion that pet food has low impact because it uses animal byproducts. Only 25% of byproducts in countries like the U.S. are used in pet food. The pet food industry competes with other sectors for these inputs, and their sale accounts for up to 11.4% of the gross revenue from beef, ultimately fueling an unsustainable industry. Since byproducts make up only a fraction of the animal carcass, more animals must be raised to meet demand—worsening the ethical and environmental costs.

Switching dogs to a vegan diet isn’t just about doing less harm. It can actively do good. If every dog in the world were fed plant-based, we could free up land larger than Mexico. Greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and pollutant outputs would all drop dramatically. Many dogs on vegan diets show improved health outcomes and equal enthusiasm for their meals, according to the study. The authors also highlight the potential of cultivated meat and precision fermentation to make sustainable pet food even more viable.

For those interested in exploring plant-based options for their dogs, Vegan America's marketplace (Check it out here!) offers a curated selection of vegan pet foods. From kibble to treats, these products are designed to meet your dog's nutritional needs while aligning with ethical and environmental values. Notable brands available include:

• V-Dog: Known for their Kind Kibble, V-Dog offers a protein-rich, allergen-friendly formula that supports overall canine health.

• Wild Earth: Developed by veterinarians, Wild Earth's dog food is high in protein and free from common allergens, making it suitable for dogs with sensitivities.

• Vivus: Vivus provides a range of plant-based dog foods and treats, focusing on ethical sourcing and nutritional completeness.

• Green Dog: Green Dog offers vegan dog food options that are both nutritious and environmentally friendly.

• Ami Dog: Ami Dog's products are hypoallergenic and made with high-quality plant-based ingredients, catering to dogs with specific dietary needs.

• Benevo: Benevo produces a variety of vegan dog foods and treats, emphasizing animal welfare and sustainability.

By choosing these brands, you can ensure your dog enjoys a balanced diet while contributing to a more sustainable and compassionate world.

These brands offer balanced, vet-approved meals designed to meet your dog’s nutritional needs without compromising your values.

On this National Rescue Dog Day, let’s show our love by embracing choices that protect all animals and our shared planet. A more compassionate world starts with what we put in the bowl.