Best Vegan Dog Food and Treats

Don’t dogs need meat? Can dogs really be vegan? Is it healthy to feed dogs plant-based dog food? What are the best vegetarian dog foods and vegan dog treat brands? Read on to learn all about healthy, happy, thriving vegetarian and vegan dogs and what to keep in mind if you’re considering a vegan diet for your dog. 

Can Dogs Be Vegan?

“Say whaaaat? Vegan dog food? Now that’s taking things too far.”

“That’s straight-up animal abuse!”

“I’m calling PETA.”

These are the kinds of things I hear whenever I share that I feed my dog Chance vegan dog food. Chance is 13 years old and thriving, and he’s been eating a plant-based diet for more than a decade. He’s seen multiple veterinarians over the years, and every single one of them has given him (and his diet) a big thumbs-up.

But I wasn’t always so confident. From the moment I adopted Chance from the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society where I was working one summer, he became my number one priority. More than anything, I want him to be healthy and happy and live a long life. And, like you, when I first heard about vegan dog food, I was skeptical.

I thought: “There’s no way that can be healthy. Dogs are descended from wolves—they’re made to hunt down animals and tear info flesh!” So, I did some research. I talked with Chance’s veterinarian. I talked with others who had been feeding their own furry companions vegan dog food for some time. At the time, I was a pre-veterinary student in college, so this subject held particular interest to me.

Giving Vegan Dog Food A Try

Finally, a zillion articles and conversations later, comforted by my research and now also acutely aware of the horrors of the commercial dog food industry, I ordered some vegan dog food. I figured, may as well give it a try! Would Chance even eat it? Like it? Thrive on it? Only time would tell. And hey, if it didn’t work out, I could always go back to generic dog food.

Well, the moment I dished out some vegan dog food (first mixed with his prior dog food, which should always be done when transitioning your canine companion to a new food), he gobbled it up. It was as if it was no different to him than his other, very similar looking (but a lot less wholesome) kibble. I figured, well, here goes nothing!

Chance didn’t instantly become a vegan dog. He still gnawed on raw hides and got occasional meaty treats, but the majority of his diet was vegan. And as the years ticked by and I became increasingly confident in the healthfulness of his diet, we ditched the animal skin rawhides for sweet potato rawhide, bought some plant-based dog treats and dental bones, and Chance became fully vegan.

Skepticism Turns To Confidence

Fast-forward 10+ years to now. Chance is sleeping beside me, paws twitching in total dreamland (chasing butterflies, I presume?). He has more grey in his face, he’s got some fatty lumps (all benign), and his joints are getting a little creaky. In dog years, he’s an old man. But my-oh-my has he retained his youthful energy and lust for life. People always comment on his beautiful coat, and he still looks like a young pup. When I ask folks on the street how old they think he is, they usually guess just a few years, and they’re shocked to learn that he’s actually thirteen (yup, he had his Bark Mitzvah this year!).

Thriving On A Vegan Diet

Needless to say, Chance is doing great, he loves his food and his treats, and I’m so glad I questioned my doubts and gave vegan dog food a try.

I now know that dogs are not Carnivores as I once believed. They’re actually omnivores, like us. They evolved alongside human beings eating our food scraps, which probably explains why they do just fine eating like we do (minus the chocolate and onions and garlic, of course).

Here’s how I see it. If my dog can thrive on a wholesome, well-balanced, veterinarian-approved plant-based diet, why wouldn’t I feed that to him? It’s better for our planet, it eliminates the need for horrendous cruelty to factory farmed animals, and it supports the wellbeing of my dog. It’s a win-win-win for all.

Vegan Dog Food Brands

The vegan dog food space is rapidly evolving as growing bodies of evidence show that dogs certainly don’t need meat to thrive and live their best life.

When I first started feeding Chance vegan dog food, there were only two accessible options in the United States: Natural Balance (a mainstream brand that has a vegan formula) and V-Dog (a super-wonderful vegan owned and operated brand). But friends, times are changin’! Today you can find lots of vegan dog food brands, and even more options for plant-powered treats, vegan rawhides, and animal-free dental bones.

We’ve outlined the most widely available options below.

PawCo Foods

Packed with essential nutrients and flavors,PawCo Foods GreenMeat provides a balanced diet that is completely plant-based. Crafted with a medley of plant-based proteins, vibrant veggies, and wholesome grains, it’s a fantastic option for dogs with food sensitivities or those who have chosen a compassionate vegan lifestyle. PawCo Foods ensures the highest standards of quality and taste by carefully selecting each ingredient to make it not only nutritious but also tantalizing to your dog’s taste buds. A happy tummy equals a happy pup!

V-Dog

V-Dog, a renowned brand in top-notch vegan dog food, is on a mission to create high-quality, plant-powered meals that are both ethical and irresistibly delicious. Their shining star, Kind Kibble, is formulated with all the essential nutrients for a healthy and balanced diet, completely free from animal products. It’s also allergen-free, suitable for dogs with sensitive tummies.

Wild Earth

Wild Earth, a trailblazer in the world of vegan dog food, has crafted their Kibble as a true testament to their unwavering dedication. It’s designed to provide optimal nutrition for your furry friend, ensuring they thrive in every way. Packed with plant-based goodness, Wild Earth’s Kibble offers a balanced and delicious meal that will have your dog begging for more.

Bramble Pets

Bramble Pets specializes in high quality, healthy food that reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system of our furry friends! They truly believe nutrition is the best long-term preventative care plan and take pride in crafting kibble with fresh, high-protein, superfoods. Now your furry companion can enjoy a diet that mirrors your own: healthy, sustainable, and kind to animals, without giving up the savory tastes and textures they adore.

Vegan-Friendly and Vegetarian Dog Food Brands

Gather

Gather is a premium-quality pet food that goes beyond just satisfying hunger—it nourishes your furry friends from the inside out, promoting their overall health in body, mind, and spirit. Their Endless Valley Vegan Recipe is made with organic peas. Their recipe contains only essential ingredients, with nothing added that isn’t absolutely necessary.

Natural Balance

Natural Balance offers both homestyle wet food for dogs and limited ingredient options featuring single animal proteins in dry, freeze-dried raw, wet foods, and treats. All their recipes are thoughtfully crafted to support your dog’s overall health and wellbeing, supporting them at every stage of life. Their plant-powered options are labeled vegetarian but are made without any animal products!

Halo

Their plant-based dog food is full of healthy ingredients that dogs love. It supports better skin and coat with optimal fatty acids balance and complete digestive support with probiotics. Plus, it’s crafted with sustainable and humane ingredients, ensuring your beloved companion receives complete and balanced nutrition while leaving a gentler footprint on the planet.

Vegan Dog Treats and Snacks

• Wild Earth (100% Vegan Brand)
• V-Dog Wiggle Biscuits (100% Vegan Brand)
• Bright Planet Pet (100% Vegan Brand)
• Fruitables (100% Vegan Brand)
• Bond Pet Foods (100% Vegan Brand)
• Benefit Pet Products Digestive Treats (100% Vegan Brand)
• Newman’s Own Plant-Based Jerky Treats for Dogs
• Halo
• Old Mother Hubbard
• Zuke’s
• Sam’s Yams (sweet potato chews)

Vegan Rawhide and Dental Bones

• Sam’s Yams Veggie Rawhide (100% Vegan Brand)
• V-Dog Breathbones (100% Vegan Brand)
• V-Planet Kind Jerky (100% Vegan Brand)
• Whimzees
• Zukes Z-Bones
• VeggieDent Dental Chews

Plant-Based Dog Supplements

• Opal Pets (100% Vegan Brand) – A vet-formulated perfect powder to add to homemade dog food meals with all the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids your dog needs to thrive. Contains Taurine and L. Carnitine and Algae Omega-3 DHA. 
• Wild Earth (100% Vegan Brand) – Peanut butter flavor hip and joint supplements with glucosamine, DHA, and Hyaluronic acid to combat inflammation and improve joint mobility. 

Problems With Commercial Pet Food

Recently, I met up with Ryan Bethencourt, founder of the new koji-based dog food company Wild Earth, and I learned some horrifying things about the commercial dog food industry. What I learned blew my mind, and made me extra glad I’ve been feeding Chance vegan dog food for the past decade.

Watch the video below and see my conversation with Ryan and find out what I learned…

Conventional meat-based dog foods don’t require high-quality standards when produced. That’s why many mainstream dog foods contain the lowest quality animal remains that are not fit for human consumption.

But it gets worse. Commercial dog food can legally contain a small amount of euthanasia drug. That. Is. Insane. It’s horrifying not only because euthanasia drug is not something you want to be feeding your dog, but even more so because it suggests that dog food companies are blending euthanized animals into their pet food. Blech!

I also learned about animal experimentation going on in the dog food industry. I had no idea! And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my dog’s morning kibble to cause another dog to be sentenced to life in a laboratory cage. Hard pass on that.

Where’s the Protein in Vegan Dog Food?

This guide wouldn’t be complete without taking a quick moment to tackle the protein question: Don’t dogs need meat for protein?

The truth is: dogs need protein and nutrients, not meat. There’s nothing that dogs need from meat that they can’t get from plant-based sources. This misunderstanding seems to be at the very center of the debate of whether to choose or not choose a plant-based diet. And this, as you well know, is the very same debate we have as human beings. 

We all agree that we and our pets need protein (even if it’s not as much as usually advertised), but the question is: Where is that protein coming from? We can find endless sources of protein in the plant kingdom. There’s no need to use animal products to keep our dogs healthy and thriving!

Related Article: Can Dogs Be Vegan? This Lawyer Left Her 10-Year Career to Find Out.

Do you have a vegan dog food story to share? If so, tag #WorldOfVegan on Instagram or Twitter so we can read all about it!