Study Finds Vegan Diets Are ‘Well-Digested’ By Both Dogs And Cats

A recent study led by veterinary professor Andrew Knight has found that vegan and vegetarian diets are well-digested by both dogs and cats. The study, published in the journal Animals, reviewed 31 studies that assessed the digestibility of plant-based diets and ingredients in companion animals. Overall, vegan and vegetarian diets were found to be highly digestible compared to meat-based diets.

Knight's findings suggest that nutritionally sound vegan and vegetarian diets can be suitable for dogs and cats, challenging the belief that these diets are less digestible than conventional meat-based ones. He recommends that pet carers carefully check product labels to ensure they are nutritionally complete, and come from reputable pet food companies that provide information about the diet's nutritional soundness. This study may provide reassurance to animal guardians considering vegan diets for their pets, as the global vegan and plant-based pet food market continues to grow driven by increasing consumer interest in animal welfare, sustainability, and companion animals' health and wellbeing.