Let’s get one thing straight: dogs are not little people in fur coats. They’re not designed to thrive on kale smoothies and chickpeas. Dogs are facultative carnivores—which means they can digest some plant matter, but they’re biologically built to eat meat.

So, let’s talk about the increasingly popular trend of feeding dogs vegan or vegetarian diets—and why, in my professional opinion, it’s not just misguided…it’s a form of animal abuse.

Dogs Need Meat. Period.

Your dog’s digestive system didn’t suddenly evolve just because a new brand of plant-based kibble hit the shelves. They have short gastrointestinal tracts built for digesting animal protein and fat, not breaking down cellulose-heavy plant matter.

Dr. Karen Becker, integrative vet and co-author of The Forever Dog, says it best: “Dogs need animal protein to thrive. Period.”

She’s spent decades researching longevity and wellness in dogs and has found that species-appropriate diets—based on meat, bone, and organs—are the most biologically supportive.

Feeding a dog a vegan diet may check your own ethical boxes, but it ignores what they need to live a long, vibrant life.

Can they survive on a vegan diet with enough synthetic supplementation? Technically, yes. But survival isn’t the same as thriving. And if your dog’s vitality, muscle tone, skin health, or energy levels take a hit, is it really worth forcing a human ethical ideology onto a completely different species?

The Protein Myth

Many plant-based pet food companies will boast, “Our kibble is 100% complete and balanced!” But here’s what they don’t tell you: not all proteins are created equal.

Animal proteins are “complete”—meaning they naturally contain all the essential amino acids dogs need. Most plant proteins are not. So, to meet minimum standards, vegan dog foods rely heavily on synthetic additives, lab-manufactured amino acids, and isolated protein fractions that don’t mimic how nutrients interact in real food.

This Frankenstein formula might pass AAFCO requirements on paper, but what happens inside your dog’s body is a different story.

According to Dr. Lisa Freeman, board-certified veterinary nutritionist and professor at Tufts University: “Meeting nutrient requirements with synthetic additives doesn’t equate to optimal health.”

Just because a lab says it’s “balanced” doesn’t mean your dog’s body will absorb and use it properly. And when nutrition becomes chemistry, you’re walking a tightrope—with your dog’s health on the line.

Taurine, L-Carnitine & Other Essentials

Deficiencies in key nutrients like taurine, L-carnitine, vitamin B12, and certain omega fatty acids are real concerns for dogs on meatless diets. These nutrients are found abundantly in animal tissue—but are scarce or missing entirely in plants.

You don’t have to look hard to find case studies of dogs developing heart disease (like dilated cardiomyopathy), muscle wasting, or neurological issues on vegan or poorly balanced vegetarian diets.

Ethics Shouldn’t Trump Biology

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: forcing a carnivorous animal to eat a plant-based diet to align with your personal ethics doesn’t make you more compassionate. It ignores their nature. And it risks their health.

There’s nothing kind about denying a dog the food their body needs just to feel better about your shopping cart.

If you want to eat plant-based—go for it. But don’t subject your dog to it. They didn’t choose this lifestyle—you did.

What You Can Do If You Care About Ethics

If animal welfare and sustainability matter to you (and I’m glad they do), there are better solutions than feeding your dog lentils and soy.

  • Source ethically raised meats from small farms or regenerative agriculture.

  • Rotate in raw or lightly cooked diets that use the whole animal to minimize waste.

  • Use sustainable proteins like pasture-raised poultry or wild-caught fish.

  • Supplement with plant-based superfoods—as a complement, not a substitute.

Support the environment and animal welfare without compromising your dog’s health.

Final Thoughts

Dogs aren’t vegan. And feeding them as if they are—despite mountains of biological and nutritional evidence to the contrary—isn’t just unnatural, it’s unethical.

If you truly love your dog, feed them like the carnivore they are. They’ll thank you with a shiny coat, strong muscles, a wagging tail, and hopefully, a long and happy life.

Come See Us at Odyssey Pets

At Odyssey Pets, we carry a wide variety of dog food brands that prioritize animal welfare and your pet’s health. From brands like Open Farm and Smallbatch with gently cooked recipes to raw blends made with ethically raised meats, we help you find options that support your values and your dog’s biology.

Stop by the store and talk with one of our knowledgeable team members—we’ll help you choose the right food that nourishes your dog from the inside out.

Because your dog deserves better than synthetic lentils and empty marketing claims.