Tag Your Dog on a Plant-Based Lifestyle With the Best Vegetarian Dog Foods
Dogs are our best friends and faithful companions for better or worse. Watching a movie? Your little friend is right by your side, waiting for the climax. Thinking of going for a walk? They are more excited than you! Overall, we can say that dogs being your partners for life, can do everything you do, including eating a vegetarian diet. If you are enthusiastic about a vegetarian lifestyle, it is about time you start including your dog in it as well. Canines can live, in fact, thrive on non-meat meals if you give them suitable vegetables in appropriate portions. To make things simpler, we reviewed the best vegetarian dog foods in 2024 that can boost your dog’s health and allow them to stay active and happy.
Best Vegetarian Dog Foods Buying Guide
To buy the best vegetarian dog food, you need to have appropriate knowledge about a particular product. Our buying guide covers everything you need to know before buying the best product.
What Things To Keep In Mind When Buying the Best Vegetarian Dog Food?
When looking for your favorite vegetarian dog food, the following things must be kept in mind.
Ingredients
Vegetarian or vegan dog food contains plant-based ingredients which might not interest some canines. If you want to switch your dog on a vegetarian diet, it is always recommended to opt for a feed that contains vegetables that your dog likes.
Weight
The weight of the package you purchase depends on how many dogs you feed daily and your canine friend’s size and breed. Usually, dog foods come in different sizes ranging anywhere between 4 lbs to 25 lbs, so you can buy one that suits you the most. Many people also opt for larger sizes which allows them a one-time expenditure and no worries for months.
Shelf life
Vegan or vegetarian dog food is made from all-natural products, which means shorter shelf life than other processed products. If you cannot purchase air-tight containers for your dog food, it is advisable to pick packages with longer shelf life or smaller in size.
Protein content
Before you pick dog food, it is highly recommended to check the protein content. Dogs require 1 gram protein per 1 pound of their ideal weight. If your chosen vegetarian dog food does not have good protein content, you can opt for different foods or supplements recommended by the vet.
Breed
One of the critical things that most dog owners sometimes neglect is that dog food is not suitable for every breed. You need to pick the package according to the size and breed of your dog unless it’s labeled ‘ideal for all dog breeds.’
What Are The Benefits of Vegetarian Dog Food?
Given below are the benefits your dog can obtain by opting for all-vegetarian dog food.
Less excretion odor
Odor coming from your dog’s litter pad or when he poops outside can be horrendous and hard to pick. With a vegetarian feed, your dog takes less meat and maintains a healthy bowel movement regularly. This reduces the unpleasant odors from your dog’s excrement.
Minimum digestive issues
Digestive issues like loose bowel movement or constipation are common in canines, especially if they eat too much or too little protein. A vegetarian diet has a sufficient amount of natural protein with no fillers that ensure your furry friend has regular bowel movements with no digestive distress.
What Are the Types of Vegetarian Dog Foods?
There are two types of dog foods with no meat ingredients: canned and kibbles.
Canned
Canned vegetarian dog food is packed with flavors and has higher protein content. Apart from having a better flavor profile, they are also much more filling than kibbles. However, canned dog food is much more expensive and should not be given every day.
Kibbles
Kibbles are dry food with all the contents required for a healthy dog diet. Besides being highly nutritional, it is also much lower in cost with a longer shelf life. You need to store kibbles in a dry environment to maintain their quality.
What Are the Best Vegetarian Dog Foods?
Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food
– Best Vegan Formula
Natural Balance Dog Food is a true vegan formula for your canine friend. Made from brown rice, it is an excellent source of carbohydrates and vitamin B, ensuring that your dog gets enough nutrition to stay active and energetic. It also consists of oat groats which are not just rich in carbs but also fiber and vitamin E that help you maintain your dog’s weight.
Additionally, potatoes and peas are a part of this thorough vegan formula, an excellent source of complex vitamins and minerals to live a long healthy life. This dog food comes in 3 different packaging of 4.5 lbs, 14 lbs, and 28 lbs so that you can pick one according to your budget and requirements.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Available in 3 sizes
- Contains dog-friendly ingredients
- It might cause allergies in some dogs
Halo Vegetarian Dog Food
– Best Plant-Based Formula
If you are looking for an entirely plant-based diet for your dog, then Halo Vegetarian Dog Food might be the best meat alternative of all time. It is a nutritionally balanced vegan recipe that contains all the essential ingredients that reduce your dog’s carbon footprint in this world. Made from protein-rich ingredients, it contains chickpeas, green peas, and wholesome grains that allow your dog to live a long, fulfilling life without heart complications.
Ideal for adult dogs, it highlights a complete recipe so that your canine friends can maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, it comes in 2 flavors: Garden of Vegan and Ocean of Vegan. Both are available in 3 different sizes to pick one according to your requirement.
- 2 flavors and 3 sizes for convenience
- Best non-meat dry food for dogs
- Ideal for vegetarians and vegans
- Dogs might be sensitive to some ingredients
V-Dog Vegetarian Dog Food
– Best Vegan Kibbles
Your big dogs need a lot of nutrition which most people think is impossible without a meat-based diet. However, V-Dog Vegan Kibbles is an ideal meal for all large dogs that are 100% plant-based and formulated by experts for the nutrition of adult dogs. Formulated without any animal products, wheat, corn, soy, and dairy, V-Dog is packed with essential amino acids so your dog can have a healthy heart and digestive system.
This vegetarian dog food comes with a 24% clean protein and allergy-friendly base, so your furry friend stays active and lives a fulfilling life. Additionally, you can also find a vegan dry mini dog food for smaller dogs ensuring that you don’t have to find another brand.
- A highly nutritional diet formulated by experts
- Contains vegan-friendly and additive-free ingredients
- Great for all-sized dogs
- Plant-based protein might not be likable by picky eaters
Wild Earth Vegetarian Dog Food
– Best No-Filler Ingredients
Delivering high amounts of protein, Wild Earth is one of the most natural dog foods that ensure your dog receives plenty of protein daily. It is made from natural dog-friendly vegan ingredients like oats, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and no fillers for an active and healthy canine.
Also, the recipe is backed by science, ensuring that your dog receives a complete diet, easy on their digestive system regularly. It comes in a 4 lb bag, which can last easily for 15 to 30 days depending on your dog’s requirements, guaranteeing a reasonable purchase.
- Natural ingredients
- Vegan formula
- Easy on the digestive system
- Only available in one size
HA Hypoallergenic Purina Dog Food
– Best Hypoallergenic
HA Hypoallergenic is the leading brand for pets, and it has shown its quality in this hypoallergenic all-vegetarian dog food. Available in the form of pellets, Purina Dog Food is ideal for all breed sizes so that you don’t have to opt for a different brand for different dogs. This single hydrolyzed protein source ensures your dog is receiving adequate nutrition regularly.
With its single low allergen carbohydrate content, this product ensures that the diet is free from all soy and dairy products, so your dog remains active without any digestive distress. Moreover, each bag contains 6 lbs of dry pellets allowing you to buy a complete supply for a hassle-free month.
- Hypoallergenic ingredients
- Best for all breed sizes
- Low allergen content
- Can only be consumed if recommended by the vet
- Picky eaters might not enjoy it
People Also Asked
A: Since it is usually available for adult dogs, you need to speak to your vet before feeding your puppy a non-meat diet. Puppies have high nutritional requirements which must be met to ensure proper growth.
A: You can incorporate 25% of vegetarian dog food for the first week or two in its standard diet and observe changes in bowel movement. If there are no changes, add 25% more every week until your dog eats a vegetarian feed comfortably.
A: Not really. Some people mention a urinary infection for dogs on a vegetarian/vegan diet, but there is no scientific study to back that.