What is the Best Vegan Dog Food in 2019? Top Natural Organic Plant-Based Brand Reviews
Vegan dog food was thought of in the past as something that would just come and go, but then it ended up sticking – much like it did with us humans. The reason why is that numerous research studies showed that for many dogs, a vegan diet can be beneficial. Dogs have had the same issues that we have had as people, from certain diseases, all the way to common ailments that affect only dogs. By switching your pet to a vegan diet in these cases, there have been significant signs of side effects being lessened, allergic reactions in dogs that have switched to the best vegan dog food plans, and even lower chances of getting things like ticks and fleas due to a different pH balance have occurred in many cases. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best vegan dog food on the market for your needs.
All About Vegan Diets
There are many challenges when it comes to putting your dog on a vegan diet, so you may wonder why exactly you would even want to that. Well, there are plenty of reasons. Some dogs actually are picky and finicky eaters, so they don’t even like the taste of meat. Other dogs may have allergic reactions to normal dog food, which have animal proteins in them, and when they won’t eat, it can be harmful to your dogs. Not only that, but if you feed them a vegan diet that doesn’t give them the crude protein and nutrients that they would get from eating regular dog food, you may face many health problems for your furry friends as well. That’s why this guide has a top list of foods which offers to make sure your pets are well fed, well taken care of, and all you have left is to give them the love, grooming, and attention they need to make a perfect family companion.
Pros of Vegan Diets For Dogs
Food allergies are one of the most common disorders that not only affect dogs with their skin issues (of course skin issues can be caused by fleas, ticks, mites, and even allergic reaction to certain things like grasses and more), and therefore it’s one of the main reasons why your pet will be put on a vegan diet. If you’re a vegan yourself, then it can also benefit you as you won’t have to deal with meat products in your home. The good thing is that a pet can greatly benefit from a vegan diet however, by getting rid of bacterial contamination as well, and even other food allergies (some pets are intolerant to certain meat and meat byproducts, as well as other ingredients which are in dog food that have no nutritional value for them).
Another great benefit of these products is that if you switch your pet to a vegan diet, you can know that you are doing your dog a favor, as well as your pocketbook. Even though there are many out there which are expensive, you can ensure that your pet is getting all of the nutrients that they need. This is ultra-helpful for you because sometimes your pet will get fuller faster, as well as start eating less and less, especially the older pets that already know what their bodies need when it comes to food (they are often less likely to just engorge themselves). This can end up saving you money in the long run once your dog is fully adjusted to this diet.
By feeding your pet a fully vegan dog food diet, you can actually increase their health drastically, as long as all of their nutrients are met. Skin conditions that aren’t just brought on by flees or food allergens, as well as diseases like Alzheimer’s and seizures can greatly impact a dog’s life. Feeding them a vegan diet can also decrease these, because sometimes it can be caused by ingredients which are in normal everyday meat-based dog foods.
Top 5 Vegan Dog Foods
The Downsides to Doggy Vegan Diets
There are of course some downsides with a vegan diet for your dog that you have to consider, but the most common of them is that it’s much harder to make sure that dogs get their essential nutrients compared to us humans. A vegan diet for your dog should only be approved by a veterinarian and you should always consult with them first, because their diet will be based on numerous factors, from breed, health conditions, size, and more. Because of all of these conditions, if you don’t follow a veterinarian’s advice and do plenty of research, you can even lose your furry family member, which you don’t want to do.
There are even more cons to go along with this as well. For example, dogs don’t have the same digestive tract as we do, so it’s a lot harder for them to digest veggies. Many animals have to be able to adjust, but once they do, they can greatly benefit as long as their nutritional needs are met. The most common issue due to the transition to a vegan diet is diarrhea. Dogs have a shorter intestine than we humans do, and even though it can adapt, it wasn’t originally designed to consume and thrive on plant matter.
If you thought maintaining your pet’s health was extensive, before, it becomes even more of a necessity when you put your dog on a vegan diet. You’ll need to make more routine checkups and veterinary visits to make sure your pet is taken care of properly, and getting the nutrients they need.
Best Vegan Dog Food Brands
#1 – Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance comes in multiple options for your convenience, price needs, and dog’s intake. This food provides grown dogs with the same protein intake that they would actually get with a meat-based dog food. The biggest difference though is that it uses brown rice, oatmeal, barley, peas, and even potatoes. Because of this blend, it has more vitamin Bs, and is completely natural, not containing any colors or flavors that are artificial.
- Most dogs can actually handle this flavor once adjusted to vegan diet.
- Comes in multiple sized bags up to 28lbs.
- Perfect for all breeds of adult dogs.
- 100 percent vegan.
- Contains the same amount of protein as most commercial diets.
- Provides all other macronutrients and vitamins your dog needs.
- Hundreds of reviews, almost all positive.
- Your dog may not like the flavor.
- Some users stated that it caused diarrhea.
- Higher in vitamin B than many other dog foods.
V-Dog Kinder Kibble Mini Bites Vegan Adult Dry Dog Food
V-Dog comes in small bitesize pieces that are perfect for older and smaller dogs. These Kinder Kibble mini bites are a “green” food for your dog. They claim that the negative effects that your dog can’t get all of the necessary nutrients they need is a common misconception, and that they can give you all of their nutrients in this food. It’s made of food such as peas, quinoa, lentils, and even brown rice. It claims to be one of the highest in protein at 24 percent protein, and even includes taurine, and L-carnitine, which are more common in meaty dog foods.
- They claim that all of their sources are healthier than competitors.
- High amounts of amino acids included.
- Helps maintain health and decrease problems like allergic reactions and skin issues.
- Does not use corn, soy, wheat, gluten, or other fillers.
- Not very many reviews, but almost all are positive.
- Only comes in 4.5lb bags so not very cost effective.
- Made only for adult small and toy breeds.
- Has added taurine.
- Some dogs don’t like it.
- Not for larger dogs or younger ones.
- Higher in protein than most even most commercial dog foods.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Vegetarian Formula Dry Dog Food
According to Royal Canin, their dog food is one of the most selected dog foods on our list. The food contains absolutely no meat products (and is completely animal friendly), and includes linoleic acid, biotin, and even zinc, which every puppy needs for healthy skin and a healthy coat. Another great benefit they claim to have is that their product is great with pets that have incontinence due to urinary problems, like bladder stones and kidney infections.
- Helps with pet’s urinary tract.
- Completely meat free.
- They claim their product is very tasty for your pup.
- Healthy alternative for all breeds and sizes of dogs.
- Helps with pets that have sensitive digestion problems.
- Does not contain literally every nutrient you need to feed your pet.
- Comes only in 17lb bag.
- Not very friendly price-wise for what you get.
- Not good for dogs that have hard time chewing.
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Canned Dog Food
If you’re wanting a blend of vegan dog food that is similar to the dry dog food provided by Natural Balance, then you should definitely look at this Nature’s Balance blend. Made from great all natural ingredients, this non-meat soft dog food is an excellent treat for your dog, and is optimized to satisfy the needs of nearly all sizes and breeds. It is selectively crafted for adult dogs, and is very similar to the common pate style foods that dogs know and love. It contains a good 5 percent crude protein blend, with a 3 percent min crude fat, and only 1.5 percent crude fiber. Loaded with vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, as well as brown rice, barley, and oat groats, it also has potato protein and dried tomato pomace in it.
- Has the most positive reviews.
- Made of excellent ingredients to ensure optimal nutrition.
- Has plenty of crude protein for your pet.
- Natural Balance is made in the United States of America.
- Some state that the food’s texture is inconsistent.
- Your dog may not want to eat it because it is a vegan food.
- It can cause digestive problems (diarrhea).
- It contains potato.
- It contains tomato.
Halo Holistic Garden of Vegan Adult Dry Dog Food
Halo has been making vegan dog foods, treats, and more for a little while now, and many people love them. They contain all natural ingredients that are quite popular. They boast that their non-GMO plants are where they get all of their vegan ingredients from, and they have a 20 percent crude protein content. They use green peas, chickpeas, barley, oat groats, pea protein (also commonly found in human vegan meal supplements and is an excellent source), and much more.
- No meat protein is 100 percent vegan.
- No corn, dairy, or rice in their ingredients.
- Gluten free, and has sweet potatoes, blueberries and carrots.
- Contains natural omega 3 fatty acids.
- Comes in 4-lb, 10-lb, and 25-lb bags.
- Decent price.
- Adult dogs only
- This formula has non-wheat gluten.
- States it is for all breeds and ages, but is for adults.
- Your dog may not like it or eat it.
- Food has a strong odor.
Wysong Vegan Dry Dog & Cat Food
This food is very unique as it’s the only dog food on our list that is also a safe vegan alternative for cats as well. It has a large number of ingredients that are organic and has both an older formula and a new formula that are optimized for your pet’s health. This product contains both corn protein, and potato protein, and even taurine and amino acids that they claim are essential to your dog’s (or cat’s) needs along with the vitamins as well.
- Contains more protein than other brands, as well as fat.
- Perfect for both cats and dogs or all ages.
- Made in the United States.
- Contains probiotics to help your pet digest it.
- Contains corn.
- Contains taurine.
- Contains potatoes.
- Many ingredients are hard for animals to digest.
- Your pet may not like it (or at first).
- More expensive than others for the volume.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food
The champion of all commercial dog foods aside from Iam’s is no stranger to the vegan and professional pet health field. Purina’s Pro Plan offers a way to give food sensitive dogs a unique vegetarian formula that offers more simple ingredients for protein. It has an 18 percent crude protein content minimum, and is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids your dog needs to thrive. At the same time, it claims the ingredients in it are more tailored to help your dog digest it well. It claims to help your pet furthermore also aid your pet with constant itching, and more.
- Purina is a very well-known and respected brand.
- The food is made in the U.S.A.
- Optimized for dogs that have dermatitis, food allergies, bowel problems.
- Hydrolyzed protein is easy to digest.
- Many sized options to choose from.
- The price is much higher than most.
- Contains corn starch as the main ingredient.
- The protein is soy protein isolate.
- They claim to be allergen free, but there are allergens in it (soy).
- Contains garlic oil.
- Requires veterinary authorization to order it.
Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Cuts in Gravy Stew
Nature’s recipe veggie stew is very similar to that of what you would see in regular meaty stew, but with a vegan twist. The meaty chunks are made of Soy chunks and it has many other ingredients which are completely vegan, but are optimal for your dog’s health. Contains numerous vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids to help your dog. Also contains garlic spice in order to help your dog be able to fight fleas and skin problems.
- Super soft for dogs in a flavorful gravy.
- Made for animals to help them with their coats.
- Claims to be a complete balanced diet for your dog.
- Recipe is meant to meet nutritional needs of only adults.
- Contains soy and soy protein.
- Contains green beans.
- Ingredients can cause diarrhea.
- Gravy consistency isn’t always the same.
Eganver’s Low Fat Vegetarian Dinner Canned Dog Food
Engaver has released another solution of theirs to the vegan pet food market, and this time, they’re bringing you canned dog and cat food. With plenty of vegetables loaded into it, as well as fruits like sweet potatoes, cranberries and blueberries, they claim their product is wonderful and cats and dogs both love it. It’s higher in protein and vitamin content for your pet. It also contains dried eggs for even more of a protein and fat mixture that’s great for your dog.
- Great wet food for adult pets.
- Made in the United States with no additives and preservatives.
- Made of many beneficial ingredients.
- A great transition from “meat-based” products to vegan diets.
- Can be a great additive to your dog’s current dog food.
- Price is not that high.
- This is not a vegan product. Only vegetarian (contains eggs).
- Many negative reviews.
- Not a lot of pets like this food.
- Doesn’t keep very long after opening.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Vegetarian Canned Dog Food
Royal Canin is at it again, and this time, they’re bringing you canned dog food. Using brewer’s rice, soy protein isolate, brown rice, and many other added vitamins and minerals, and even special additives like a super tiny amount of marigold extract to help your pet by acting as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Because of this, this food is great for urinary tracts for dogs, as well as being completely vegan.
- Good for all sizes and breeds.
- Helps with protein allergies.
- Marigold extract is a great anti-inflammatory in many dog foods.
- Available in a 24-case pack.
- Most reviews are very good on the product.
- Contains marigold extract.
- Not very many reviews or Q&A’s available.
- Requires a vet authorization.
- Contains soy.
- Only available in a case of 24.
- Price can be a little high.
Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Dog Food
And the winner of the most beneficial pet food in our eyes is the Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Dry Dog Food (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). Why? Because it doesn’t contain corn and soy for starters. There are a few cons, but this is to be expected, and most of the problem is that pets don’t want to eat it at first, which is understandable. Dogs are natural omnivores (who normally eat a lot of meats more than anything). It may take some time for your pet to adjust, so in this case, you may want to introduce it into their dog food slowly, then ultimately your pet will suffice. The price of the product is in the medium range compared to all of the dog food, but for the best product and quality, you’ll want something that your pet will actually like.
As mentioned earlier in this article, you want to make sure your pet is getting all of their nutrients, and that’s what you get with Natural Balance as well. And it has plenty of reviews (almost all 5 stars) out of the products out there if you want to worry about what other people think of the product. Not only that, but out of all of the foods, most dogs actually enjoy eating this food, and it has what your dog needs to maintain healthy skin and a great fur coat, which is a sure telltale sign that your dog is getting all of the nutrients it needs. If it’s not what you want to go for, you can easily look at the pros and cons and all of the others on this list and see why it’s the best, but feel free to shop around and remember to always speak to your vet first.
Leave a Reply