A new study has examined health outcomes for 2,536 dogs who were fed a conventional meat, raw meat, or plant-based diet for at least a year.
Seven indicators of illness were studied, along with 22 specific health disorders. The results show that dogs fed plant-based diets had superior health outcomes to those fed conventional meat for all seven indicators, with the difference described as “substantial and statistically significant”.
The plant-based dogs were also more than 50% less likely to develop six specific health disorders — body weight problems, musculoskeletal issues, gastrointestinal issues, swollen anal glands, and dental or oral problems. No health disorder was consistently more prevalent in dogs fed a plant-based diet.
Furthermore, the plant-based group was 21% less likely to have multiple veterinary visits per year, 33% less likely to be considered unwell, and significantly less likely to be on medication compared to dogs eating conventional meat-based food.
In general, dogs on a raw meat diet appeared to have better outcomes than those eating conventional food, but worse outcomes than those on a plant-based diet. However, the study authors note that guardians who feed raw meat are less likely to visit the vet, meaning the health outcomes of these dogs may be significantly worse than the results suggest. Additionally, they caution that raw meat diets may damage health due to contamination with pathogens and nutritional deficiencies.
“The power of novel proteins”
A fast-growing body of research indicates that plant-based diets can be beneficial for dogs; in 2022, a peer-reviewed study by UK pet food brand Omni found that dog owners reported several statistically significant changes after switching to Omni’s plant-based food, including improvements in digestion and activity levels. Additionally, research conducted in Canada last year found equally good health outcomes in dogs fed plant-based and meat-based diets.
However, the new study is notable as it controls for medically relevant demographic features that may influence health outcomes, while also taking into account objective data such as frequency of visits to the vet. The results come just weeks after the British Veterinary Association changed its policy on meat-free diets for dogs, acknowledging that “It is possible to feed dogs a plant-based diet”.
“At Omni, we’ve always believed in the power of novel proteins to improve the health and happiness of our dogs,” said Omni co-founder and Chief Veterinarian Dr Guy Sandelowsky. “It’s always validating to see this being affirmed by yet another academic study. As a vet, I’m particularly pleased to see this study using clinical data such as reported veterinary assessments in this research, which makes the study’s conclusions even more credible.”
