By vpets Pty Ltd

06/11/2026 More Australians are going plant-based, and for some, that extends to what they feed their dogs. It's a reasonable thing to wonder about, but it's also a topic that attracts a lot of strong opinions. Here's what the evidence actually says.

Are dogs carnivores or omnivores?
This is where most debates start. Dogs are omnivores, not obligate carnivores like cats. That means they can digest and derive nutrition from both plant and animal sources. Their digestive systems have adapted over thousands of years of living alongside humans, and they process starch quite differently from wolves.
That said, "can survive on" and "thrives on" aren't the same thing. The question isn't just whether vegan food is possible, but whether it meets every nutritional requirement your dog has.

What the research says

A notable 2022 study published in PLOS ONE followed over 2,500 dogs and found that those fed nutritionally complete vegan diets were no less healthy than dogs on conventional meat-based diets. In fact, some health indicators slightly favoured the plant-based group.

Key takeaway: a well-formulated vegan diet can be appropriate for dogs. A poorly formulated one, whether vegan or not, causes problems.
Nutrients to watch closely
If you're considering a vegan dog food diet, these are the nutrients that need careful attention:
Nutrient
Why it matters
Common plant sources
Protein
Muscle maintenance, organ function
Lentils, chickpeas, soy
Taurine
Heart health
Must be supplemented
L-carnitine
Energy metabolism
Supplementation needed
Vitamin B12
Nervous system function
Fortified foods or supplements
Vitamin D3
Bone health
Algae-based D3
Omega-3 fatty acids
Skin, coat, inflammation
Flaxseed, algae oil
Taurine deserves special mention. Dogs can synthesise it, but not always in sufficient quantities on plant-based diets. Any quality commercial vegan dog food Australia product should include it as a supplement.
Homemade vs commercial vegan dog food
Homemade vegan diets for dogs are genuinely risky without veterinary nutritionist input. Getting the balance right is harder than it looks, and deficiencies often don't show up until real damage has been done.
Commercial options formulated to AAFCO or similar standards take that guesswork away. Look for:

• "Complete and balanced" labelling
• Inclusion of synthetic taurine and B12
• Clear protein sources and percentages
• Manufacturer transparency around feeding trials
  

When a vegan diet might actually make sense
Some dogs genuinely benefit from switching away from meat-based food. Reasons vets sometimes recommend plant-based options include:

• Food allergies or intolerances to common animal proteins (chicken, beef, lamb)
• Inflammatory skin conditions linked to dietary triggers
• Owner preference, where a nutritionally complete alternative exists

In these cases, dog food veg options formulated for complete nutrition aren't a compromise; they're a legitimate dietary solution.
The bottom line
A vegan diet can work for dogs, but only when it's nutritionally complete. Don't wing it with home recipes, and don't assume any plant-based product automatically qualifies. Read labels, talk to your vet, and choose products that meet established nutritional standards. Your dog's health is too important to leave to guesswork. For learn more https://www.vpets.com.au/