Vegetarian dog food?

Written by Indy | July 28, 2025

Vegetarian food has become an integral part of today’s society. As humans, we are increasingly engaged with it. There are many reasons to choose a vegetarian lifestyle: it’s better for the environment, helps prevent animal suffering, and benefits your health — as well as your wallet. But can we extend this trend to our pets, and in particular to our dogs? In other words: can you feed a dog a vegetarian diet? We’ll explain!

Can you feed your dog a vegetarian diet?

When it comes to cats we have already covered this in our blog ‘Is a vegetarian diet suitable for a cat?’. In this article we look more closely at the possibility of vegetarian, or even vegan, food for your dog.

Is a dog a meat‑eater?

The dog is descended from the wolf and is therefore classed as a carnivore – a meat‑eater.

Today, though, the picture is less black and white. Dogs have lived alongside people for hundreds of years and many could no longer survive unassisted in the wild. Historically, dogs were often fed household scraps, which contained only a tiny proportion of meat. Over time the canine digestive tract has adapted so that it can also process plant material. The dog has thus become more of an omnivore – albeit one equipped with a carnivore’s teeth.

This differs from cats, which rely on nutrients of animal origin for their very survival.

Unlike cats, dogs can manufacture many amino acids themselves – taurine, for instance. Vitamin A is also less of a concern for a dog than for a cat.

Why choose a vegetarian diet for a dog?

You might opt for a vegetarian diet for your dog for the same reasons people choose one for themselves. If you are vegetarian, you may find it difficult to give your dog meat. Animal‑welfare and environmental considerations can also play a role.

For the dog there may be another key reason: food allergy. Most canine food allergies are triggered by animal proteins. In such cases a vegetarian diet can be a genuine option.

How do you feed your dog a vegetarian diet?

To be certain your dog receives all the nutrients he needs in the right amounts, we always recommend choosing a commercial diet. These complete foods are formulated so that all vitamins and minerals are present in the correct proportions.

Examples of vegetarian dog foods include:

If you decide to prepare your dog’s food yourself, it is wise to consult an animal‑nutrition specialist; otherwise there is a significant risk of nutrient deficiencies arising.

Can you also feed your dog a vegan diet?

Vegan diets go one step further than vegetarian diets. Vegan means that no products of animal origin are eaten at all — so no dairy or eggs either. This can cause problems for dogs. A fully plant-based diet can lead to deficiencies in essential amino acids, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, and B vitamins.

In our range, we have compiled an overview of Vegan Dog Foods.

Especially when it comes to a well-balanced vegan diet for your dog, it is recommended to choose a commercial, complete food to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Is vegetarian food suitable for every dog?

Vegetarian food is usually suitable for adult dogs who are free from health problems.

Vegetarian and vegan diets are often not suitable for puppies and dogs that have higher energy needs for other reasons. Protein and fat are the main energy sources, and these are lower in plant-based diets.

Also, plant-based food can be less palatable for your dog. Meat is often the flavour enhancer in dog food.

So, should you feed your dog vegetarian food — yes or no?

You can choose to feed your dog a vegetarian or even vegan diet, provided you pay close attention to what you are offering. It must be a complete diet with all the nutrients your dog needs.

If you have doubts about a product, always seek good advice or have the food analysed by an animal nutrition specialist.

Also, always monitor how your dog responds to the diet.

If you have any questions about vegetarian dog food, please contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.