Last week, the BVA publicly announced support for vegan diets for dogs, a huge step and moment for the industry. At Omni, we are thrilled to share this groundbreaking news from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has officially ended its opposition to vegan diets for dogs, marking a huge potential advancement in animal health and welfare as well as planetary protection.

 This decision reflects a growing recognition of the viability and benefits of plant-based diets for our canine companions. For years, the pet food industry has been dominated by products from large corporations like Royal Canin, Hills, and Purina. These companies have traditionally advocated for meat-based diets, often influencing industry recommendations through their significant market presence and sponsorships.

 Historically, small animal nutrition has been an area with limited formal training for many vets, with only one vet school in the UK having a Board Certified Nutritionist on its panel. This lack of specialized knowledge often leads vets to recommend familiar, meat-based brands. However, the tide is turning as more information about the nutritional adequacy and potential benefits of vegan diets for dogs becomes available.

 At Omni, we have always believed in the power of novel protein nutrition to promote health and longevity in dogs while also supporting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of pet food production and the meat industry. This landmark decision by the BVA not only validates our mission but also paves the way for greater acceptance and adoption of novel protein and vegan diets for dogs.

The BVA's shift underscores the importance of an evidence based approach and the ethical considerations and sustainability in pet nutrition. As we continue to innovate and advocate for plant-based diets, we are excited about the positive changes this will bring to the industry and to the lives of dogs everywhere.

Join us in celebrating this significant milestone for animal welfare and the environment. At Omni, we are committed to providing nutritious, sustainable, and ethically produced pet food that meets the highest standards of quality, health and well-being for your furry friends.

 Read the announcement here: https://www.accesswire.com/892669/british-veterinary-association-ends-opposition-to-vegan-diets-for-dogs

FAQs

But aren’t dog’s carnivores?

Dogs are in fact nutritional omnivores as demonstrated by a robust scientific study published in the reputable journal Nature (1,2) in which it was shown that they have 30 copies of the AMY2B gene responsible for digesting plant-based foods.

They have also evolved relatively long intestines (21) (almost as long as humans) and relatively flat surfaces on their molars (31, 22) which they use for digesting and chewing a whole range of foods.

The common misconception that dogs are carnivores probably arises from the fact that they are classified in the order Carnivora but so are plenty of other species like bears, skunks, racoons who are omnivores and even the giant panda who thrives on a plant-based diet (20).

Is plant protein digestible to dogs?

Absolutely yes, studies which have looked at how much protein dogs can absorb from plant-based and fungi-based foods like soya and yeast demonstrated over 75% digestibility which is on par with meat-based foods (23, 24, 34, 35 & 25).

Both these protein sources also contain all 10 essential amino acids (36, 37) that dogs need to thrive.

Isn't there too much fibre in plant-based food?

The average amount of fibre in a commercial dog food diet is between 2-4%. omni’s plant-powered recipe has a fibre content of 3% which is on par with meat- based diets.

In our survey with over 200 dog owners, 100% reported that their dog’s stool consistency was either ‘normal’ or ‘perfect’ and there were no reports of any digestive upsets (data on file).

Can I mix omni with other meat-based diets?

We are proud that our recipes are nutritionally complete and so include everything your dog needs to thrive. This means omni can be fed as a sole ration. We also fully support a 'flexitarian approach' like meat free lunches or using omni as a mixer.

Every little helps to bring some of the health and environmental benefits of plant-power to meal times. Mixing omni with meat/fish will help to add variety into your dog’s diet whilst adding in healthy ingredients with a relatively low carbon footprint.

Can plant-based food provide the essential fatty acids dogs need?

All the essential fats and oils that dogs need, including omegas 3 and 6 are found in a variety of both meat and plant-based foods (31, 28).

omni’s recipe is rich in plant-based sources of these nutrients so your dog will get all the essentials they need.

I hear a lot about feeding raw meat, isn’t that better?

Feeding raw meat to dogs has become a very popular trend in recent years, but most vets will warn against this practise. This is because the cooking process is vital to help kill off dangerous bacteria like E coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter (9) that have necessitated several food recalls from the market and caused serious illness and even death in both dogs and their owners (40, 41, & 42).

There are also several worms and parasites that are only killed off when raw meat is cooked. Dogs are dogs, not wolves and thanks to their domestication over thousands of years, thankfully don’t need to hunt to get their grub nor do they need to eat raw meat, it's just not worth the risk.

References

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