Digestibility of vegan diets for dogs - New study update

Absolutely! Studies which have looked at digestibility of novel protein sources in dogs have demonstrated over 75% digestibility which is on parsential amino acids (protein building blocks) that dogs need to thrive.

A study reported in the Vet Times in 2023 did indeed find that dogs eating plant-powered diets were living up to 18 months longer than their processed-meat eating counterparts.

Yes! Trust and transparency are core values at Omni so you can shop with absolute confidence. If your dog doesn't like our products, contact the team within 30 days and we will arrange for a refund and ask that you return any unopened products.

We’ve worked with Climate Partners to show that compared to a traditional pet food diet, Omni is up to 72% more resource efficient in terms of CO2 emissions, land and water use. We also never rely on the slaughter of livestock to produce our products and use recyclable paper bags for our life stage diets.

Our friendly customer excellence team is on hand to help answer any questions you may have. Simply email us 24/7 at woof@omni.pet or call us on 0204 538 4509 (Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm). We also offer a complimentary vet consultation service to prospective and existing customers. Our highly experienced and friendly vets can help guide you on your pet’s general health requirements and when appropriate make necessary nutritional and health recommendations, please follow the ‘Vet Appointments’ tab in the menu bar to book.

Omni Rescue Soft Chews are free from common dog allergens, including animal protein, dairy products, soya, and grain, so they are suitable for sensitive dogs.

Yes, lots of our customers mix and match across the soft chew supplement range and are happy with the results, which can even be complimentary. If you have any specific concerns about this please contact our customer excellence and vet team on woof@omni.pet for further assistance.

Our soft chew supplements are tasty AND effective to help you bond with your pet whilst you support their health and well-being. They come in a 1-a-day chew for convenience and are all novel protein so great for allergy prone dogs. They are formulated by vets using evidence-based ingredients.

Choosing the “Flexible plan” subscription option on the product page will unlock the lowest price, the discount varies between products but is up to 55% off and you can to change, edit or cancel your orders as per your future needs.

We certainly hope so - our vet team formulated each supplement variant to choose ingredients with an evidence base for their efficacy. Where this was lacking, ingredients were selected based on sound scientific principles and reasoning to support their use. The benefits of our and other pet supplement lines are constantly being studied and reviewed, and we continue to evaluate ingredient inclusions over time based on these findings.

Due to extremely low inclusion levels of ‘active’ ingredients in our functional treat range, giving both products alongside one another is not contraindicated.

We generally recommend administering a daily soft chew for a minimum of 4-6 months to see the full benefits, though you might notice subtle improvements before this point. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please get in touch with our vet team by email at woof@omni.pet.

Lots of people think dogs require meat in their diet but there is scientific evidence to prove that dogs thrive on non-meat diets too. In fact, vets have been recommending novel protein diets for allergy-prone pets for generations and with great results. Interestingly, one of the longest living dogs on record was fed an entirely plant-based diet, Guinness World Record holder Bramble, who lived to the age of 25. In one study reported by world-renowned vet and professor of animal welfare at The University of Winchester Dr. Andrew Knight, the median life expectancy of plant-based dogs was reported to be almost 13 years old. Moreover, a recent peer-reviewed, survey-based study that monitored thousands of dogs eating various diets found that those on vegan diets lived up to 18 months longer than those eating conventional meat-based diets and that fewer lifetime medications were needed in their lifetimes. The take-home message is that dogs can and do thrive on novel protein diets like Omni.

Dogs are in fact nutritional omnivores as demonstrated by a robust scientific study published in the reputable journal, Nature, 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 (almost as long as humans) and relatively flat surfaces on their molars which they use for digesting and chewing a whole range of foods. Dogs also have other hallmarks of an omnivore such as producing salivary amylase, high levels of glucokinase, and having Type D tastebuds. 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, raccoons who are omnivores and even the giant panda who thrives on a plant-based diet.

Studies which have looked at how much protein dogs can absorb from novel protein sources such as yeasts, algae, and pulses demonstrated over 75% digestibility which is on par with meat-based foods. These protein sources also contain all 10 essential amino acids that dogs need to thrive.

The average amount of fibre in a commercial dog food diet is between 2-4%. Omni’s novel adult food recipe has a fibre content of 3% which is on par with meat-based diets. In our taste test trials with over 200 dog guardians, 100% of participants reported that their dog’s stool consistency was either ‘normal’ or ‘perfect’ and there were no reports of any digestive upsets (data on file). Additionally, recent peer-reviewed research that was published in a scientific journal showed that out of 100 dogs eating the Omni diet for up to a year, 90% with watery faeces saw an improvement after switching from a meat-based diet to Omni and 86% of dogs with soft faeces became more firm/normal after switching to Omni.

We are proud that our main meal recipes are nutritionally complete and so include everything your dog needs to thrive. This means Omni can be fed as a sole ration and this is ideal for allergy-prone dogs as other proteins could trigger symptoms. Where this is not possible, we also fully support a ‘flexitarian approach’ using Omni as a mixer. Every little helps to bring some of the health and environmental benefits of novel protein to meal times.

We are proud that our recipes are nutritionally complete and so include everything your dog needs to thrive including omega fatty acids.

Buff P.R., Carter R.A., Bauer J.E., Kersey J.N. (2014) Natural pet food: A review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology.

J. Anim. Sci.;92:3781–3791. doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-7789 Axelsson E., Ratnakumar A., Arendt M.L., Maqbool K., Webster M.T., Perloski M., Liberg O., Arnemo J.M., Hedhammar A., Lindblad-Toh K. (2013) The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet.

Nature; 495:360–364. doi: 10.1038/nature11837 The Europe an Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) Nutrition [Accessed on 3 June 2021] Available online: http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition/

Gentle World Good Nutrition for Healthy Vegan Dogs [Accessed on 3 June 2021] Available online: http://www.webcitation.org/6inelZmNQ Peden J. (1999)

Vegetarian Cats & Dogs. 3rd ed. Harbingers of a New Age; Troy, MT, USA Semp P.-G. (2014) Master’s Thesis. Veterinary University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria: Vegan Nutrition of Dogs and Cats Brown W.Y., Vanselow B.A., Redman A.J., Pluske J.R. (2009)

An experimental meat-free diet maintained haematological characteristics in sprint-racing sled dogs. Br. J. Nutr.;102:1318–1323. doi: 10.1017/S0007114509389254 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Dog Health Survey. [Accessed on 3 June 2021] Marks S.L., Rankin S.C., Byrne B.A., Weese J.S. (2011)

Enteropathogenic bacteria in dogs and cats: Diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment, and control. J. Vet. Intern. Med.;25:1195–1208. doi: Carrión P.A., Thompson L.J., Motarjemi Y., Lelieveld H.L. (2014)

Food Safety Management: A Practical Guide for the Food Industry. Academic Press; London, UK: pp. 379–395

Boyer C.I., Jr., Andrews E.J., deLahunta A., Bache C.A., Guterman W.H., Lisk D.J. (1978) Vegetarian versus meat-based diets for companion animals. Animals 6, 57.

Accumulation of mercury and selenium in tissues of kittens fed commercial cat food. Cornell Vet.;68:365–374. Anonymous.

Your Pet’s Dog Food Could Be Dangerous. [Accessed on 8 December 2014] Available online: http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?s=10181278&nav=23iiCT45. Porecca K. (1995)

Personal letter to James Peden re: Interview of University of California (Davis), North Carolina State University, and University of Guelph Researchers investigating the connection between dilated cardiomyopathy and diet. Perry T.
What’s Really for Dinner? [Accessed on 7 July 2016] Available online: http://www.webcitation.org/6ipEL5YVR https://www.bordercolliefanclub.com/bramble-the-vegan-dog-lives-to-189-years/ https://aminoapps.com/c/vegan/page/blog/vegan-dog-lives-to-27-years-of-age/ https://v-dog.com/blogs/v-dog-blog/vegan-diets-for-dogs-what-about-longevity https://www.fediaf.org/39-prepared-pet-foods/80-understanding-labels.html https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/vegan-dogs-a-healthy-lifestyle-or-going-against-nature/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/7-interesting-facts-about-your-dogs-digestive-system http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/dogpage.html Felix AP, Zanatta CP, Brito CB, et al. (2013)

Digestibility and metabolizable energy of raw soybeans manufactured with different processing treatments and fed to adult dogs and puppies. J. Anim Sci;91:2794–2801. Carciofi A, de-Oliveira L, Valério A, et al. (2009)

Comparison of micronized whole soybeans to common protein sources in dry dog and cat diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol;151:251–260. Yamka R, Kitts S, Harmon D. (2005)

Evaluation of low-oligosaccharide and low-oligosaccharide low-phytate whole soya beans in canine foods. Anim Feed Sci Technol;120:79–91. Hill D. (2004)

Alternative proteins in companion animal nutrition, in Proceedings. Pet Food Assoc Canada Fall Conf;1–12 Hazewinkel HA, Tryfonidou MA. (2002)

Vitamin D3 metabolism in dogs.Mol Cell Endocrinol;197:23–33. Boland R, Sklar M, Curino A, et al. (2003)

Vitamin D in plants: a review of occurrence, analysis, and biosynthesis. Front Plant Sci;4:136 Knight, A. and Leitsberger, M. (2016).

Vegetarian versus meat-based diets for companion animals. Animals 6, 57. Dodd SAS, Adolphe JL, Verbrugghe A. (2018)

Plant-based diets for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Dec 1;253(11):1425-1432. doi: 10.2460/javma.253.11.1425. PMID: 30451617. https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_how_long_do_dogs_live [Accessed 2 June 2021] https://www.utep.edu/leb/pleistnm/stuff/stuff2.htm [Accessed 2 June 2021] M S Martins, N K Sakomura, D F Souza, F O R Filho, M O S Gomes, R S Vasconcellos, A C Carciofi (2014)

Brewer’s yeast and sugarcane yeast as protein sources for dogs, J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2014 Oct;98(5):948-57. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12145. Christina Golder, James L Weemhoff, Dennis E Jewell (2020)

Cats Have Increased Protein Digestibility as Compared to Dogs and Improve Their Ability to Absorb Protein as Dietary Protein Intake Shifts from Animal to Plant Sources 24;10(3):541. doi: 10.3390/ani10030541. Henkel J. (2000)

Soy. Health claims for soy protein, questions about other components. FDA Consum ;34(3):13–15,18–20. Yalçin, Sakine & Erol, H & Özsoy, Bulent & Onbaşılar, I. (2008)

Effects of the usage of dried brewing yeast in the diets on the performance, egg traits and blood parameters in quails. Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience. 2. 1780-5. 10.1017/ S1751731108003170. Rosser EJ (1993)

Diagnosis of food allergy in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association; 203(2):259-262. Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. (2016)

Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals: common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res.12:9. Published 2016 Jan 12. doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0633-8 https:// www.kentlive.news/whats-on/shopping/salmonella-fears-spark-urgent-recall-4328262 https:// www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-31-2020 L. Martinez-Anton, M. Marenda, S.M. Firestone, R.N. Bushell, G. Child, A.I. Hamilton, S.N. Long, M.A.R. Le Chevoir (2018) Investigation of the Role of Campylobacter Infection in Suspected Acute Polyradiculoneuritis in Dog https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/10/four-stec-infections-one-person-dead-after-exposure-to-raw-pet-food/ https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/12/scientists-criticise-trend-for-raw-meat-pet-food-after-analysis-finds-pathogens https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/10/26/processed-meat-and-cancer-what-you-need-to-know/ D.F. Merlo, L. Rossi, C. Pellegrino, M. Ceppi, U. Cardellino, C. Capurro, A. Ratto, P.L. Sambucco, V. Sestito, G. Tanara, V. Bocchini (2008)

Cancer Incidence in Pet Dogs: Findings of the Animal Tumor Registry of Genoa, Italy https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0133.x Journal of veterinary internal medicine https://www.pfma.org.uk/_assets/docs/White%20Papers/PFMA-Obesity-Report-2019.pdf https://www.pfma.org.uk/grain-free-factsheet https://fediaf.org/images/FEDIAF_Nutritional_Guidelines_2020_20200917.pdf https://www.ksvdl.org/resources/documents/dcm-forum/Confidential-Abstract-for-release-October-14-2020-Final.pdf https://www.ksvdl.org/resources/documents/dcm-forum/DCM-Forum-SolomonOpening-Remarks.pdf https://stpetersbark.com/finally-theres-no-evidence-linking-grain-free-diets-and-non-hereditary-heart-conditions-in-dogs/ Okin GS (2017)

Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0181301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181301 Dodd, S., et al.Owner perception of health of North American dogs fed meat- or plant-based diets. Research in Veterinary Science, Volume 149 ,2022, Pages 36-46, ISSN 0034-5288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.06.002. Knight A, Huang E, Rai N, Brown H (2022)

Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health. PLOS ONE 17(4): e0265662. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265662 Vale RJD, Vale B.

Time to Eat the Dog?: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living: Thames & Hudson; 2009. https://www.andrewnknight.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Lawton-New-Sci-2022-09-24.pdf Pedrinelli V, Teixeira FA, Queiroz MR, Brunetto MA. Environmental impact of diets for dogs and cats. Scientific Reports 2022;12(1):18510. Mike Davies.

Reported Health Benefits of a Vegan Dog Food – a Likert Scale-type Survey of 100 Guardians. Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research 6 (2022): 889-905. Davies, M., Alborough, R., Jones, L. et al.

Mineral analyses of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines. Sci Rep 7, 17107 (2017).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17159-7 Contreras-Aguilar MD, Tecles F, Martinez-Subiela S, Escribano D. Bernal LJ, Cerón JJ. Detection and measurement of alpha-amylase in canine saliva and changes after an experimentally induced sympathetic activation. BMC Vet Res. 2017 Aug 22;13(1):266. doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1191-4. PMID: 28830550; PMCID: PMC5568211. Ballard FJ.

Glucose utilization in mammalian liver. Comp Biochem Physiol. 1965 Mar;14:437-43. doi: 10.1016/0010-406x(65)90218-5. PMID: 14314983. Kanazawa H. Fine structure of the canine taste bud with special reference to gustatory cell functions. Arch Histol Cytol. 1993 Dec;56(5):533-48. doi: 10.1679/ aohc.56.533. PMID: 8129987. Ingenpaß L, Abd El-Wahab A, Ullrich C, Kölln M, Ahmed MFE, et al. (2021)

Nitrogen output in the urban environment using a vegetarian canine diet. PLOS ONE 16(9): e0257364. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257364 C. L. Cargo-Froom, A. K. Shoveller, M. Z. Fan, 227

Apparent and true digestibility of minerals in animal and vegetable ingredient based adult maintenance dog food, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 95, Issue suppl_4, August 2017, Page 112, https://doi.org/10.2527/ asasann.2017.227 Venturini, KS, Sarcinelli, MF, Baller, MA, Putarov, TC, Malheiros, EB, Carciofi, AC.

Processing traits and digestibility of extruded dog foods with soy protein concentrate. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2018; 102: 1077– 1087. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12894 R. C. Hill, C. F. Burrows, G. W. Ellison, J. E. Bauer,

The effect of texturized vegetable protein from soy on nutrient digestibility compared to beef in cannulated dogs, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 79, Issue 8, August 2001, Pages 2162–2171, https:// doi.org/10.2527/2001.7982162x Carciofi, A.C., Takakura, F.S., De-Oliveira, L.D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J.T., Brunetto, M.A. and Prada, .F. (2008),

Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92: 326-336. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1439-0396.2007.00794.x Julia Guazzelli Pezzali, Charles Gregory Aldrich,

Effect of ancient grains and grain-free carbohydrate sources on extrusion parameters and nutrient utilization by dogs, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 97, Issue 9, September 2019, Pages 3758–3767, https://doi.org/ 10.1093/jas/skz237 https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/11862-fda-dcns-dcm-updates-no-causality- data-with-dog-foods https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/high-levels-of-potentially-harmful- bacteria-found-in-raw-meat-dog-food-products/ Linde A, Lahiff M, Krantz A, Sharp N, Ng TT, Melgarejo T.

Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year. bioRxiv. 2023:2023.02.18.525405.

Our Vet Formulated novel protein food toppers are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. They have a fibrous, meat-like texture that dogs love and are enriched with high protein, vitamin B12, and iron. Perfect for picky eaters, they can also be enjoyed as a healthy snack between meals.

Our toppers can be enjoyed by your doggo in lots of different ways, including: Boosting Their Meals: Just sprinkle some over your dog’s regular food to add extra flavor and excitement. Tasty, Healthy Snack: Serve on its own as a protein-packed treat between meals. Help for Picky Eaters: Got a fussy doggo? Our toppers add variety and make mealtime way more appealing. Hide Medications with Ease: No more battles over pills! Just mix them in, and your dog won’t even notice. Fun Enrichment Activity: Spread some on a food mat or inside their favourite treat toy for a tasty, interactive treat that keeps them entertained.

Yes! Our toppers are formulated by vets to be a nutritious and beneficial snack. They are enriched with essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and high-quality meat-free protein, which contribute to muscle maintenance, energy levels, and overall well-being. Free from artificial additives and allergens like beef, chicken, and dairy, they are an excellent option for dogs with food sensitivities.

Whilst the toppers can be used for any meal type, for the best results, we recommend using our toppers with Omni’s nutritionally complete meals. The toppers are also a great way to encourage a transition to Omni food.

Absolutely! No-Beef Bites & No-Chick Chunks are free from common allergens like beef, chicken, and dairy. They use novel proteins, making them perfect for dogs with food sensitivities.

The toppers are a complementary food and should be fed alongside your dog's complete meals to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Yes, our vets formulated the treats to be free of common allergens like soya, dairy, animal by-products and artificial colorants and so they should be suitable for your allergy prone doggo.

Each bag has 70g worth of treats, that’s about two cupped hands full of yummy treats!

The active ingredients in the treats are low, so you can safely give plenty of treats without worrying about overdoing it. That said, as with any treats, we recommend that snacks and treats do not make up more than about 10% of your dogs daily calorie intake to prevent excess weight gain.

Absolutely, all the treats have different recipes and flavours and we would encourage you to try them all! They also bring different benefits, so by mixing them up, you’ll be giving your dog more of these benefits together, our variety pack is the most popular choice.

All the treats are small enough that even tiny dogs can eat them (roughly the size of a large olive). That said our “Growing Pups’ treats are smaller, and enjoyed by many adult dogs so if this point is a concern, maybe try this variety first.

Yes, the levels of active ingredients are very low, so it’s perfectly safe to mix these treats with supplements for joints, calming etc.

Yes, if you subscribe to the treats, you will get complimentary access to our vet consultation service, delivered by video call, 24/7!

When shopping on our website the easiest way to find the lowest product prices is by selecting the ‘Flexible Plan’ option. This will enable a subscription that is perfectly tailored to your needs including a flexible repeat delivery schedule, ongoing product discounts of up to 55%, as well extra loyalty points per purchase made.

Yes, absolutely. To view your account in order to skip a delivery, swap a product or amend anything else, simply log in using the email address you entered to make the purchase and set up your unique password. This will also be where you can review your loyalty points and where you can redeem free gifts and further discounts. Our customer excellence team are on hand 24/7 to assist with cancelations or should you get stuck or have any questions, kindly email us at woof@omni.pet

Yes, our subscriptions plans are fully flexible and you can choose any delivery frequency that suits your needs. When shopping on our site, you will see certain popular delivery frequencies pre suggested e.g 4 weeks, 6 weeks etc. If none of these seem to fit with what you’d like, please select what ever is closest and then log in to your account post purchase to update to your preferred frequency. Our customer excellence team are also on hand 24/7 to help you with this, kindly email woof@omni.pet for assistance.

Simply log in using the email address you entered to make the purchase and set up your unique password. From our account page, you will have the option to update your method of payment. Our customer excellence team are also on hand 24/7 to help you with this, kindly email woof@omni.pet for assistance.

We aim to deliver next day in the UK on all orders placed before midday, Monday - Friday. At weekends or during particularly busy periods, deliveries can take 2-5 days. We thank you in advance for your understanding. Selecting a subscription (Flexible plan) when choosing your product not only allows you to pre-book your preferred delivery date but also gives you access to the lowest price on our website.

Yes, all our products are packaged with recyclable materials and ink - the delivery box can be recycled with your usual cardboard recycling.

We work with a variety of delivery companies including Royal Mail, DPD, My Hermes. If you have a preference please email us at woof@omni.pet and we can try to help switch over to your preferred courier.

The courier delivering your item will contact you directly via the email/mobile phone number provided with delivery updates. Please liaise with them directly if you know you won’t be in so they can reschedule, leave the item in a safe place or any other preferred option. If you’re expecting contact from the couriers and not had any, please check your junk folder and /or email as at woof@omni.pet for assistance.

We offer all our customers access to our UK vet team for complimentary support and advice. To book your free appointment with one of our friendly vets, kindly use the top navigation bar on our website and follow prompts to ‘Vet Appointments’. On the call, you will have the option to use the video function, which can be useful to show the vet any particular areas of concern on your pet, though this is not mandatory.

You’re free to book in whenever you’d like to but we highly recommend booking in before anything is wrong. That way you can get acquainted with our vet team and should something come up in the future, we have a normal baseline to compare it to.

Yes, our vets operate a chat service on our website and if you’d rather use this to ask a question rather than booking in an appointment, kindly click the floating chat button as your browse the site. Please note, we are only able to offer this service during hours the vets are online and this can vary week to week.

Yes, please visit (and join) our ‘Talk to a vet: Omni Pet’ Facebook group. We have a vibrant online community of pet guardians asking questions about their pets health and wellbeing that you are welcome to be part of.

This service is not intended to replace your in person vet service. Though we will do our best to assist in whatever questions you have, certain conditions require in person examinations and care that our online service is not able to provide.

In case of any emergency, we always advise you to contact your in person vet right away as our service is not designed to replace this and we cannot guarantee instant appointments.