Can Dogs Really Get Enough Protein on a Plant-Based Diet?

As plant and novel protein diets become more popular, many dog people are asking an important question: can dogs really thrive without meat?

It’s a fair concern. Protein is essential for maintaining muscle strength, energy, and overall wellbeing. The good news is that dogs can absolutely get enough protein from alternative sources - as long as their diet is carefully formulated and nutritionally complete.

Let’s look at what current research shows.

Why Protein Matters for Dogs

Protein supports nearly every major system in a dog’s body. It repairs tissues, maintains healthy skin and coat, produces hormones and enzymes, supports immunity, and fuels daily energy.

What matters most are amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Dogs need ten essential amino acids that must come from their diet. These amino acids don’t have to come from meat - they just need to come from complete, balanced sources.

What About Essential Amino Acids?

Dogs require a specific balance of amino acids for proper health. High-quality plant ingredients such as pea protein, lentils, chickpeas, soy, and brown rice can supply these essential nutrients when used in the right proportions. Together, they can deliver the full amino acid profile needed for strong muscles, healthy skin, and overall vitality.

What the Science Says

There’s growing scientific evidence that well-formulated plant-based diets can meet dogs’ nutritional needs.

A 2024 study by Knight et al. found that dogs maintained equal or better health outcomes on nutritionally balanced vegan diets compared with those eating traditional meat-based foods.

Similarly, Domínguez-Oliva et al. (2023) reviewed multiple studies and concluded that vegan and mixed-protein diets can support normal health in dogs and cats when they meet established nutritional standards.

A 2025 analysis by Brocieck et al. in PLOS ONE compared complete plant-based and meat-based dry dog foods available in the UK. It confirmed that properly designed plant-based diets provided adequate protein and all essential amino acids.

Earlier research from Zafalon et al. (2020) also showed that nutrient balance and formulation quality, not the presence of meat, determine whether a diet is nutritionally sufficient.

Together, these studies show that dogs can thrive on plant-based diets when those diets are complete and formulated according to veterinary nutrition standards.

How to Know If Your Dog Is Getting Enough Protein

You can assess whether your dog’s diet is working by looking for visible signs of good health:

• Consistent energy and enthusiasm
  

• Strong muscles and healthy body condition
  

• Shiny coat and hydrated skin
  

• Regular digestion and comfortable stools
  

• Bright eyes and good overall vitality
  

If your dog shows these signs, their diet is likely providing the protein and nutrients they need.

Why Choose a Plant-Based Diet?

Choosing a plant-based or novel protein diet isn’t about removing meat - it’s about supporting health with high-quality nutrition. These diets can reduce exposure to common allergens, promote sustainable ingredient sourcing, and meet the same rigorous nutritional standards as meat-based diets when formulated correctly.

With the right evidence-based approach, dogs can thrive on diets that are nutritious, balanced, and environmentally conscious.

Sources

• Knight, A. et al. (2024). Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported health outcomes. Journal of Veterinary Science & Nutrition. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S240584402411609X

• Domínguez-Oliva, A. et al. (2023). The impact of vegan diets on indicators of health in dogs and cats. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860667/

• Brocieck, R. A. et al. (2025). Nutritional analysis of commercially available, complete plant- and meat-based dry dog foods in the UK. PLOS ONE. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0328506&type=printable

• Zafalon, R. V. A. et al. (2020). Nutritional inadequacies in commercial vegan foods for dogs and cats. PLOS ONE. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0227046&type=printable