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Pets’ environmental ‘paw-print’: new article gives more clarity on the sustainability benefits of plant-based pet food

Veterinarians at Omni are pleased to see a new summary article in The Conversation this week further highlighting the significant environmental benefits associated with feeding dogs a plant-based diet. 

 

The article, published in a leading academic media outlet, summarised the findings of Knight’s 2023 study on the sustainability benefits associated with feeding dogs a plant-based diet. 

 

The article summarises the “massive climate and nature benefits” realised by choosing to feed your dog a plant-based diet. Knight states that ‘if the world’s pet dogs were transitioned onto nutritious diets which excluded all animal products”, such as Omni’s range of nutritionally complete dry foods, “ we could save 0.57 gigatonnes of CO2 a year – this is significantly more than the all the GHG emissions the UK emitted in 2023 (0.38 gigatonnes). Moreover, this would also “liberate an area of land larger than Mexico, potentially for habitat restoration which would boost carbon capture and biodiversity”. 

 

Pet food and animal byproducts

 

Even more significantly, the article highlights findings from Knight’s 2023 study that contradict a widely held assumption: that animal byproducts (which are widely used in pet food) have a lower environmental impact, since they would otherwise be wasted. 

 

In fact, animal byproducts used in pet food have a larger environmental impact than human-grade meat, and the pet food sector’s demand for pet food increases the number of livestock animals farmed and killed. And as the article highlights, “more livestock means more land, water and waste, including the greenhouse gas emissions heating Earth’s climate to dangerous levels.”

Credit: Andrew Knight/MAD Ideas, 2024

 

Health benefits also associated with plant-based diets for dogs

 

In addition to these significant environmental benefits, the article reminds us that a large body of research has found various health benefits to be associated with plant-based diets for dogs. This includes 11 studies in dogs, and a systematic literature review that concluded there is no evidence of adverse effects when feeding dogs a plant-based diet, and also evidence demonstrating various benefits.

 

Knight noted that “certain health benefits appear consistent across the research, such as a reduction in obesity and of conditions that may be triggered by animal-sourced allergens, like itchy skin and ears and gastrointestinal problems.” 

 

To learn more about Omni’s range of health-first products, including nutritionally complete dry and wet food and targeted, soft-chew health supplements, browse our products here or get in touch with one of our vets for personalised advice. 

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