Lots of people think dogs require meat in their diet but there is scientific evidence to prove that dogs thrive on plant-based diets (7, 11, 31, 54). In fact some of the longest living dogs on record were fed entirely plant-based, like Guinness World Record holder Bramble, who lived to the age of 25 (16, 17). 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 (11), which is above average (32) and in certain parts of the world like India and Sri-lanka dogs have also been thriving on plant-based diets for generations (18).

Moreover, a recent peer reviewed 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 (54). Another research group found that dogs eating vegan diets required fewer lifetime medications and needed to visit the vet less frequently for health concerns (55). There’s now even data to show that plant-based dogs experience health benefits that their meat-eating counterparts don’t, such as improvements in gut health, resolution of skin complaints and reduction in anxious behaviours like aggression (59). One study also showed that dogs suffering from vitamin D deficiency after being fed a variety of popular meat based diets saw a resolution in their deficiency after switching to a vet formulated vegan dry food diet (72). The take home message is that dogs do not require meat, they need protein but this can come from delicious plant-based sources too (4, 5, 6, 31).

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 (22, 31) 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 (61), high levels of glucokinase (62) ,and having Type D tastebuds (63).

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).

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, 25, 34, 35, 64-69). Both these protein sources also contain all 10 essential amino acids (36, 37) that dogs need to thrive.

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 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*. 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 (59).

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. For those not quite ready to go fully plant-basee, 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.

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 (28, 31). Omni’s recipe is rich in plant-based sources of these nutrients so provides the necessary essential fatty acids required to thrive.