Plant-based dog foods linked to lower environmental footprint, study says

A University of Nottingham study assessing 31 dry dog foods sold in UK supermarkets found that plant-based options produce a smaller environmental footprint than meat-based ones across several measures.

The researchers categorized the products as plant-based, poultry-based, veterinary-renal, or red-meat based and analyzed land use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water pollution, and freshwater withdrawal.

Plant-based foods had the lowest environmental impact, poultry-based foods were intermediate, and beef- and lamb-based foods carried substantially higher environmental costs.

For example, over nine years of an adult dog’s life, a 20-kg (44-pound) dog fed a beef-based diet would require about 57 football fields’ worth of land to grow its food, compared with roughly 1.4 fields for a plant-based diet, the study says. Rebecca Brociek, the study’s lead author, said, “Our findings show that there is a much greater environmental impact when producing meat-based pet food.”

Beef- and lamb-based foods had substantially higher impact than other foods across the measured dimensions. Researchers emphasized that the environmental signals favoring plant-based diets are clear in their data, though the implications for individual pets require careful consideration.

However, veterinary professionals cautioned that evidence about vegan diets for dogs remains inconclusive. Justine Shotton, past president of the British Veterinary Association, wrote in a blog that dogs are omnivores with specific nutritional needs that must be met to avoid deficiencies and disease, and advised consulting a veterinarian before changing any pet diet.

“The bottom line is that the jury is still out as to whether we should be feeding our pets a vegan diet,” Shotton said. “What we know is that your pet needs a balanced diet that is tailored for their age, health, weight and lifestyle. My advice is to always talk to your vet before changing any aspect of your pet’s diet.” Current guidance may evolve as new research emerges, she added, with the veterinary profession continuing to review evidence so that advice remains robust.

The study adds to an ongoing conversation about sustainable pet care, highlighting how choices made in pet nutrition can intersect with broader climate and environmental concerns. While the data point toward environmental advantages of plant-based pet foods, experts say individual health, nutrition requirements, and ethical considerations for pets must guide dietary decisions on a case-by-case basis.