I love my dogs. They’re my family and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them. Over the years, that’s included feeding them meat and poultry even though I’m vegan. It’s always upset me, but I thought I was doing what was best for them. But then it dawned on me, if a vegan diet is healthier for me, wouldn’t it also be healthier for my dogs? Could, and should, dogs be vegan, too?
While that may have seemed ludicrous not so long ago, today, vegan dogs are having their moment, and it’s not only vegans making the switch for their companion animals. People are turning to plant-based diets for dogs with food sensitivities and chronic illnesses, and in response to the seemingly endless stream of conventional dog food recalls. In fact, there are dozens of vegan dog groups on Facebook, countless how-to videos on YouTube, and the commercial vegan dog food marketplace is booming. This a very good thing according to Dr. Richard Pitcairn, co-founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy and author of Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats.