Recently, the popularity of plant-based (vegan) dog food has raised ongoing concerns about nutritional deficiencies. Previous studies have also indicated that vegan food may not adequately supply nutrients compared to meat-based food. However, meat and functional foods also have similar nutritional shortcomings.
A research team at the University of Nottingham in the UK noted that "an analysis of 31 types of commercial dry dog food (19 meat types, 6 plant-based types, 6 functional types) revealed that none of the products met the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) standards for adult dog nutrition," as published in the international journal PLOS One on the 3rd (local time).
FEDIAF sets standards for the content of essential nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to ensure that pets can receive all necessary nutrients in a balanced manner from a single meal.
Previously, it had been pointed out that plant-based vegan food does not contain these essential nutrients evenly. A study in Brazil in 2019 reported that some essential amino acids were lacking in vegan food, and a 2020 study in Canada confirmed that vegan food had lower levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin B, which are primarily found in meat. However, these studies only analyzed the ingredient lists of some products, and no comprehensive studies comparing actual market products have been conducted.
This study also found that vegan food often fell below standards in iodine and vitamin B content. The researchers emphasized that while these deficiencies can be easily supplemented, manufacturers need to improve food formulations in the long term.
However, it was also found that there are no meat-based or functional foods for disease management that completely meet the essential nutrient requirements.
In terms of protein and amino acid content, vegan food and meat-based food showed overall similar levels. All products met the standard for vitamin D, but only 55% (17 types) of the total met the amino acid standards, 16% (5 types) for minerals, and 24% (4 types) for vitamin B. Additionally, 66% of the kidney functional food with reduced protein was found to be lacking in at least one essential amino acid.
The researchers stated that these results will serve as important data for dog owners when selecting food. Rebecca Brociek, a veterinarian and lead researcher, said, "It is generally thought that dogs need meat to be healthy, but what is important is not the meat itself but the right nutrients," adding, "Vegan food showed a level similar to meat-based food, but some nutritional gaps were found in all products."
Brociek added, "This study analyzed based on adult dog standards, so research reflecting the nutritional needs of growing puppies is needed," and emphasized the need to confirm how much of the nutrients included in the food are actually absorbed.
References
PLOS One (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328506