Article Last Updated November, 2023
Welcome to my best vegan dog food review for 2023.
I spent 14 hours researching and testing the most popular vegan dog foods. Then I ranked them based on plant-based protein quality, carbohydrate quantity, vitamin & mineral content, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
These vegan dog foods are the top picks among dog owners, and the good news is you certainly don’t have to break the bank to get high-quality vegan nutrition for your pup.
Choose one of these vegan dog foods, and you’ll get a safe, nutritious meal guaranteed to help keep your pet healthy and happy.
Ready to start feeding your pup delicious vegan meals? Let’s do it!
In a Hurry?…….Best Vegan Dog Food at a Glance
Contents
- #1 Lilys Kitchen
- #2 Green Petfood Veggie Dog
- 3. V-Dog
- #4 Yarrah
- #5 Hownd
- FAQs
- Can Dogs Get All The Necessary Nutrients From A Vegan Diet?
- What Are The Best Sources Of Plant-Based Protein For Dogs?
- Are There Certain Ingredients To Avoid In Vegan Dog Food?
- How Does A Vegan Diet Impact My Dog’s Energy Levels?
- What’s The Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian Dog Food?
- Is There A Transition Period When Switching My Dog To A Vegan Diet?
- Are There Any Potential Health Risks Associated With A Vegan Diet For Dogs?
- Can A Puppy Be Raised On A Vegan Diet?
- It’s a Wrap
#1 Lilys Kitchen
Best Wet Vegan Dog Food
Key Specifications –
- Key Ingredients: Potatoes, Lentils, Carrots, Courgette, Herbs, Botanicals, Vitamins and Minerals
- Texture: Wet
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Complete Vegan
- Suitable For: Adult dogs 4 months+
Introducing Lilys Kitchen, the ultimate plant-based pet food for your canine companion. More than just a vegan dog food brand, Lilys Kitchen offers a great subscription discount for pet owners who want to provide their furry friends with high-quality, nutritious meals.
Imagine feeding your dog the most sustainable energy source on the market. With 10% potatoes, Lilys Kitchen’s food is among the best for providing complex carbohydrates and fibre to support healthy digestion.
But wait, there’s more – Lily’s Kitchen features the most digestible vegan protein, using lentils for optimal metabolic function without causing digestive irritation. Your dog will thrive on this protein-packed, plant-based diet.
Not only that, but Lilys Kitchen’s vegan dog food is also rich in vitamins and minerals. With plant-based ingredients like courgettes, peas, milk thistle, and dandelion root, this food supports various functions in a dog’s body, including healthy bones and teeth and a robust immune system.
And if you’re looking for a high amount of antioxidants, look no further. Lilys Kitchen’s food contains 6% carrots, one of the best sources of antioxidants to help fight free radicals that can harm your dog’s body.
Are you worried about your dog’s dental issues or digestive sensitivities?
This Lilys Kitchen’s wet food is the easiest to chew and digest, thanks to its 74% moisture content.
You can also say goodbye to added sugar and fillers. Lilys Kitchen is free from unhealthy ingredients like sugar and low-cost sources of carbohydrates and fibre such as corn, wheat, and soy, which are known to trigger digestive allergies in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
And the cherry on top? Lilys Kitchen is B Corp Certified, meaning they meet the most rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
While Lilys Kitchen is working wonders for your dog’s health, there are a couple of aspects that might not be perfect, but in truth, I couldn’t find anything significant from looking at hundreds of customer reviews.
The packaging is not 100% recyclable, which could be a letdown for eco-conscious pet parents. But worry not; Lily’s Kitchen is already on the path to making its packaging fully recyclable in the very near future.
Other than that, some customers have experienced dented cans upon arrival, which might dampen the excitement for some, but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
With Lilys Kitchen, you’re not only feeding your dog the best vegan food on the market, but you’re also joining a community of pet owners dedicated to making a difference.
Sample Buyer Review
— Shirley Bowley
#2 Green Petfood Veggie Dog
Best Dry Vegan Dog Food
Key Specifications –
- Key Ingredients: Potato, Pea, Herbs, Fruits, Vitamins and Minerals
- Texture: Dry
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Complete Grain Free
- Suitable For: All breed sizes on a vegan-based diet or sensitive stomachs
Say hello to Green Petfood Veggie Dog, the perfect dry dog food option for your vegan or allergy-sensitive pooch! Green Petfood presents a top-notch, grain-free meal plan that’s chock-full of essential nutrients for your dog’s overall well-being.
Looking for a plant based dog food with loads of carbohydrates and fibre? Green Petfood’s Veggie Dog boasts 41% potato content, way higher than Lilys Kitchen’s 10%. This high percentage of potato protein ensures your pet gets long-lasting energy and a healthy digestive system.
This 100% vegetarian and grain-free formula also delivers valuable amino acids from peas and potatoes, contributing to your dog’s muscle development and overall health. Plus, Green Petfood supports healthy bones and teeth with its well-balanced mix of vitamins and minerals.
And that’s not all! Green Petfood Veggie Dog contains herbs and fruits, giving your dogs those essential nutrients and antioxidants they need to stay in great shape.
With prices 20% lower than Lilys Kitchen’s, Green Petfood is a budget-friendly choice for eco-conscious pet parents.
As an added bonus, Green Petfood backs climate-friendly projects and charities, making this brand an excellent pick for those wanting to make a positive environmental impact.
Now, there are a couple of things to consider before diving into Green Petfood Veggie Dog:
First, unlike Lily’s Kitchen, Green Petfood doesn’t have a subscription service which offers customers an additional 5% savings.
Second, Green Petfood uses dried potato, which might have lower quality and fewer nutrients due to processing methods, unlike Lilys Kitchen’s fresh potato ingredients.
And one last thing: Green Petfood contains 0.01% wool fat, which could be an issue for those seeking a totally vegan option.
So, to sum it up: Green Petfood Veggie Dog is a nutrient-rich, grain-free, and eco-friendly choice for pet owners wanting to give their dogs a vegan or sensitive stomach-friendly diet, with just a few minor differences to consider.
Sample Buyer Review
— Karen Ruggles Smith
3. V-Dog
Best for the Budget Conscious
Key Specifications –
- Key Ingredients: Vegetables, Harvest Cereals, Botanical Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals
- Texture: Dry
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Complete Meat-Free
- Suitable For: All breed sizes on a meat-free diet
Step up and meet V-Dog, the budget beast in the dog food ring. Since 1980, this brand has been a game-changer for pet parents wanting to serve meat-free meals to their four-legged friends.
Clocking in half the price of Lily’s kitchen and 35 % cheaper than the Green Petfood dry brand, with V-Dog, affordability meets nutrition – no compromises here.
Now let’s talk protein.
V-Dog flexes with a solid 24% protein content, outdoing Green Petfood’s 6%. But wait, there’s a twist: V-Dog’s protein power comes from maize gluten, a source that might stir up some tummy troubles in dogs with food sensitivities.
On the other side of the ring, Lily’s Kitchen lentil-based protein is the good guy, easier on your pooch’s belly.
But….
V-Dog isn’t just about protein. This formula for vegan dogs is packed with carbohydrates and fibre, thanks to the secret weapon – sweet potato. This superfood ensures your dog’s energy levels stay up and its digestive system remains strong.
And the hits just keep coming. V-Dog isn’t just a vegan dog food brands name; it’s a badge of honour for ethical practices. Certified by the UK Vegan Society and Vegetarian Society and approved as cruelty-free by PeTA, this brand’s commitment to sustainability is clear.
Crafted by professional animal nutritionists, V-Dog’s recipe ticks all the health boxes for vegan diets with essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
It’s also hypoallergenic, free from meat, soya, and dairy – the usual suspects of commercial dog food allergens.
But hold onto your hats, folks.
V-Dog does throw a curveball with the inclusion of whole wheat. Gluten-filled and potentially tough on digestion for some, it’s something to consider for dogs with specific dietary needs.
To wrap it up, V-Dog is a budget-friendly, high-quality, meat-free contender in the dog food arena.
It’s a solid choice for those looking to give their dogs a meat-free diet, though the maize gluten and whole wheat might be an issue for the over sensitive ones.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
Read Here: Best Dog Foods Guide
#4 Yarrah
Organic Vegan Brand
Key Specifications –
- Key Ingredients: Organic soya beans, wheat, corn, coconut fat, white lupine, baobab, vitamins and minerals
- Texture: Dry
- Life Stage: Adult
- Type: Organic
- Suitable For: All breed sizes that have sensitive stomachs or require immune support
Let’s talk Yarrah, the best organic choice for vegan dog food, perfect for eco-warriors, budget-conscious pet parents, and those who want to go green without breaking the bank.
Yarrah’s got you covered, with its price tag similar to Green Product Veggie Dog, and 20% cheaper than Lily’s Kitchen.
Yarrah is the ONLY 100% organic dog food to make our list, and it’s loaded with features usually seen in pricier options. We’re talking 22.3% protein from soybeans and white lupine, a high 41.6% carbohydrate content, and vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy and happy.
The packaging is 100% recyclable, so you can pat yourself on the back for doing your bit for the environment.
But wait, there’s more! It’s got coconut fat for an energy boost that’ll keep your dog’s tail wagging all day long.
Now, for the downside: Yarrah doesn’t offer any subscription discounts like Lily’s Kitchen and a few others, so no extra savings there.
However, the regular pricing is around 20% less than Lily’s kitchen.
It does contain some wheat and gluten, which might not sit well with some sensitive dogs’ tummies.
Yarrah is all about keeping a natural balance of organic and eco-friendly, so if that’s your jam, this is the dog food for you. Just be mindful of the wheat and gluten content, as it may not suit all dogs.
In a nutshell, Yarrah is a fantastic pick if you want affordable, organic, and eco-friendly dog food that still delivers quality.
Sample Buyer Review
— Joan Webster
#5 Hownd
Best Hypoallergenic Vegan Dog Food
Key Specifications –
- Key Ingredients: Sweet potato, squash, green beans, hemp, moringa, vitamins and minerals
- Texture: Dry
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
- Type: Complete Vegan
- Suitable For: All breed sizes with meat and dairy allergies
My final pick today is Hownd, the best choice for dogs with meat and dairy allergies and a boon for those following a vegan lifestyle.
With a range of vegan and ethical accreditations, Hownd’s quality is unmatched by most competitors on the market.
But that’s not all. Hownd is not just nutritious but also easy on the wallet. Their subscription model offers a whopping 20% discount, leaving Lily’s Kitchen’s measly 5% in the dust.
Hownd is packed with 28% protein content sourced from pea protein, corn, hemp, and potato, towering over my top pick Lily’s Kitchen’s 6%.
And, with a whopping 30% brown rice, it’s a fantastic source of complex carbs.
It’s also loaded with healthy ingredients like sweet potato, squash, and green beans, making it a complete vegan dog food that keeps your furry friend healthy and happy.
The cherry on top? Hownd’s recipe includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from hemp to keep your dog’s skin healthy and their coat shiny.
And with moringa – renowned for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties – your furry friend will feel better than ever.
But the real kicker? Hownd is 100% hypoallergenic and free from GMO, wheat, soya, fillers, additives, preservatives, artificial colours/flavours, and meat, making it a safe bet for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Of course, nothing’s perfect. Hownd does contain corn, a known allergen for some dogs, and the reason this product is not top of my picks.
And the packaging can be a bit of a challenge, with excessive cling wrap that ensures product freshness but can make it tricky to open and dispose of. But rest assured, the packaging is recyclable, so you’re doing your part for the environment.
In summary, Hownd is the ultimate choice for pet parents looking for a complete vegan dog food that’s both nutritious and budget-friendly.
It’s packed with high-quality ingredients, and the added bonuses of anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties make it stand out. Just remember to check for corn allergies.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
FAQs
Can Dogs Get All The Necessary Nutrients From A Vegan Diet?
You’re pondering if a dog can flourish on a vegan diet? This question is akin to a dog pursuing its own tail – it’s not as straightforward as it might initially appear.
With diligent meal planning and a good understanding of canine nutrition, it’s possible, though challenging, for a dog to subsist on a vegan diet.
It’s a balancing act because several key nutrients that dogs require – including protein, specific fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals – are more readily available in animal-based foods.
Consider Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient that’s predominantly found in animal products. There are also the amino acids taurine and carnitine, which are abundant in animal tissues and are integral for heart function and energy metabolism.
While dogs can produce these amino acids, a purely plant-based diet may not provide the necessary precursors for adequate synthesis.
Another important aspect is the fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6. These essential fats are beneficial for dogs, and though they can be sourced from certain plants, they’re more readily accessible from animal-based foods.
A recent study suggests that vegan diets are healthier and safer for dogs than conventional meat-based diets as long as they are nutritionally complete [1].
So, while it’s technically feasible for a dog to be on a vegan diet, it’s a complex process that demands patience, effort, and close monitoring.
What Are The Best Sources Of Plant-Based Protein For Dogs?
If you’re hunting for the best plant-based protein sources for your dog, you’re barking up the right tree. Foods like lentils, peas, quinoa, and soy can be excellent protein sources for dogs.
Plant-based proteins like those found in lentils, peas, quinoa, and soy can provide essential amino acids, but they typically lack certain amino acids found in animal proteins. For example, lysine and methionine, two essential amino acids, can be lower in plant-based proteins.
According to a recent study, dogs on a vegan diet tend to require higher levels of protein than those eating meat-based diets. This explains why you’ll often see plant proteins in higher concentrations in vegan dog foods [2].
Are There Certain Ingredients To Avoid In Vegan Dog Food?
Navigating the world of vegan dog food might have you asking if certain ingredients should be steered clear of. Much like the pesky squirrel that’s best left alone during your park walk, there are indeed elements that are better kept out of your pup’s bowl.
Here’s why you might want to avoid these:
- Onions and Garlic: These might be kitchen staples for us humans, but for dogs, they’re a big no-no. They contain compounds that can cause damage to a dog’s red blood cells, leading to a condition known as hemolytic anaemia. Symptoms can include weakness, lethargy, and a rapid heart rate.
- Chocolate: While it’s common knowledge that chocolate is toxic to dogs, it’s worth repeating. Theobromine, a compound found in chocolate, can cause various problems ranging from digestive issues to seizures and, in severe cases, can even be fatal.
- Certain Artificial Additives: Many artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives can potentially cause adverse reactions in dogs. These can include allergies, digestive problems, and behavioural issues. It’s always best to opt for natural, wholesome ingredients where possible.
How Does A Vegan Diet Impact My Dog’s Energy Levels?
Curious about how a vegan diet might impact your dog’s energy levels? It’s like wondering if your dog will still chase after its favourite ball – the answer depends on a few factors.
A well-balanced vegan diet can provide your dog with plenty of energy, but it’s crucial to ensure they’re getting enough protein and other essential nutrients.
What’s The Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian Dog Food?
If you’re scratching your head over the difference between vegan pet food and vegetarian dog food, you’re not alone. It’s a bit like trying to tell the difference between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Bull Terrier – they’re similar, but there’s a crucial distinction.
Vegan dog food contains no animal products at all, while vegetarian dog food might still include things like eggs or dairy.
Is There A Transition Period When Switching My Dog To A Vegan Diet?
When switching your dog’s diet to a vegan diet, you might wonder about a transition period. This is as crucial as taking the time to teach your dog a new trick. It’s typically recommended to gradually introduce the new food over a period of a week or so, allowing your dog’s stomach to adjust.
Are There Any Potential Health Risks Associated With A Vegan Diet For Dogs?
Worried about potential health risks associated with a vegan diet for dogs? It’s a bit like wondering if your dog could get hurt playing fetch – there are some risks to be aware of.
Key concerns include potential deficiencies in essential nutrients, like protein, certain amino acids, and vitamins, which can lead to health problems if not properly managed.
Can A Puppy Be Raised On A Vegan Diet?
Wondering if a puppy can be raised on a vegan diet? It’s a bit like asking if a puppy can learn to sit – it’s possible, but it requires some work. Puppies have specific nutritional needs to support their growth and development.
While it’s possible to raise a puppy on a vegan diet, it’s crucial to ensure they’re getting all the necessary nutrients, which might require supplements or specially formulated vegan puppy food.
It’s a Wrap
Thanks for reading today. If you have any feedback or think we have missed a product that should be included in this best vegan dog food uk guide, drop me a message in the comments below.
Sources –
- Carrington D. Like a dog with a bean … vegan diets found to aid canine health. the Guardian. Published April 13, 2022. Accessed May 16, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/apr/13/vegan-diets-are-healthier-and-safer-for-dogs-study-suggests
- Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D, Semendric I, Whittaker AL. The Impact of Vegan Diets on Indicators of Health in Dogs and Cats: A Systematic Review. 2023;10(1):52-52. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10010052
Jeff Carbridge is a dog behaviourist and trainer with 15 years of experience. He is strongly interested in nutrition and diet for both canines and humans. Jeff has been featured in several publications, providing expert commentary on dog-related topics. His knowledge and expertise make him a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve the health and well-being of their dogs.