Last Updated: 16/09/2026
Vegan and Vegetarian Dog Food: Vet Guide
Can dogs eat a vegan or vegetarian diet? Our vet explains the risks, safe options and the best vegetarian dog food in Australia.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
More dog owners across Australia are asking whether their pup can go vegan or vegetarian too. The good news is dogs are far more flexible eaters than cats, so with the right approach, a meat-free diet can work well, as long as it's done properly. If you're after info for your cat, we've got a dedicated guide on whether cats can be vegan or vegetarian.
Dogs are omnivores, so they can do well on a carefully formulated vegan or vegetarian diet, as long as it's balanced for key nutrients like taurine, L-carnitine, vitamin B12 and calcium. These nutrients are naturally found in meat, so a plant-based diet needs proper formulation to make sure your dog isn't missing out. Anyone considering a meat-free diet for their dog should consult a veterinary nutritionist first to make sure the diet meets all their nutritional needs.
It is estimated that there are 1.5 billion vegetarians globally, 75 million of which are vegetarians by choice (compared to those in developing countries who are vegetarians due to necessity)1. The number of voluntary vegetarians and vegans is predicted to increase, and so too will the number of pet owners who wish to feed their pets a vegetarian diet.
Are dogs carnivores or omnivores?
Dogs are omnivores, not carnivores. Yes, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) belongs to the order Carnivora, but they're an incredibly evolved species.
But... wolves?? A popular idea says dogs should eat like their wild ancestor, the Grey Wolf, since a dog's anatomy (teeth built for cutting and slicing, plus a shorter intestinal tract) looks built for meat alone.
However, dogs were domesticated by humans around 33,000 years ago and have evolved considerably since, picking up features that let them digest plant-based foods too, including increased gene expression for pancreatic amylase, the ability to convert maltose to glucose, and increased uptake of intestinal glucose - abilities wolves never had. So dogs can well and truly be considered biologically omnivorous.
What are the risks of a vegan diet for dogs?
Dogs can thrive on a well-formulated vegetarian diet, but a poorly planned one can fall short on a few key things: amino acids, particularly taurine and L-carnitine; total protein, since plant ingredients are generally lower in protein and digestibility than meat; and vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and iron, which are more naturally abundant in meat and animal products.
How do you safely feed a dog a meat-free diet?
There are two main routes: a commercially made meat-free or pescatarian diet, or cooking at home.
A commercial diet is simplest for keeping nutrition complete and balanced - browse our range of dog food to compare options, or check out our specialty dog food guide if you're looking for something different. Home-cooking gives full control over ingredients, but it's notoriously tricky to get right without the help of a veterinary nutritionist.
What commercial meat-free diets are available for dogs?
Commercial vegetarian diets are rare in Australia, but a handful of prescription diets for food allergies happen to be meat-free - not for ethical reasons, but because a hypoallergenic diet often ends up meat-free by default. These are prescription-only, so chat to your vet about whether one suits your dog. Read more in our guide to hypoallergenic dog food.
Top commercial meat-free diets for dogs
Royal Canin Anallergenic
Royal Canin Anallergenic uses poultry feather protein that has been extensively hydrolysed so that it is mostly composed of pure amino acids. It does also contain animal fat, and fish oil, so it cannot be considered vegan nor vegetarian. This diet is formulated for the purpose of diagnosing and managing food allergies. It is manufactured under pharmaceutical grade conditions to prevent cross-contamination from other proteins.
Pro Plan Hydrolyzed HA
Proplan Veterinary Diet HA is formulated for the diagnosis and management of food allergies in dogs. It contains hydrolysed soy as the protein source instead of animal meat. It would be considered vegan except for the inclusion of lanolin as a source of vitamin D3 from sheeps wool.
Royal Canin Hypoallergenic
Royal Canin Hypoallergenic utilises soya protein isolate as its protein source. However, it does contain small amounts of animal fat, and poultry liver, so it cannot be considered vegan or vegetarian. This diet is formulated for the diagnosis and management of food allergies. It may be more cost-effective for large breed dogs who tolerate a soy-based diet.
What pescatarian options are available for dogs?
A pescatarian diet is not vegetarian - though it is meat-free except for fish and other seafood (if you've heard someone call themselves a "vegetarian who eats fish", pescatarian is the correct term). If you're happy to include fish, you're in luck, there's a wide range of pescatarian diets on the market.
Fish-based diets are also often a good option for dogs with skin issues. The high concentration of beneficial fish oils, combined with being free from common allergens like chicken, beef, dairy and often grains, means many owners notice an improvement in coat and skin quality.
Just double-check the full ingredients list, since some pescatarian diets sneak in other meat sources like poultry oil.
What does the research say about vegan diets for dogs?
It's easy to assume commercial vegetarian diets are more likely to fall short nutritionally than meat-based ones. But US research2 found nutritional inadequacies turn up just as often in meat-containing pet foods as vegetarian ones, so every diet is worth assessing on its own merits.
Brown et al. (2009)3 followed sprint-racing Siberian Huskies on a vegetarian diet for 16 weeks and found no detectable health problems or anaemia, compared to dogs on a meat-based diet. Semp (2014)4 used blood tests to evaluate the health of a number of vegetarian cats and dogs, and no significant concerns were found.
The bottom line: a vegetarian diet, especially one that includes eggs, is a realistic option for dogs and isn't as risky as once thought.
References
Leahy E., Lyons S., Tol R.S. ESRI Working Paper. Volume 340 ESRI; Dublin, Ireland: 2010. An estimate of the number of vegetarians in the world. https://www.esri.ie/pubs/WP340.pdf
Knight A, Leitsberger M. Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals. Animals (Basel). 2016 Sep 21;6(9):57. doi: 10.3390/ani6090057. PMID: 27657139; PMCID: PMC5035952. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5035952/
Brown, W. Nutritional and ethical issues regarding vegetarianism in the domestic dog. https://www.une.edu.au/staff-profiles/ers/wbrown/files/brown-raan-2009-vegetarian-dog.pdf
Semp, P. 2014. Vegan Nutrition of Dogs and Cats. https://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/hochschulschriften/diplomarbeiten/AC12256171.pdf
Articles recommended for you
Wondering if natural, grain-free, or plant-based dog food is right for your pet? Explore this guide to specialty dog diets in Australia, covering key benefits, safety considerations, and nutrition facts to help you feed your dog with confidence.
Confused by pet food labels? Our expert guide compares popular Australian brands on price, protein, and fat content. Learn how to look past the marketing to find a high-quality, digestible diet that supports your pet's long-term health and wellbeing.
Is your budget pet food actually a bargain? We explore why premium diets are more cost-effective due to higher digestibility, fixed recipes, and smaller feeding portions. Learn how to provide high-quality nutrition without breaking the bank.
Have you wondered about what is in your pets food? Read more to decipher what each ingredient is!
Pet food labels can be confusing. Check out this guide to help decipher what all those ingredients mean in terms of health and nutrition for your pet.
What actually makes pet food "premium"? Our vets break down formulation, ingredients and cost, and whether it's worth paying more.
Want to support local? Our vet's guide makes it easy to choose Australian-made pet food. Discover top Aussie brands, compare their benefits, and see where your pet's food is really made. Feed them the best while supporting our economy and a more sustainable future.
Wondering if you are feeding an age appropriate diet to your pet? Find out more about what their age means for your pets health and how nutrition can help.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 16 Sep 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
