When it comes to choosing the best food for our pets, there are a lot of factors to consider. What will they like? What can you afford? What’s the healthiest choice for them? One important consideration, which is often overlooked, is the ethics and sustainability of your pet’s diet. How does it affect our planet and all the creatures that call Earth home?

Here’s why vegan dog food is the way forward and the diet choice of the future:

Dog food production has a significant impact on the environment.

The way we feed our pets has a substantial influence on the environment. According to research conducted at the University of Edinburgh, the pet food sector is responsible for the yearly emission of 106 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Another study found that dogs’ diets are responsible for around a fourth of the environmental consequences of meat production.

The process of raising, slaughtering, and processing animals for their meat uses up an enormous amount of land and water resources. The meat industry has been linked to water pollution, air pollution, soil degradation, and species extinction. Veganism can help reduce your carbon footprint.

Vegan dog food uses less water.

You may have heard that water is a precious resource, but most people don’t realize just how much water it takes to produce a pound of meat. According to PETA, producing one pound of beef requires over 2,400 gallons of water, while growing one pound of wheat only requires 25 gallons! 

According to research, agriculture is responsible for 92% of freshwater use worldwide, and around one-third of that relates to animal products. By choosing to feed your dog a plant-based diet, you can help save water and reduce water waste!

Vegan dog food produces fewer greenhouse gasses.

The production of animal products is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Growing crops to feed livestock requires enormous amounts of energy, which in turn requires fossil fuels. According to FAO, a whopping 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the livestock sector!

By reducing your and your dog’s meat consumption and dependence on animal products and the meat industry, you can contribute less pollution into our atmosphere and reduce your environmental footprint.

Vegan dog food uses less land.

Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of species extinction, ocean dead zones, and habitat destruction today. In fact, the United Nations has been encouraging people to cut back on meat consumption because of how much land is required for livestock farming. 

Vast land areas are used for pastures and growing crops to feed livestock. In order to clear areas for grazing animals and their feed, forests are destroyed, leading to extinction and soil degradation. Plant-based food production uses less land than meat production, which means less deforestation and less destruction of our planet.

Vegan dog food reduces animal farming and keeps your pet healthy.

As if the environmental impact wasn’t enough, meat production also contributes to cruel animal farming. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, around 9 million animals are slaughtered for food annually. Vegan food is free from animal products and byproducts and doesn’t contribute to the suffering of animals raised for meat.

If you’re worried about your pet’s health, we’ve previously written about why a vegan diet may be the best choice for them. In short, it can help reduce allergy symptoms, skin problems, digestive issues, cancer risk, and more. 

Dogs being carnivores is a common misconception. While they evolved from wolves, their digestive systems have changed over generations of domestication. They are now fully capable of digesting starches and getting all the nutrients they need from plant-based sources, and as long as you ensure their food is complete and balanced, there is no need to include meat in your dog’s diet.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, there are many reasons why vegan dog food is the way forward. It’s better for the environment, reduces animal farming, is healthier and more nutritious than meat-based products, and can even help with allergies or digestive issues in your dog. By switching to vegan dog food, like the one offered here at PawCo, you’ll be helping reduce global warming while keeping your pet healthy and helping animals live happier lives without suffering in factory farming conditions.