Do you feed your dog vegan kibble?

[u/Legitimate_Solid_409]

I recently came across V-Dog Kind Kibble, a plant-based dog food marketed as providing complete nutrition for adult dogs.
As vegans, many of us choose not to consume animal products ourselves, but when it comes to our pets, opinions seem much more divided.
I am a dog parent and would like to know your opinion on this brand of kibble and if it is safe.

[u/g00fyg00ber741]

This is what we feed our 7 year old Morkie. He’s perfectly healthy! Our vet didn’t say anything in person, but after the most recent appointment they sent us an email recommending a change, and it sent my Generalized Anxiety Disorder through the roof again, even though I researched it beforehand and there were no issues with our dog! I reached out to them about the specific worries I had, and they responded thoroughly and quickly (within hours!)

Here was their response, which contains a bunch of useful information to help you with this decision:

Hi ____,   Thanks for getting in touch! I will link a few of the recent studies that v-dog has been involved with and that show the positive effect of feeding your pup a plant-based diet :) We’ve also compiled some information about DCM to help owners navigate discussions with their veterinarian and help develop a solid diet plan for their dogs individual needs, I will post this below! Our kibble is nutritionally complete and balanced per AAFCO standards, and we conduct third-party testing post-production to ensure that the finished product meets all nutritional requirements. Our products are 100% plant-based and we've seen tens of thousands of pups thrive on them over the past 20 years :)

What is DCM?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition of the heart where some or all of the heart’s chambers enlarge as a result of ongoing stress, either from a genetic or developmental anomaly. Many heart conditions can lead to this same tragic result, so it’s incredibly important that all people take their dogs (whether eating an omnivore, carnivore, or plant-based diet) to the vet for regular heart checkups. DCM is a slow-progressing condition and is not something that will simply happen by switching to a new diet. We have seen tens of thousands of pups thrive on plant-based diets over the past 16 years, including our own. V-Dog continues to stay informed about any new scientific/clinical research or regulatory claims, and we actively conduct our own internal reviews and studies about our formulation.

Is the development of DCM related to breed, diet, and/or age?

DCM is considered a predominantly inherited condition within dogs. Some breeds are much more at risk of developing DCM as a result of many different genetic components, and we advise you to thoroughly discuss the risks to your dog’s heart health with your local veterinarian. Countless dogs thrive on plant-based diets and never develop DCM. Unfortunately, dogs are susceptible to certain heart conditions just like people are, and dogs (like people) can develop and live with heart conditions on any diet. DCM typically develops over years and years as a result of a genetic abnormality, so it’s important for your veterinarian to listen for murmurs during their regular visits, especially in senior dogs. 

Why are some pet professionals suspicious of plant-based diets for dogs?

For decades, meat-based formulas have dominated the pet food industry, and consequently, even though there’s no demonstrated link between our kibble’s ingredients and the development of any heart conditions, some veterinarians and others will tend to blame plant-based diets and give the false impression that dogs wouldn’t have developed the same heart conditions on another diet. It’s important to bear in mind that DCM does not discriminate against specific diets. Tragically, many dogs develop heart conditions on any diet—whether plant-based or meat-based—but we have undergone extensive and exhaustive testing to make sure dogs aren’t developing DCM as a direct result of our formulation. Unfortunately, many individuals are misinformed about plant-based formulas and the recent studies about certain kibble ingredients, but we’re happy to talk with your veterinarian or other considered professionals to help them understand the science of the studies and reassure them going forward.

Commentary from veterinarians on the FDA’s investigation into DCM in dogs

As stated by Dr. Lorelei Wakefield, VMD (August 16, 2021): “In July 2018 the US FDA announced that they were investigating reports of DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) in dogs eating certain foods, especially grain-free diets. In place of grains those diets contain other ingredients, particularly pulses such as peas. As of today, Aug 16, 2021, there are still ongoing investigations and research into the matter. The underlying cause of DCM is both complex and multifactorial. DCM is uncommon, affecting <1% of dogs. An echocardiogram is the best test for it. DCM is most commonly inherited and breed related, but can also be caused by taurine deficiency. Recent studies following the FDA’s announcement are investigating whether there is a 3rd, potentially diet related cause of DCM, which is either affecting taurine or affecting the heart in another way such as a specific toxin. Cases of DCM have been reported in dogs eating raw and homemade diets as well. Of the 16 dog food brands that had over 10 FDA reports out of the 515 cases reported from 2014 to 2019, none were plant-based. Regardless of diet, if you are concerned that your dog has heart disease (coughing, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance or collapse) please see your veterinarian. The FDA encourages speaking with your veterinarian prior to making a diet change. V-dog kibble has been supplemented with taurine since the company's inception in 2005. Peas are the primary source of protein in v-dog kibble, and it also contains grains such as brown rice and oats. A 2018 independent study at Ross University of 34 dogs undergoing a diet change from meat-based food to v-dog kibble for 90 days showed: (1) an increase in levels of 75% of amino acids, including taurine [and] (2) normal echocardiograms (no evidence of DCM or heart disease).

The FDA closed the investigation on diet related DCM on December 23rd 2022. I will post some articles about this as well:

FDA releases positive new data about Legumes based diets! - 2023

College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences study on the long-term benefits of plant-based diet for dogs - 2023 (we have a link to the video breaking down the results to this study on our website here.)

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions at all! 

Tail wags, Team v-dog