Plant-based diets offer a wide range of health benefits, which makes them a great fit for dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. If your pup suffers from chronic symptoms like itchy skin, digestive issues, joint pain, or eye discharge, it might be time to try a nutritionally-complete vegan diet. Below are 5 incredible health benefits that you can expect when switching your pooch to plant-based.

Allergen-friendly

According to experts at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, "The most commonly reported food allergies in dogs are chicken, beef, dairy, and egg…What surprises many pet owners is that grains are actually uncommon causes of food allergies – most pets are allergic to animal proteins." Food allergies can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs, including rashes, dry and itchy skin, loose stool, constipation, gas, vomiting, eye discharge, yeast infections, and fur loss. Exposure to allergens over time is a health concern, as it compromises the immune system. Plant-based diets are naturally allergen-friendly, meaning that your pup can finally get some relief from those chronic, uncomfortable symptoms.

Easily digestible

Vegan formulas commonly help dogs with a whole range of digestive issues, from loose stool to constipation to gas. Conversely, meat-based dog foods are often hard on the digestive system due to the acidifying and inflammatory effects of animal protein. Because plant-based ingredients are gentle on digestion and often free of irritating allergens, they can help clear up symptoms in even the most sensitive of pups.

Anti-inflammatory

Compared to animal-based foods, plant-based foods are naturally anti-inflammatory, which means they can help relieve joint pain and arthritis (making them an excellent fit for senior dogs). Dogs who switch to a vegan diet often experience improved mobility, which means stronger muscles, longer walks, and more endurance at the dog park.

Weight management

Made with lean and easily digestible ingredients, vegan dog food formulas are a great choice for dogs who have trouble maintaining a proper weight. Overweight dogs often shed excess pounds after making the switch, helping them stay lean and live longer, more active lives.

Improves energy levels

Switching your dog to a vegan diet can help them regain puppy-like energy due to the clean, readily-available nutrition (without the negative effects from meat-based and byproduct-heavy food). Plant-based pups often find boundless energy on their new diets, which contributes to a higher quality of life.

Is your pup ready to make the switch to a cleaner, healthier diet? At v-dog, we've seen thousands of dogs reap the health benefits of our 100% plant based products, receiving A+ checkups at the vet. Our kibble is nutritionally complete and balanced, meets AAFCO guidelines, and free of byproducts, fillers, and common allergens. Learn more about what we do at v-dog.com.