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Vegan diets for dogs and cats: what the 2026 review says

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Quick answer: a review of 31 studies published in May 2026 in the journal Animals concludes that complete vegan and vegetarian diets for dogs and cats are not usually less digestible than conventional meat-based diets. But digestibility is only one part of nutrition: almost all the studies involved adult dogs, there are very few on cats, and key nutrients such as taurine were not analysed. If you are considering the switch, do it with your vet.

Plant-based diets for pets are one of the most debated trends. This summer, coverage in Spain of a scientific review on their digestibility put the topic back in the spotlight. Here is what it actually says, and what it does not.

What the review looked at

Veterinarian Andrew Knight (Murdoch University, Australia, and other institutions) gathered 31 studies published since 2000: 22 on dogs, 2 on cats and 7 on both species. They examined complete vegan or vegetarian diets and plant protein ingredients such as wheat gluten, rice protein, soya, peas, lentils, chickpeas, potato protein, quinoa and microbial fermentation proteins.

  • In the five studies that measured the total tract digestibility of plant-based diets, values exceeded 80% for dry matter and crude protein, and 89% for fat.
  • In an in-home study with dogs, a vegan diet and a chicken-based diet showed similar digestibility.
  • In a study of 296 cats, true protein digestibility rose by 5.5% when half the protein came from plants.

The limitations worth knowing

The author himself acknowledges several limitations: it is a narrative rather than a systematic review; most studies were carried out in the laboratory on healthy adults, with no puppies, kittens, older animals or pets with digestive problems; and the digestibility of micronutrients such as some B vitamins, taurine or choline was not assessed. In addition, one of his affiliations is the Sustainable Pet Food Foundation, although he declares no conflicts of interest and no external funding.

Another recent study helps complete the picture: the University of Santiago de Compostela review published in October 2026 found that calcium and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio were often off target in home-made, raw and some plant-based diets. In other words, a well-digested diet is not necessarily a balanced one.

What it means for you

  • What matters most is that the diet is complete and suited to the species and life stage, with or without meat.
  • The cat is an obligate carnivore with specific needs, and the evidence in cats is still very limited: do not make changes without veterinary supervision.
  • Do not improvise home-made plant-based meals: the risk of deficiencies is high.
  • If you change food, do it gradually and keep an eye on weight, stools and coat condition.

See more dog food, dry cat food and wet dog food.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dog be vegan?

Dogs make good use of many plant ingredients, and the review shows good digestibility for complete diets. Even so, only do it with a food formulated as complete and with veterinary follow-up.

What about a cat?

The evidence in cats is very limited (only 2 cat-specific studies in this review). As obligate carnivores, any meat-free diet requires close veterinary supervision.

Does digestible mean balanced?

No. Digestibility shows how much of the food is absorbed, not whether it provides every nutrient in the right amount.

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