Switching your dog or cat from a meat-based diet to a complete and balanced plant-based diet may seem like a big change, but for most pets, it's a straightforward process.
With a gradual transition over about two weeks, the vast majority of dogs and cats adapt very well. Some pets with sensitive stomachs or picky appetites may simply need a little extra time and patience.
Follow these three simple steps to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Why Consider a Plant-Based Diet?
A nutritionally complete plant-based diet can offer many benefits for both dogs and cats, including:
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- A healthier, shinier coat
- Fresher breath
- Better weight management
- Reduced environmental impact
- Helping spare the lives of chickens, pigs, cows, and other farm animals
Step #1: Learn Before You Switch
Understanding how plant-based nutrition works can help you feel more confident about making the change.
If you're new to vegan pet food, start with these beginner-friendly guides:
Research also continues to support well-formulated plant-based diets. This recent study suggests that dogs and cats can remain healthy on nutritionally complete vegan diets when appropriately formulated and monitored.
Not sure whether plant-based food is right for your pet?
Take our free online assessment to determine whether your dog or cat is a good candidate. At the end, you can also request a FREE sample pack featuring three different flavours.
Take the Online Assessment
Step #2: Transition Gradually
A slow transition gives your pet's digestive system time to adapt and greatly reduces the chance of stomach upset.
Use this simple schedule over approximately a week:
Adding a little warm water to dry food can improve aroma and make the kibble easier to eat. Always ensure fresh drinking water is available.
Supporting Digestion
Although not essential, digestive enzymes can help some pets adjust more comfortably—particularly those with sensitive stomachs.
Digestive enzymes may help improve nutrient absorption while supporting healthy digestion throughout the transition.
Read about the benefits of enzymes here.
Tips for Picky Eaters
Some pets need a little encouragement when trying a new food.
If your dog or cat is hesitant, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast per cup of food during the first few days.
Nutritional yeast has a naturally savoury flavour that many pets enjoy. Gradually reduce the amount over the next two weeks as your pet becomes accustomed to the new food.
Step #3: Monitor Urinary Health
Because plant-based diets may produce more alkaline urine, it's a good idea to monitor your pet's urinary pH.
We recommend:
- Measuring urine pH before starting the transition
- Testing again about one month after switching
- Continuing to check every 2–3 months
Regular monitoring helps ensure your pet stays within a healthy urinary pH range.
For additional urinary support, many pet parents also choose to use Cranimals Gold cranberry supplement.
- To monitor the pH of urine, use CheckUp kit for Cats
- Add Cranimals Gold cranberry powder for optimal urinary health
Want to Try Before You Commit?
Our vegan sample packs make transitioning easy.
Each sample includes:
- Complete and balanced vegan food
- Nutritional yeast to enhance flavour
- Digestive enzymes to support the transition
- Cranimals Gold for urinary health support
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We're Here to Help
Have questions about transitioning your pet?
Our team is always happy to help. Contact us at support@vecado.ca or start a chat with us anytime.
1 comment
How about a diabetic dog? Will it work? I’m afraid to take him off his insulin. He gets 5.5 every twelve hours.