Vegan pet diets could slash emissions and feed millions, new study finds

Feeding dogs and cats may seem like a minor act in global environmental terms, but a new review has found that conventional meat-based pet diets are quietly contributing to climate change on a significant scale – and switching to plant-based alternatives could offer an effective fix.

The study, The environmental sustainability of meat-based versus vegan pet food, published this week and led by researcher Billy Nicholles from Bryant Research, reviewed 21 existing analyses of pet food sustainability and found that protein source was the single largest factor driving the environmental impact of pet diets. Meat-heavy formulations were closely linked to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and overall resource intensity, largely because of their reliance on livestock production.

“Switching pets to nutritionally sound vegan diets significantly mitigates our dogs and cats’ environmental 'paw prints,’” Nicholles said. “It’s a huge opportunity to reduce the environmental burden of our food system.”

The environmental implications of pet ownership are becoming more pronounced as the global pet population approaches one billion. In the USA alone, it is estimated that dog and cat diets account for 25-30% of the environmental footprint of livestock farming. In one analysis cited in the study, the carbon footprint of feeding a single medium-sized dog in Japan exceeded that of the average Japanese person’s entire diet.

Co-author Professor Andrew Knight, a veterinary expert, emphasized that modern vegan pet foods are not only viable but potentially beneficial for animal health. “Modern vegan pet foods are not only safe, but often healthier,” Knight said. “And they’re vastly more sustainable.”

According to the study’s findings, if all pet dogs globally were switched to a nutritionally complete vegan diet, the food energy savings could feed an estimated 450 million people. The associated greenhouse gas reduction would exceed the total annual emissions of the United Kingdom.

The researchers acknowledged that the idea of vegan pet food can be controversial, but pointed out that nutritionally adequate formulations – which are already on the market – meet all the dietary needs of dogs and some cats. The report did not advocate for DIY diets but highlighted commercially available options that comply with nutritional standards.

The study also flagged emerging technologies such as cultivated meat and precision fermentation as promising developments for the pet food industry. These alternatives offer the taste and nutritional profile of animal products while sidestepping the environmental costs associated with traditional livestock farming.

“Sustainable pet food isn’t just a niche trend,” Nicholles added. “It’s a climate solution hiding in plain sight.”

With consumer awareness rising and innovation advancing, the authors urged pet food brands, policymakers, and the general public to re-examine what goes into pet bowls. Their recommendation is clear: adopting lower-impact diets for pets could be a powerful step in addressing the environmental challenges of our time.