It became easier for vegan dog owners to provide their pets with meat-free meals this week with the launch of Wild Earth dog food products at Petco stores.
According to VegNews, the Wild Earth products are Petco’s first “fully vegan line of dog food and treats,” and “the first fully vegan line of dog food sold at any major pet food retailer in the country.”
With more than 1,500 stores in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, Petco is a go-to for many pet parents. VegNews reported that the vegan options are available at Petco’s flagship stores in Los Angeles and New York, as well as its website.
“The company partnered with vegan dog food company Wild Earth to offer its Maintenance and Performance formulas in flavors such as Veggie Chick’n Kabob, Classic Roast, and Golden Rotisserie; along with superfood treats in Peanut Butter, Banana & Cinnamon, and Strawberry & Beet flavors,” said the outlet.
Back in 2020, Wild Earth gained notoriety after its owners closed a deal with Mark Cuban on the “Shark Tank” TV show. Wild Earth’s website explained that, instead of meat-based formulas, it uses dried yeast as the main protein source in its products.
“Dried yeast contains 49% protein by weight compared to 24% in beef. It’s also incredibly sustainable as yeast can grow in just three days, and requires far fewer resources to produce than any animal-based protein,” said the company. “Not only does it contain all 10 essential amino acids dogs need, but it is high in beta-glucans and B vitamins, which are important for digestive health, and play a vital role in maintaining good health and well-being.”
In addition to dried yeast, Wild Earth products also contain complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and other ingredients such as spinach, blueberries and more. Last October, the company announced in a press release that it had developed “a cell-based meat broth topper for dogs,” expected to be available for consumers this year.
“The cell-based chicken broth, created in the Wild Earth labs in Berkeley, California using the company’s proprietary technology, will be the first cell-based meat product to be introduced in the pet food industry,” it said.
While the company touts the health benefits of plant-based food for dogs, some experts are wary of vegan diets for canines.
“Dogs are omnivores, which means that they eat both meat and plant products,” said the British Veterinary Association, for example. “While it is theoretically possible, the British Veterinary Association does not recommend giving a dog a vegetarian or a vegan diet as it is much easier to get the balance of essential nutrients wrong than to get it right.”
There are also some risks associated with vegan diets for dogs, including a lack of necessary protein, a lack of amino acids, and a vitamin or mineral deficiency, according to the American Kennel Club. Dogs also tend to prefer meat, the AKC said. However, it noted that a vegan diet would be possible with care taken to make sure the dog got correct nutrients.
“To offset these risks, you must add supplements to your dog’s vegan or vegetarian diet,” it said. “There are several supplements on the market but it is critically important to select one that provides taurine, L-carnatine and vitamin B-12.”
A study published by researchers from the University of Illinois this year found that two human-grade lightly-cooked vegan diets were safe for dogs.
“One thing to remember is that animals don’t have ingredient requirements, they have nutrient requirements,” explained study co-author Kelly Swanson, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at U of I. “As long as they’re consuming the essential nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios, dogs can be vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eaters.”
Since some dogs are sensitive to yeast and it is a main ingredient in many Wild Earth products, pet owners may want to consult their veterinarian before switching up their pet’s diet. There are also other vegan options, including V-Dog, Halo, V-Planet, and Gather.
“It’s been a long road for so many of us to get the entire industry to see that vegan dog food can be just as healthy (if not healthier) for dogs,” Wild Earth Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Bethencourt of this week’s product launch with Petco.
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