Suitable for vegan diets
If you see on dog food that it is "suitable for vegan diets", this means that this food does not contain any animal products such as meat, fish, eggs or dairy products. Instead, it is based on plant-based ingredients. A vegan diet for dogs is often chosen for ethical reasons by owners who are vegan themselves and want to pass this lifestyle on to their pets.
It is important to know that although dogs are omnivores, their diet must contain certain nutrients to stay healthy. These include proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. In a vegan diet, these nutrients must be provided by plant sources and, if necessary, supplemental vitamins and minerals.
Some nutrients that are traditionally provided by animal products, such as certain amino acids (e.g. taurine) and vitamin B12, must be supplied by other means in a vegan diet. Vegan dog food is therefore often specially formulated to meet these requirements.