Plant-Based Dog Food Found to Have Lower Environmental Impact
A collaborative study by the University of Warwick in Britain and the University of Bielefeld in Germany has revealed that plant-based dry dog foods in the UK have a lower environmental impact than their meat-based counterparts. The research, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, focused on adult dog food formulations, which dominate the UK market.
The study found significant differences in land use between plant-based and meat-based diets. Beef-based formulations required an estimated 102.15 square meters of land per 1,000 kilocalories, compared to just 2.73 square meters for plant-based alternatives. This disparity is substantial, considering a 20-kilogram Labrador Retriever fed exclusively on plant-based food for nine years would need approximately 8,964 square meters of land, compared to a staggering 334,851 square meters for beef-based diets.
Greenhouse gas emissions also favoured plant-based foods. Beef-based foods generated 31.47 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per 1,000 kilocalories, while plant-based options produced only 2.82 kilograms. Other environmental metrics, including acidifying and eutrophying emissions, and freshwater withdrawal, also showed lower impacts with plant-based diets. The study examined 31 dry dog foods across five categories, with plant-based options consistently requiring fewer resources and producing lower emissions.
The study's findings highlight the environmental benefits of plant-based dry dog foods. While the study did not assess nutritional adequacy, it underscores the potential role of pet owners in reducing their environmental footprint by opting for plant-based pet food. Further research is needed to ensure the nutritional suitability of these options.
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