Tag: Sustainable Pet Food Foundation

Plant-Powered Pups: New Study Shows Dramatic Environmental Gains From Plant-Based Dog Food in the UK

A new life cycle assessment of 31 dry dog foods in the UK reveals that plant-based diets consistently outperform meat-based alternatives across every major environmental measure. Conducted by University of Nottingham veterinary researchers Rebecca Brociek and Professor David Gardner, and published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, the study underscores a major opportunity for pet owners and the pet food industry to shrink their ecological “pawprint.”

Key Results

  • Greenhouse gas emissions: Plant-based foods produced just 2.82 kg CO₂-eq per 1,000 kcal, compared to 31.47 kg for beef-based formulas – over ten times higher.
  • Land use: Plant-based diets required 2.73 m² per 1,000 kcal, versus 102.15 m² for beef-based products.
  • Water use: Plant-based options consumed 249 L of freshwater per 1,000 kcal, far less than beef (575 L) or lamb (684 L).
  • Nutrient and acidification pollution: Beef-based diets generated 14-16 times more acidifying and eutrophying emissions respectively, than plant-based equivalents.
  • Middle ground: Poultry-based and semi-synthetic veterinary formulas had lower impacts than red meat, but still much higher than plant-based foods.

Over a typical nine-year lifespan, feeding a 20 kg Labrador exclusively on plant-based dry food would require 8,964 m² of land and emit greenhouse gases equal to 2.8 London-New York return flights. The same dog fed on beef-based food would need 334,851 m² of land and emit the equivalent of 31.3 such flights.

Why It Matters
With pet ownership on the rise worldwide and demand for pet foods increasing, the environmental impact of animal-based ingredients can no longer be overlooked. The researchers conclude that increasing plant-based ingredients in pet diets provides a practical and scalable way to reduce land use, emissions, nutrient pollution, and water stress – without compromising caloric value.

They note, “feeding your dog plant-based will significantly improve a households’ environmentally sustainability”, and that, “… lower-impact pet food ingredients will be essential in reducing the [pet food] sector’s ecological paw print.”

While some suggest that using meat by-products like ‘meat meals’ is more sustainable, the study found these often ranked among the highest-impact ingredients, failing to bridge the gap.

Broader Context
This work supports earlier research. In 2023, veterinary professor Andrew Knight demonstrated that switching pet dogs worldwide to nutritionally sound vegan diets could save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.5 times the UK’s annual output, while providing enough food energy to feed 450 million people, equivalent to the EU population. By late 2025, at least 11 peer-reviewed studies had also shown positive health outcomes for dogs fed plant-based diets.

As Prof. Knight explained, “Higher proportions of plant-based ingredients, or nutritionally complete plant-based diets, can substantially reduce the ecological footprints of companion animals. As awareness grows, such diets may shift from niche to mainstream – aligning our care for pets with responsibility for the planet.”

Contact Information
Andrew Knight
Veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare
andrew.knight@murdoch.edu.au
+44 7577 899 61.

SOURCE: Sustainable Pet Food Foundation

Pet-Food Revolution: Two New Global Surveys Reveal Growing Guardian Openness to Sustainable Diets for Dogs and Cats

Two pioneering studies published in the journal Animals have explored in depth how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options. Led by Jenny L. Mace, Alexander Bauer, Andrew Knight and Billy Nicholles, the research sheds new light on the potential for alternative proteins and plant-based diets in the companion animal sector.

Study 1 – Dogs: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Dog Diets: A Survey of 2,639 Dog Guardians’
In the first study, the team surveyed 2,639 dog guardians worldwide. Around 84% of respondents were currently feeding their dogs either conventional or raw meat-based diets. However, a substantial 43% of this group reported they would nevertheless consider at least one type of more sustainable dog food (such as vegan, vegetarian or cultivated-meat formulations).

Among the alternative options, the most acceptable was cultivated meat-based dog food (chosen by 24% of these respondents), compared to vegetarian (17%) and vegan (13%) dog diets. And when asked what characteristics would be needed for these alternatives to be chosen, the top choices were nutritional soundness (chosen by 85%) followed by good pet health (83%).

Study 2 – Cats: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Cat Diets: A Survey of 1,380 Cat Guardians’
The companion study gathered responses from 1,380 cat guardians. In total 89% of these guardians fed their cats conventional or raw meat-based diets. However, just over half – 51% – of this group considered at least one of the more sustainable options to be acceptable.

The most popular alternatives were those based on cultivated meat (chosen by 33% of this group) followed by vegan diets (18%). Similarly to dogs, the most important characteristics alternative diets would need to offer be chosen were good pet health outcomes (chosen by 83%) and nutritional soundness (80%).

Differences among consumers
Both studies found that guardians who themselves reduce or avoid meat were significantly more open to alternative diets for their pets, as were those with higher educational qualifications. Age and regional differences were also apparent, with older consumers, and those from the UK, often less open to alternatives than those in other European nations, North America or Oceania, although differences were often not significant.

What This Means
These twin studies come at a time when the environmental and ethical footprint of conventional pet food production is growing in public consciousness. As noted by study co-author and veterinary professor Andrew Knight: “Recent studies have demonstrated that our dogs and cats collectively consume a substantial proportion of all farmed animals. Pet diets such as those based on plant-based ingredients or cultivated meat could transform the pet food system, lowering adverse impacts for farmed animals and the environment.”

With rapidly increasing populations already numbering hundreds of millions of dogs and cats globally, the shift of even a modest percentage of these pets to lower-impact diets could bring significant benefits.

As co-author Billy Nicholles summarised: “These findings are of value to the rapidly growing pet food alternatives industry, enabling pet food companies to accelerate their growth and acquire new customers through evidence-based, targeted outreach.”

Implications for Industry and Veterinary Practice
For pet food companies, the message is clear: launching sustainable diet lines is not merely a matter of production innovation, but also of trust-building. Clear information about nutritional soundness and health outcomes feature heavily in guardian willingness to adopt new products.

For veterinary practitioners and animal welfare organisations, these findings underscore the importance of informed communication. If guardians are open to alternatives but uncertain about their pet’s health outcomes, then evidence-based guidance becomes a key enabling factor.

Further information
Andrew Knight
Veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare
Andrew.Knight@murdoch.edu.au

SOURCE: Sustainable Pet Food Foundation

Climate Goals Threatened by Industrialised Animal Farming, Reveals Key International Study

A new study in Animals highlights that industrialized animal farming is one of the most powerful – yet persistently neglected – forces driving the climate and biodiversity crises. The analysis, “The Missing Target: Why Industrialized Animal Farming Must Be at the Core of the Climate Agenda,” synthesizes evidence from 47 international studies and concludes that reducing livestock production and embracing plant-based food systems is essential for meeting global climate goals.

Major Insights

  • Across global research, livestock farming contributes an estimated 12-20% of all greenhouse gas emissions annually, with the most comprehensive studies yielding the highest figures.
  • The most modern accounting methods, which include the impacts of deforestation, bottom trawling and cooling effects from certain atmospheric pollutants, reveal that 52% of present-day global warming is attributable to animal agriculture.
  • Animal agriculture occupies over 80% of agricultural land, while providing only 18% of calories and 37% of protein consumed worldwide, making it difficult to meet the needs of a fast-growing future population.
  • Among other food-originating environmental impacts, the sector also creates 50% of eutrophication and 32% of soil acidification.
  • Rapidly developing regions including emerging economies are projected to experience the sharpest growth in livestock emissions unless production trends shift.
  • Biodiversity studies reveal that meat-heavy diets can create three to four times greater biodiversity losses compared to predominantly plant-based diets.

Why a Plant-Based Shift Matters
The analysis makes a compelling environmental case for dietary change. Transitioning toward plant-forward eating patterns would drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pressure on forests and freshwater systems, and curb nutrient pollution from feed crops and manure. Such a shift would not only mitigate climate impacts but also help restore ecosystems and safeguard wildlife.

Implications for Policymakers
The authors urge that global climate frameworks-such as climate summits and national plans under the Paris Agreement-must integrate clear targets for reducing animal-product production and consumption. Without tackling this sector, the chances of limiting global warming to well below 2°C (let alone 1.5°C) are significantly compromised.

To be effective and fair, the analysis stresses, solutions must also consider regional realities. In developing economies, dietary transitions should align with food security, cultural preferences, and equitable livelihoods for farmers.

A Turning Point for Food and Climate
“The time is long overdue for greater attention on animal agriculture at key climate and environmental policy-making events such as COP30” stated lead author Jenny Mace. “It would be incredibly difficult to achieve climate and other sustainability targets without a significant downsizing of animal agriculture.”

Stated co-author veterinary Professor Andrew Knight, “Industrial livestock farming represents a critical blind spot in global climate policy. However, placing food system reform – particularly the reduction of animal-based products – at the centre of climate action could unlock enormous benefits for both people and the planet.”

Co-author Fernanda Vieira of Sinergia Animal commented that, “Industrial-scale farms are a profound driver of biodiversity loss, deforestation, climate change, and the emergence of zoonotic diseases. If we fail to confront these interconnected issues, the prospect of achieving meaningful progress toward our climate, health, and sustainability goals will remain out of reach.”

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Jenny Mace
Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, University of St Andrews, UK
jm609@st-andrews.ac.uk

Prof. Andrew Knight
School of Environment and Science, Griffth University, Australia
andrewknightvet@gmail.com

SOURCE: Sustainable Pet Food Foundation