They updated their fact sheet on vegan/vegetarian pet food, to reflect the body of new scientific evidence in this field with a well drafted PDF promoting the benefits of vegan/vegetarian pet food diets.
Statements in the factsheet included: “Appropriately designed vegetarian or vegan diets, formulated and made with the input of qualified professionals, that meet the nutritional and physiological requirements of the species, are a valid part of the product portfolio for today’s pet food industry.”
They go on to describe non-animal sources of key nutrients including Taurine (synthetic) and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (marine algae), etc. This represents a very positive change for the UK pet food industry…..HOWEVER…
UK Pet Foods removed the PDF and the page that originally linked to anything to do with Vegan/Vegetarian diets.
UK Pet Food are funded by UK pet manufacturers. There are major manufacturers not yet producing sustainable plant-based diets who probably fear loss of market share as this sector of the pet food market does well.
It is so important that the nutritional advice of the UK Pet Food association, is not compromised by commercial interests of some of its more influential members.
They contacted us in January 2023 with a link to say that they had revised the Factsheet and added it back into the website. Please note that Vegan/Vegetarian cannot be seen on the new website unless the words are entered in the search bars. Raw pet foods are given preference and appear on the homepage of UK Pet Foods with certification when there have been NO published studies proving that feeding raw pet food is safe.
The new factsheet omits all important details such as the use of marine Algae oil instead of fish oil and the use of arachidonic acid from fungus to ensure a truly novel and sustainable pet food diet. This omission in the new factsheet is very concerning that yet again the UK Pet Foods is now being influenced by members not producing sustainable pet foods without the valuable addition of sustainable Omega 3 Algae oil.
Exposing Butternut Box Dog Food
Did Butternut Box introduce a plant-based fresh dog food option in 2022 simply to gain B-Corp Certification?
Fermented Protein Pet Food – the Future?
Is precision fermentation our future way to feed not only our pets, but ourselves too? Yes it most certainly is!
Cultivated Chicken Dog Food in Pets At Home!
Cell-based meat and vegan ingredients represent the future of pet food. These are the only ingredients that are good for pets, ‘food’ animals and the planet.
Using microbial protein for the very first time in dog treats!
This first-of-its-kind protein is derived from bacteria that have been consumed by humans for centuries in foods such as kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut
BVA says it is possible to feed dogs plant-based
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has ended its opposition to (nutritionally-sound) vegan diets for dogs
Who is MARS Petcare?
How did they go from producing Snickers, Mars, Bounty bars, Pedigree, Royal Canin and Whiskas to be the fourth largest privately held company in the US?
Plant-based vs Insect-based dog food
Insect Protein-Based Diets as Potential Risk of Allergy in Dogs, and Much Higher Cost
The Great Protein Debate – Beef or Beans?
Dr Sue Paterson, RCVS President and Senior Vice President of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatologists interviews Dr Arielle Griffiths about Sustainable Pet Foods
University of Liverpool Vegan Dog Food Study
Prof Alex German holds the position of Royal Canin Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool
The longest, most comprehensive peer-reviewed study so far!
Domestic dogs maintain positive clinical, nutritional, and haematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year. Peer reviewed and published in PLOS ONE
Reasons Why Dog Owners Stop Feeding Raw Meat-Based Diets
The latest paper from April 2024 makes an astounding 85 papers against the use of raw feeding in our dogs
UK’s first meat cultivated cat food to launch!
The world’s first cans of cat food made with cultivated chicken to be sold in 2024 at Pets At Home!
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