Plant-based pet diets gain staying power, with caveats for clinics

Plant-based pet diets are moving from niche to durable subcategory status, at least on the dog side, as brands continue to invest in new products, retail distribution, and sustainability messaging. Pet Age’s latest look at the segment highlights ongoing brand confidence in plant-based formulations, while broader market coverage shows companies such as Open Farm, PawCo, Wild Earth, Bramble, and Petaluma continuing to position plant-based foods or treats around environmental impact, ingredient innovation, and pet parent demand. At the same time, the regulatory and clinical baseline hasn’t changed: in the U.S., any dog or cat food marketed as “complete and balanced” must meet AAFCO nutritional standards or pass feeding trials, and FDA says pet parents and clinicians should look for that nutritional adequacy statement on-label. (petage.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the real question isn’t whether a food is plant-based, but whether it is nutritionally adequate, appropriately formulated for the species and life stage, and supported by sound manufacturer quality practices. WSAVA’s nutrition guidance emphasizes evaluating the company behind the diet, not just the ingredient panel, and available expert commentary continues to draw a sharp distinction between dogs, which may do well on properly formulated commercial plant-based diets, and cats, for whom plant-based feeding remains more challenging because of their obligate carnivore biology. (wsava.org)

What to watch: Expect continued product launches and marketing around sustainability, but also closer scrutiny from veterinarians over feeding-trial data, formulation expertise, digestibility, and long-term outcomes, especially if brands push beyond adult dog maintenance diets. (aafco.org)