Study Demonstrates Dogs Can Thrive on Plant-Based Diets: Documentary Now Streaming on Netflix Tudum

A groundbreaking study led by Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine professors Dr. Tonatiuh Melgarejo and Dr. Annika Linde has shown that dogs fed nutritionally sound vegan diets can maintain health outcomes on par with those fed meat-based diets. This study, which has captured the attention of both the scientific and pet care communities, is now the subject of a Netflix Tudum documentary titled "Can Dogs Live on a Plant-Based Diet?" directed by Academy Award-winning director Louie Psihoyos, and produced by the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS).

The Study: A Yearlong Investigation into Plant-Based Diets for Dogs
The study, published in April 2024 in PLOS One, followed 15 dogs over the course of one year, examining the health impacts of a commercial plant-based diet. The dogs underwent extensive physical exams, blood and urine analyses, and nutritional assessments, including over 3,000 parameters. The results were remarkable:

• Overweight or obese dogs lost weight, while other dogs maintained normal weight.

• There were no clinically significant changes in blood or urine, showing no adverse effects on overall health.

• Vitamin D levels were particularly noteworthy; seven dogs began the study with vitamin D insufficiency, but by the end of the study, all dogs had normal vitamin D levels, crucial for bone metabolism and immunity.

The Environmental Impacts
The documentary also explores the environmental benefits of shifting dogs (and even cats) to plant-based diets. The amount of meat used in U.S. pet food production is staggering — roughly 4.3 million tons, the same amount consumed by Italy. If dogs and cats in the U.S. were a country, they would be the fifth-largest meat-eating nation in the world. Additionally, 30% of the total carbon footprint of food production in the U.S. comes from pet food, largely due to the meat required to feed them.

A Call for Sustainable, Healthier Pet Food
"To make matters worse, we are seeing dogs with similar health problems as humans on diets heavy in animal products, like obesity and certain cancers," said Dr. Melgarejo in the documentary. “Dogs and cats are not going away, and we need to provide a sustainable, healthier food, not only for the dogs but for our planet."

The documentary, now available on Netflix Tudum, presents these surprising findings in a thought-provoking way, challenging long-held assumptions about dog nutrition while also highlighting the potential positive impact on the planet.

Stream the full documentary here: Can Dogs Live on a Plant-Based Diet? You Are What You Eat Explores theAnswer - Netflix Tudum.