Plant-Powered Paws: Pioneering Ethical Nutrition for Healthier, Happier Dogs

What inspired you to champion plant-powered diets for dogs, and how did you navigate skepticism within the veterinary and pet care communities?

Arielle Griffiths: As a vet, I transitioned myself to a vegan diet 51/2 years ago as I was very affected by the obesity epidemic that we currently experience where pet parents are overfeeding their dogs and cats out of love. I resolved to do something about it and as we are taught nothing about nutrition at vet school, I did as many nutrition courses as possible. The more I researched, I realised that adding more plants to the diet of a dog resulted in a healthier outcome. My son was vegan then, so inspired by him, I transitioned both myself and our family dog and went vegan on the same day.

The biggest challenge I have faced is the veterinary community. There is so much bias as vets know nothing about true nutrition. We are just taught to treat with drugs. The pet food industry is a multi-billion pound corporation with a few enormous companies dominating the pet food industry and even owning thousands of veterinary practices around the world. None of these large corporates want to change to become more sustainable and stop using fish and animal products in their pet foods, so convincing vets is extremely difficult as so much money to be made in the meat-based pet food space.

There is a large market for raw feeding in the UK which is proving even more difficult to convince pet carers of the dangers of their choice.

What are the primary nutritional challenges of a plant-based diet for dogs, and how do you ensure it meets their physiological needs without compromise?

Arielle Griffiths: It is possible to replace all animal proteins with plant-based options so not a challenge. The cost is slightly more as extra amino acids have to be added such as Taurine, L-carnitine, and methionine to ensure that all amino acids are present. The meat-based industry is heavily subsidised by governments to cheaper to buy animal byproducts than good quality plant ingredients, so companies looking for funding to start up a vegan dog food company will find it harder as less profit to be made – that is the biggest challenge!!

Critics often question the sustainability of a vegan diet for canines. Could you share some of the key studies or evidence supporting your approach?

Arielle Griffiths: No other dog food has received as much recent scientific research as vegan pet food has. Prof Andrew Knight in the UK and Dr Sarah Dodd in Canada have published studies looking at thousands of dogs and cats and showing that vegan diets benefit the health of animals and can increase longevity by up to 18 months! There have been 11 published studies to date showing these results. All can be found on Prof Knight’s website sustainable pet foods.

Do you believe pet parents have an ethical responsibility to align their pets' diets with their values, and how do you balance ethics with science in your advocacy?

Arielle Griffiths: Ethics and science run side by side with vegan pet food as science has shown that dogs and cats can be healthier on these diets as long as they are balanced, and ethically when choosing these foods for ourselves, we do not want to support a cruel animal agriculture industry, and by the same token, we also do not want to have our animals that live in our homes eating and supporting these industries either. There is such cognitive dissonance associated with caring so much for one animal and feeding another animal to them. Feeding a vegan diet satisfies this dilemma completely.

Your website, Just Be Kind, is a strong statement. How does this philosophy shape your personal and professional life, beyond advocating for plant-powered pet nutrition?

Arielle Griffiths: It is my passion and way of life and I am convinced that our little Ruff who has been on a vegan diet for 51/2 years of his life, has saved more animals in that time than I have saved in the last 31 years as a vet! To make the personal choice of feeding not only myself a kinder and ethical diet but also to Ruff every day, is the most powerful way that each one of us can make a difference as vegans. Environmentally, ethically, and for health benefits, it cannot be beaten!

What has been the most challenging moment in your journey as an advocate for vegan diets for canines, and how did it transform your approach?

Arielle Griffiths: The financial aspect has been the most challenging. I have chosen not to take on any financial investment as then it becomes a race to pay back investors hungry for their share…..

Believing in myself that this is possible has meant that the ‘universe’ has stepped in to help me with every challenge. I have had a few unique individuals step in wanting to help me with my business for no financial reward as they believe so strongly in what I do. This has meant that I have been able to grow to such a point where every penny has been invested back into the Just Be Kind business to develop new foods and products.

It was a dream come true to develop the world’s first vegan salmon oil for dogs (and one coming out for cats next month) with the profits from sales this year. 500 bottles sold within the first 5 weeks in the UK, and the health effects on dogs have been incredible for dogs with joint and skin issues, it has been a complete game changer.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your decision to pursue this path, and how do you stay motivated amidst debates and challenges?

Arielle Griffiths: My son was my biggest influence to transition initially and now my biggest driving force is the pet parents sending me success stories of their dogs whose health transforms – this drives and inspires me beyond all measure and really blows me away time after time with these benefits. This is where my biggest sadness comes in that vets do not want to listen!!

Looking ahead, what changes do you envision in the pet nutrition industry, particularly regarding sustainable and ethical feeding practices?

Arielle Griffiths: I see this market as growing but not by corporations who want nothing to do with it. Individual companies looking to keep growing not for a big sell out will be the ones that make the biggest difference.

How do you perceive the potential for vegan diets for dogs in India, and what unique opportunities and challenges do you foresee in introducing this concept to Indian pet parents?  

Arielle Griffiths: India has a strong cultural and religious tradition of vegetarianism, alongside a rapidly growing pet care market. I see the market in India growing the fastest as it has the largest population of vegetarian pets so a very very exciting future for it!!

About: Arielle Griffiths - BVSc MRCVS Plant Powered Vet

Arielle Griffiths, a UK-based veterinarian, is a leading advocate for plant-based diets for pets. Through her initiative, "Just Be Kind Dog Food", she collaborates with Professor Andrew Knight to promote safe and nutritious vegan options for dogs, highlighting their health benefits. Passionate about sustainability, Griffiths actively shares insights on social media, offering advice on vegan pet care. Her work champions environmentally conscious pet food choices, transforming pet health and supporting eco-friendly practices.