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A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham has revealed that plant-based diets for dogs are significantly more sustainable than those that include meat. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, analyzed the life cycle of 31 types of dry dog food, concluding that plant-based alternatives outperform meat-based diets in several key environmental aspects.
The findings are compelling. Plant-based foods produce only 2.82 kg of CO₂ equivalent per 1000 kcal, compared to the 31.47 kg generated by diets containing beef, resulting in more than ten times the emissions. The comparison extends to land use, where plant-based diets require 2.73 m² per 1000 kcal, whereas beef products need 102.15 m². Regarding water consumption, the needs are also notably different; 249 liters of freshwater are required for each 1000 kcal of plant-based food, versus 575 liters for beef and 684 liters for lamb.
Calculations for a 20 kg Labrador fed exclusively a plant-based diet over an average lifespan of nine years indicate that 8,964 m² of land would be needed, equivalent to the emissions of 2.8 flights between London and New York. In contrast, if the same dog were fed beef, it would require 334,851 m² of land, generating emissions equivalent to 31.3 flights.
This study emphasizes the importance of assessing the environmental impact of pet feeding, considering the global increase in pet ownership. The researchers argue that increasing the proportion of plant ingredients in pet diets can be a viable method to reduce the ecological footprint, nutrient pollution, and water stress while maintaining adequate nutritional value.
Although some argue that animal by-products, such as meat meals, are a more sustainable option, the study contradicts this idea by demonstrating that such ingredients often have a high environmental impact and do not contribute to a lasting solution.
The results of this research join previous studies showing that reformulating dog diets toward balanced vegan options could lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As Professor Andrew Knight highlights, increasing the proportion of plant ingredients could be key to reconciling pet care with environmental responsibility.
via: MiMub in Spanish
