Client Experiences: What do the connoisseurs say?
Are you interested in vegan food for your dog or cat and still exploring your options? Then you might enjoy reading the experiences below from dogs and cats on a vegan diet. If you’re already feeding your pet a vegan diet, it can still be fun to read stories from others—and who knows, you might even find some great (snack) tips!
Would you like to share your vegan pet’s experience? Fill out this form or email us at info@vegavriend.nl. Thank you in advance!
Benji is a medical miracle
Age: 4 years
Favorite snack: VegeYeast
Vegan since: 2020
“I have been vegan for years, and I no longer wanted to contribute to animal suffering through my pets. As a researcher myself, I first conducted thorough research. It turned out that it is absolutely possible for cats to thrive on a vegan diet. Our other cat(s) had already been eating vegan food for years and were doing great!
Benji, however, is a special case. After his castration, he didn’t recover as expected. The symptoms were clear: HCM, a progressive heart disease. The prognosis was *very severe*, and with a lot of luck, he was given a maximum of one year to live. But now, more than three years later, with twice-daily medication and his vegan diet, he is still doing incredibly well!
Benji is currently eating Ami Cat food.” – Boukje Heidstra
Tuck has an active lifestyle
Age: 2 years
Favorite snack: VegDog Beevy
Vegan since: 2021
“Tuck has been on a vegan diet since he was a puppy, and he’s thriving on it. We chose vegan food for Tuck because we live a vegan lifestyle ourselves, and it felt wrong to bring meat into our home when a dog doesn’t necessarily need it. Vegan food is better for the environment, and no other animals have to suffer for it. Plus, he’s doing so well on it that I see no reason to change his diet.
We tested different brands to see which worked best for Tuck. He prefers kibble like Greta and VegDog Green Crunch. Hopefully, more brands and options for vegan dog food will become available soon! Right now, Tuck is eating V-Dog Crunchy Nuggets. We switch his food every year. His favorite snacks are VegDog Beevys.
Tuck has an active lifestyle. We do canitrail and canicross, and during vacations, we go hiking in the mountains.” – Olga
Tyson is much healthier now, according to the vet
Age: 12 years
Favorite snack: Vegetables! Tomatoes, green beans, peas
Vegan since:** 2017
“Tyson is almost 12 years old now and still a happy, energetic dog. I believe this is largely due to his diet, which has improved significantly since he started eating plant-based food. Tyson eats vegan for ethical reasons and is currently on Yarrah food.
He used to have a rough, coarse coat, but now his fur is shiny and soft. He also no longer has stomach issues or diarrhea since he stopped eating meat and by-products. Now that I know what’s actually in conventional dog food, I’m even happier that he’s thriving on a vegan diet. Tyson loves vegetables, and I regularly add fresh veggies and herbs to his meals. Eight years ago, I never would have imagined this was possible.
Not only is Tyson’s coat much healthier, but he also no longer vomits during walks and has stopped eating grass. Both I and the vet agree—he is much healthier now.” – Natascha
Léonie is back to a healthy weight
Age: 6 years
Favorite snack: Everything!
Vegan since: 2018
“Léonie is an adopted French Bulldog, super sweet but with a bit of a manual. Together with Joske, she brings love and joy to our lives. She absolutely loves her vegan food, and you can tell by the funny little happy dances she does, which she accompanies with singing, as soon as she realizes I’m preparing her meal… Léonieke is crazy, sweet, sometimes naughty, but most importantly, a happy and healthy vegan cuddle dog. Léonieke is a gem.
Léonie eats vegan because we’ve been convinced vegans for 5 years, and we had a hard time with the animal food for our 6 cats and 2 dogs. It just didn’t feel right. We first switched the dogs and later the cats. The expertise of Rick Scholtes helped us make the decision.
Léonie now eats Ami Dog kibble and Ami Dog wet food, Red and Yellow. Occasionally, she gets Benevo Duo wet food, which is made a bit wetter with water.” – Inez
Wieza eats her bowl of AmiCat kibble with pleasure every day
Age: 3 years
Favorite snack: Wieza isn’t much of a snacker
Vegan since: 2018
“Wieza is a calm little cuddle cat, about 3 years old. She has a beautiful gray tortoiseshell coat and loves to be around me while I’m working in the garden, often climbing into her tree where she keeps lookout. She eats her bowl of AmiCat kibble with pleasure every day.
Wieza eats vegan because we’ve been convinced vegans for 5 years, and we had a hard time with the animal food for our 6 cats and 2 dogs. It just didn’t feel right. We first switched the dogs and later the cats. The cats had mostly fish-based food, but with our knowledge of animal suffering, that was no longer an option. The expertise of Rick Scholtes helped us make the decision! The transition went smoothly and without any significant problems.” – Inez
Qashqa loves fruit
Age: 12 years
Favorite snack: Melon, cucumber, apple, banana, and strawberry
Vegan since: 2019
“Qashqa eats vegan food because I don’t want him to consume those unhealthy substances found in meat—growth hormones and antibiotics. He now gets Evolution Gourmet Fondue kibble, and he loves it. He loves it so much that he scratches at the bag if I don’t store it properly.” – Susanne Dam
Sheila is a diva at home
Age: 10 years
Favorite snack: Her Ami Cat kibble
Vegan since: 2017
“I’ve been vegan for years, and I didn’t want to contribute to animal suffering through my pets. As a researcher, I did thorough research, and it turned out that it’s very possible for cats to thrive on a vegan diet. Our other cat(s) had been eating vegan food for years and have been doing great on it!
Since switching my cats to a vegan diet, they’ve only improved! No more bad odors, their fur shines and is super soft, and they love eating it. Sheila gets the Ami Cat kibble.
Sheila is really the diva of the house. She prefers to sleep all day on her own chair. But when she’s awake, all of her energy bursts out at once, and I always wonder if she’s going to leave the house in one piece!” – Boukje Heidstra
Gizmo loves to talk and eat
Age: 4 years
Favorite snack: VegeYeast
Vegan since: 2020
“I’ve been vegan for years, and I didn’t want to contribute to animal suffering through my pets. As a researcher, I did thorough research, and it turned out that it’s very possible for cats to thrive on a vegan diet. Our other cat(s) had been eating vegan food for years and have been doing great on it!
From the beginning, all of our cats absolutely love the Ami Cat food. The bowls are licked clean down to (and almost including) the bottom. They are always cheerful, full of energy, and their coats are in great condition. I also have them checked regularly by the vet, and they’re always very happy with their health!
Gizmo is a huge talker, especially when he’s being naughty! As soon as you say something, he talks back, as if to say, “But I didn’t do anything!” He’s also a very big eater. As soon as Gizmo realizes it’s mealtime, he’s almost glued to the food container. He’d eat the whole bag if he could (and he’s tried that once when I forgot to put the bag away right after opening it)!” – Boukje Heidstra
Robin is enjoying her golden years
Age: 13 years
Favorite snack: Whimzees and Garden Bites
Vegan since: 2018
“Hello! I’m Robin, Robin Scheper Woerden-Van Soest. Hehehe. My human friends liked to give me all the names they thought suited me. I’m a Belgian Shepherd lady, now 13 years old. I was born near Rotterdam as the 6th pup, in the car on the way home from the vet, where my 5 siblings were born. I grew up on a ship in the Oosterdok of Amsterdam. Then I traveled the world—Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and even South Africa. Wherever my human friend goes, I go. We’re always together—out together, home together, day in and day out. We truly are the best of friends.
As a puppy, I was raised on a raw diet—my human friends wanted the most natural food for me. One of them had been vegetarian since he was 16, but together they thought I should eat animals, just like I would in the wild, so it would be the best for my health. Over the years, however, it became clearer how terribly painful and disastrous the meat industry (and all industries involving animals like dairy, clothing, cosmetics, entertainment, sports, and transport) is. So, 6 years ago, my human friend became fully vegan.
The idea that so many other animals have to suffer terribly from birth to death made him decide to make me fully vegan too. And I love it! I’m doing so well on it! I eat Benevo dry food and Benevo and Ami wet food, sometimes other brands if it happens to be available. Vegan cookies from Yarrah and chews from Whimzees and Garden Bites provide a tasty and healthy snack, which is also great for my teeth (the vet is very proud of my teeth!). Plus, I get all kinds of fruit, nuts, and seeds.
I’m in great shape at 13 years old. Of course, I’m getting older, with some wear and tear here and there, a bit of arthritis, and cataracts, but my fur is super soft, and I’m in an amazing mood. My human friend sleeps much better knowing that there’s no need for unnecessary cruelty for me. He’s an animal lover, and that doesn’t just apply to pets…” – Fred
