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International vegan dog food brand V-Planet has announced its 100 percent plant-based dog food will launch in Japan.
The company has partnered with Japanese distributor Wholefoods, Inc as part of its plans to expand globally. Wholefoods is ran by vegan dog owner Dr Harue Suzuki and renowned raw-food chef, Akiko Fukuyama.
‘Nutritionally complete’
The company claims its vegan kibble is ‘nutritionally complete’ for pooches. Its ingredients include flaxseeds, oats, rice, pea protein, quinoa and vitamin B12.
Wholefoods president, Dr. Suzuki, says: “I knew there had to be a healthier alternative for my pets than the food that was available.
“In Japan our dogs are a huge part of our lifestyle… Bringing v-planet’s cruelty-free and completely nutritious vegan food to my country is a welcome opportunity.”
V-planet’s products are also free-from corn, wheat, and soy.
A growing market
Lindsay Rubin, vice president of V-Planet, added: “With almost nine million pet dogs in Japan… It’s clear Japanese pet parents are dedicated to their pups.
“Currently, the plant-based pet food options in Japan are limited. We’re very excited to bring a completely balanced vegan and pet-approved alternative for pet parents concerned about animals and the planet.”
Products are also available in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Panama, and Israel.
V-Dog, V-planet’s parent company, is owned and run by a vegan family. It has been producing the products for more than a 10 years.
Can dogs be vegan?
According to animal rights charity PETA, with ‘the right planning and care’, dogs can be plant-based. It adds ‘it’s important to ensure that their nutritional requirements are met’.
“Dogs require two amino acids: L-carnitine and taurine. They are usually added to vegan dog foods or can be added as supplements,” the charity said.
“Many vegan…dogs enjoy excellent health. One remarkable example is Bramble, a pooch who entered the World Records as the world’s oldest living dog in 2002.”
Bramble ate a diet high in vegan foods such as ‘rice, lentils, and organic vegetables’.
