World’s dogs going vegan ‘would save more emissions than UK produces’

The British Veterinary Association and Blue Cross have previously advised against feeding animals a vegan diet. Photograph: damedeeso/Getty/iStockphoto

If all the world’s dogs went vegan it would save more greenhouse gas emissions than those produced by the UK, according to research advocating the environmental benefits of plant-based pets.

The study estimated cats and dogs consume about 9% of all land animals killed for food – about 7 billion animals annually – as well as billions of fish and aquatic animals. Plant-based diets lower greenhouse gas emissions and require less land and water.