The Best Vet-Approved Dog Food
Most of us would do anything to support our pup’s health and longevity, and finding the best vet-approved dog food for them can be overwhelming. It’s one of the most important decisions we make for their overall well-being, and I can attest to suffering from decision fatigue when making food choices for my dog, Cookie.
That’s why I’ve been a longtime fan of Petaluma,* a vet-approved, whole food derived dog food that was formulated by an actual board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Below I’ll walk through what “vet-approved” really means, what’s in the bag, and the nutrition behind Petaluma’s dog food.
What does “vet-approved dog food” actually mean?
Here’s what to look for when ensuring your dog’s food is both approved by vets and meets national nutrition standards and guidelines for dogs:
- An AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. This tells you the food is formulated to be complete and balanced for a particular life stage.
- A board-certified veterinary nutritionist behind the formula. This is a vet with advanced, specialized training in animal nutrition.
- Transparency about who that expert is. We want to ensure that the veterinary nutritionist has verified credentials and has participated in animal nutrition research.
Petaluma checks all of those boxes, which is one of the top reasons why I wholeheartedly believe in the brand.
Get 20% off your first order of Petaluma’s vet-approved dog food here!
Meet Petaluma: plant-based, oven baked, vet-approved dog food.
Petaluma was founded by married couple Caroline Buck and Garrett Wymore, whose love for both animals and the planet inspired the creation of the brand. Petaluma is a Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral certified, a member of 1% for the Planet, and its food is made in the U.S.
In addition to the lovely origin story and impressive accolades, three things set the food, itself, apart:
1. It’s baked, not extruded. Most kibble is made through extrusion, a high-heat, high-pressure process that grinds ingredients into flours first. Petaluma bakes (or, for the Whole Food Mixer, dehydrates) its recipes at gentler temperatures, so the nutritional integrity of the ingredients remain higher and more bioavailable for your pup.
2. It contains organic, whole food derived ingredients. While Petaluma isn’t a 100% organic food brand, it still uses far more organic, high-quality, and intentional ingredients than conventional dog food brands. The proportion of certified organic ingredients depends on the product: up to 50% in the baked foods and 67% in the Whole Food Mixer.
3. It’s developed by board certified veterinary nutritionists, and the food has undergone in-depth laboratory nutritional testing. You can see the results here.
Petaluma’s product breakdown:
| Product | Best for | Protein / Fat (per cup) | Organic ingredients | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato (oven baked) | Adult dogs, ages 1 to 7 | 33g / 17g | 50% | $29.56 |
| Baked Pumpkin & Peanut Butter (oven baked) | Senior dogs, 7+ | 32g / 12g | 30% | $29.56 |
| Whole Food Mixer (dehydrated) | Adult and senior dogs, as a topper or fresh-food alternative | 24g / 13g | 67% | $22.46 |
Prices as listed on Petaluma’s site at the time of writing and subject to change.
- Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato provides everyday, complete nutrition for adult dogs.
- Baked Pumpkin & Peanut Butter is formulated for senior dogs, with added joint and digestive support to support your dog in their golden years.
- Whole Food Mixer is a dehydrated, whole food blend you can mix into the baked food as a topper, or serve to picky eaters who want extra flavor. It’s also a great option for fresh food fans who also want the convenience of a shelf-stable food.
The nutritional benefits of Petaluma.
Dogs are omnivores, just like humans – which means they can thrive on plant-based diets. Petaluma’s recipes were developed to meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition using plant-based ingredients, with complete amino acids to meet dogs’ protein needs. Here are the core nutritional highlights:
- Solid protein. The adult baked formula comes in at 33g of protein per cup, and the senior formula at 32g.
- More fiber. In Petaluma’s comparison against a conventional kibble, their adult formula had 18g of fiber per cup versus 12g. Fiber supports gut health, fullness, and weight management.
- Weight support. Healthy weight has a strong correlation with longer lifespans in dogs, and Petaluma’s formula is designed to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
- Lower phosphorus. Plant-based diets are naturally lower in phosphorus, which can be beneficial for dogs with or at risk for chronic kidney disease. If your dog has kidney issues, always consult your vet before switching their food.
- Gut health. Petaluma’s fiber-rich recipes are designed to support a diverse gut microbiome, which can support overall digestion and immune function.
What does the research say about plant-based diets for dogs?
There have been many studies on the benefits of plant-based diets for dogs.
- A 2024 PLOS ONE study found that dogs maintained positive clinical, nutritional, and blood health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year.
- A 2023 systematic review in Veterinary Sciences looked at the impact of vegan diets on health indicators in dogs and cats.
Allergies and sensitivities
Petaluma’s dog food can be a good fit for dogs with meat protein allergies or sensitivities. Many pet parents have reported better skin, coat, and digestion within a few weeks of transitioning their dog to Petaluma’s food, with allergy-related improvements taking 4 to 12 weeks. As always, it’s important to get a proper allergy diagnosis from your vet prior to making dietary changes.
How veterinary expertise played into Petaluma’s formulation.
This is the part that earns the “vet-approved” label for me. Petaluma’s recipes were formulated by Dr. Sarah Dodd, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who specializes in plant-based nutrition for companion animals. Dr. Dodd is an advisor to Petaluma and the company’s lead formulator, and led on the formulation of Petaluma’s Whole Food Mixer.
Here are Dr. Dodd’s credentials:
- BVSc, MSc, PhD
- Graduated as a veterinarian from Massey University in New Zealand
- Completed a PhD at the University of Guelph, with a residency in veterinary and comparative nutrition
- Has formulated hundreds of therapeutic diets for dogs and cats with nutritionally responsive conditions
- A published researcher
Dr. Dodd has shared that, “Petaluma is focused on creating a more compassionate food system that’s better for all animals. As a veterinary nutritionist, I’m excited to help develop foods that deliver optimal nutrition for dogs while supporting more humane agricultural practices.”
In addition to Dr. Dodd’s extensive experience formulating dog food and participating in veterinary nutrition research, all Petaluma formulas also meet AAFCO standards for the Adult Maintenance profile (meaning Petaluma’s food is suitable for dogs 1 year and older).
Of note, Petaluma’s two baked kibble options (Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato for adult dogs 1 year and older, and the Baked Pumpkin & Peanut Butter for senior dogs) were both formulated by Dr. Blake Hawley, who has over 25 years of experience developing scientific and specialized diets for pets.
How to switch your dog to Petaluma’s vet-approved dog food.
As with any new food, you should transition your dog gradually to Petaluma dog food.
- Transition over 7 to 14 days. Begin with a small amount of Petaluma mixed into your dog’s current food, and gradually increase the ratio each day.
- Use the portion calculator. Petaluma has a portion calculator to help you figure out how much to feed your dog.
- Check with your vet first if your dog is a senior or has a health condition.
FAQs
Is plant-based dog food safe for dogs?
Yes! Dogs are omnivores, so their nutritional needs can be met from plant-based sources if the food is complete and balanced. That’s why it’s important to choose a food formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist and meets AAFCO standards, as Petaluma’s does.
Is Petaluma complete and balanced for all life stages?
Petaluma’s recipes meet the AAFCO Adult Maintenance profile for dogs 1 year and older (it’s not intended for puppies).
How do I know if a dog food is vet-approved?
Check for an AAFCO adequacy statement and find out who formulated the food and what their credentials are. For Petaluma, that’s board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Sarah Dodd.
Is Petaluma completely organic?
Petaluma’s baked foods are up to 50% organic and the Whole Food Mixer is 67% organic. This is still far better than conventional dog food brands, which typically contain zero or minimal organic ingredients.
Can I try Petaluma before buying a full bag?
Yes, and that’s another thing I love about this brand! Petaluma offers free samples (plus $5 shipping and handling) so your dog can test the food first.
The bottom line on Petaluma’s vet-approved dog food.
If you’re looking for vet-approved dog food that’s nutrient dense, gut and allergen-friendly, Petaluma is an excellent choice.
Ready to give Petaluma a try? Get 20% off your first order here!
*Note that there are affiliate links and sponsored content elements in this article. I only accept content sponsorships and affiliate engagements from brands I’ve personally tried and vetted. These collaborations allow me to run this blog and keep my in-depth content free of charge for readers like you who want to learn more about plant-based, sustainable living.
