The "are legumes bad for dogs" question has been kicking around since the FDA opened its 2018 DCM investigation. Here is where the science actually stands today, including a 2024 18-month controlled trial that found legume-containing diets did not negatively impact cardiac function in healthy adult dogs.
Dogs need ten specific essential amino acids, not animal-derived ingredients per se. Here's what each one does, how plant ingredients deliver them through complementary protein pairing, and how Petaluma's recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO requirements.
In July 2024, the British Veterinary Association reversed its long-standing opposition to nutritionally-sound vegan dog food. We unpack what the BVA changed, the peer-reviewed evidence behind the shift, and what it actually means for any pet parent considering plant-based feeding.
A comprehensive, evidence-based guide to Cushing's disease in dogs — covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options like trilostane and surgery, and the dietary principles veterinarians recommend, including where plant-based nutrition fits in.
A combined Q&A with Petaluma's two veterinary formulators, Dr. Blake Hawley DVM and board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Sarah Dodd, on plant-based nutrition, ingredients, AAFCO compliance, digestibility, and how the baked food and Whole Food Mixer work together.
Beef, dairy, and chicken account for the majority of confirmed food allergies in dogs. A plant-based diet avoids them all by design. Petaluma's senior recipe is the only plant-based formula in the U.S. that combines that allergen-clean foundation with senior-specific support: 450 mg DHA, 150 mg glucosamine, 100 mg curcumin per cup.
V-Dog has been making plant-based dog food since 2005 — they helped establish the category. For dogs in their adult years, V-Dog Kind Kibble is a credible option. For aging dogs, Petaluma's senior recipe offers the senior-specific support (DHA, glucosamine, curcumin, reduced phosphorus) that V-Dog's adult formula doesn't include.
Halo Holistic Vegan is a solid plant-based food for adult dogs. But Halo's senior recipes — which include glucosamine and DHA — are chicken-based. Petaluma Senior is the only plant-based formula in the U.S. customized for senior dogs, with supplement-level DHA, glucosamine, and curcumin in every cup.
Wild Earth Performance is built for active adult dogs. Petaluma's Senior Baked Recipe is built for aging dogs — with 3x the DHA, added glucosamine, curcumin, and reduced sodium and phosphorus. A side-by-side guide to choosing the right plant-based food for your senior pup.
Pancreatitis in dogs is far more common than most owners realize — one post-mortem study found 34% of dogs had chronic pancreatitis at death. This guide covers acute vs. chronic, the warning signs, risk factors, and the 2024-updated research on low-fat dietary management.
Canine diabetes affects roughly 1 in 300 dogs and is rising every year. This guide covers the warning signs, how vets diagnose it, and the evidence-based diet principles (high fiber, moderate fat, consistent meal timing) that support blood sugar control.
Senior dogs lose coat shine and develop dry, flaky skin as sebum production and follicle cycling slow. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially preformed DHA and ALA from flaxseed, help calm inflammation and rebuild the skin barrier from the inside out.
