V-DOG DOG FOOD
It may seem a little counterintuitive to market another brand, V-dog dog food, but most, if not all, vegan dog food founders are motivated by the same sense of responsibility, so we see ourselves as being part of the same force for better, on the same team. We are all concerned by the impact poor nutrition is having on our dog's health, and the environmental and animal welfare impacts of feeding them meat-based food.
V-dog vegan dog food was the first 100% plant-based dog food in the UK, and we have a debt of gratitude to their founders for paving the way for vegan dog diets.
While V-dog and Bonza are both plant-based, vegan and vegetarian dog foods, there are differences. The following is intended to provide those interested, an insight into the differences so that you can compare V-dog and Bonza quickly and easily.
Both Bonza and V-dog contain Taurine. It is an amino acid nutritional supplement that is used to treat taurine-deficiency diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease. It is also effective in preventing retinal degeneration, a disease of the eye.
Although taurine-deficiency occurs primarily in cats, it may also occur in Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Dalmatians, Portuguese Water Dogs, and English Bulldogs. Taurine may also be effective for general heart disease.
Although it is not listed in their ingredients V-dog maintain it is added to their food. Bonza adds L-Carntine to our food. L-Carnitine, is a vitamin-like compound made in the body from amino acids. It's found naturally only in animal-based protein sources. L-Carnitine is a vital nutrient that has many important functions in your dog’s body. A deficiency in this nutrient can result in a host of health problems, including muscle pain, lethargy, and most notably, heart disease. Recent scientific studies show that it can help reduce weight in overweight dogs.
Both V-dog and Bonza add Vitamin D3 to their food. Bonza uses a vegan-friendly, algae derived form of Vit D3 in our food.
V-dog contains Whole Wheat, Corn (Maize) Gluten, Corn (maize) and Rice. Bonza does not. Apart from the fact that corn and wheat are known allergens for dogs, we launched Bonza to do our bit for the environment and the future health of our Planet by reducing the environmental impact of feeding them. For this reason, we chose not to include corn, wheat, soy or rice. Rice is the 2nd largest emitter of Methane after cows and sheep, a greenhouse gas 2500% more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere and responsible for 20% of total global emissions.
As monocrops, corn, wheat and soy are responsible for massive levels of deforestation, a reduction in soil quality, huge levels of water usage, harmful fertiliser use that increase the chances of runoffs that damage water ecosystems and pollute waterways and reduce biodiversity.
These 4 plant-based foods are also known allergens for our dogs.
For these reasons we will never use corn, wheat, soy or rice in our food.
V-dog does not contain the added minerals in a chelated form, whilst Bonza does. Chelated minerals are more expensive which is why most dog foods only use inorganic forms of minerals in their formulation. Research has shown that chelated minerals are absorbed at anywhere from two to five times the rate of the same minerals in their inorganic forms. Chelated forms of trace minerals are more important when feeding plant-based diets as many ingredients contain anti-nutritional factors, such as phytate, which can affect the absorption of vital minerals.
Choline:
V-dog does not add Choline to their food. Bonza does. For dogs, dietary choline is required, if the body cannot meet the demand from the synthesis of methionine, which is often the case with high-fat diets. Choline is one of those multipotent nutrients that allows other metabolic pathways to express their full potential. Although limited animal studies have been conducted, there is evidence that choline may have beneficial effects in neurological conditions by supporting the cell structure and the production of neurotransmitters.
Additionally, choline has a significant role in lipid metabolism, and it has been researched for its effect on increasing fatty acid oxidation and efficient fat utilisation.
Bonza contains probiotics while V-dog does not. Probiotics are known to boost the healthy gut bacteria that help your dog to digest their food. They are a well-understood therapy for diarrhoea, gastrointestinal upset and other digestive orders. More recently, they’ve been found to counter urinary tract infections, immune system disorders and even anxiety.
The microbiome and the gut - brain axis is one of the most exciting new understandings about probiotics. Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and brain, like your own, are in constant dialogue, and proper microorganisms in the intestines can help with mental and emotional regulation.
The combination of probiotics and prebiotics, known as synbiotics, is at the forefront of research into both animal and human clinical nutrition and their significant impact on health. ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Bonza includes Glucosamine in our food, V-dog does not. Glucosamine helps to stimulate cartilage growth and thicken synovial fluid, improving mechanical joint function and slowing the progression of arthritis – meaning less stiffness and discomfort for your dog.
Scientists at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, conducted a review of 16 clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs. They reported their results in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and found that preparations containing glucosamine provided a “moderate level” of comfort, and were on a par with some prescription drugs.
Bonza includes MSM in our food, V-dog doesn't. MSM is a naturally occurring supplement used primarily as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for conditions such as arthritis and some cancers. MSM detoxes the body on a cellular level, by flushing waste out of cells. It also can dissolve harmful toxins floating around inside your dog's body. Once the bad elements are out of the cells, fresh nutrients can enter in their place. This leads to less disease and better function of the body.
Bonza includes a carefully selected blend of herbs and botanicals in our food. Herbs and botanicals included in our formulation are turmeric, chamomile, ginger, echinacea, parsley, oregano, basil, sage and basil, The benefits for your dog include anti-inflammatory and antioxidative, digestive support, joint and mobility support, immune health and cognitive improvement.
These ingredients contain powerful phytonutrients which provide a host of benefits, both preventative and curative, for your dog throughout their lives.
V-dog contains the following herbs - parsley and rosemary and turmeric,
Bonza includes a carefully selected blend of adaptogens in our food. Adaptogens are herbs, roots and other plant substances (like mushrooms) that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance. Adaptogens work at a molecular level by regulating a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Included in our food are Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Reishi Mushroom and Turmeric.
Personalised Meal Plan & Delivery:
When you subscribe to Bonza, we ask you a variety of questions about your dog - breed, weight, age, sex and intactness, activity level and about any health issues they may have. These factors impact the exact amount of calories your dog should be eating each day to maintain peak health and wellness. We then provide you with an exact daily feeding amount which also allows us to schedule your next delivery to arrive 2 days before you run out. Never too much. Never run out. No more stress or emergency dashes for dog food. And you control it all with a click of a button in your dashboard.
Free Veterinary Consultation 24/7, 365 days a year:
As a subscriber we offer you free access to VidiVet, the UK's leading online vet consultation service, providing you with access to a vet at any time of the day via text or video. Peace of mind that you can get access to a vet out of hours without the cost, and inconvenience, of visiting your vet unnecessarily.
Because the environment and restoring the health of the Planet is a primary driver for us we chose to become members of 1% for the Planet. Our selected beneficiary are Trees for the Future whose Forest Garden approach work with farmers in Africa, planting tress, fruit and vegetables, helping to restore degraded land, providing their families with food security and incomes to help their family's futures. For every box of Bonza we contribute £0.60 to Trees for the Future
We work with One Tribe and Rainforest Trust to preserve the lungs of the Planet, rainforests. For every subscription delivery we make to you we preserve 20 rainforest trees storing almost 10 tonnes of carbon and sequestering a further 0.4 tonnes annually.
We hope this provides an informative understanding of how V-dog and Bonza differ. Whichever plant-based food you choose to feed your dog we thank you for playing your part in giving them better nutrition and helping to protect our planet from the harms of animal agriculture and the impact meat-based dog food.
Cost Comparison V-dog vs. Bonza:
While on the face of it V-dog appears to be cheaper than Bonza (in truth less than a cup of Starbucks a day!), when one considers the difference in inclusions, and the benefits these offer your dog throughout their lives, we believe Bonza offers exceptional value against all dog food, meat-based or plant-based.
A growing body of scientific research and vegan dog food studies point to the benefits, for your dog and the environment, of either adding more plant-based food to their diet or better still going entirely plant-based.
We chose to highlight the differences between the two foods with a simple motivation: helping owners make a considered decision on what the best nutrition for their dogs is, by providing what we hope is a helpful and accurate comparison of the composition of both vegan dog foods.
Bonza. Elevate Your Dog’s Diet Beyond Simple Nutrition.