For decades, the pet food industry has taught us that “meat = health” when it comes to canine nutrition. Yet, what if much of that belief comes not from independent research, but from manufacturers whose bottom line relies on your trust in their ingredients? In My Dog Is A Vegan, we follow Jon Eric West—a Finnish journalist and animal advocate with nearly 30 years of caring for dogs—as he challenges that very assumption: can a dog thrive on a 100% plant‑based diet if done right?

Jon’s story begins long before this experiment. Over the years he has rescued almost 300 dogs in Finland and Spain, navigating the complex, sometimes contradictory nutrition advice that floods social media, scientific journals, and veterinarian’s offices alike. He’s heard the strong claims that dogs need animal protein, that raw diets are the only “natural” option, that meat‑based kibble is superior because “that’s what carnivores eat.” But he’s also noticed something troubling: many meat‑based diets, even in well‑known pet foods, seem to lead to chronic problems—obesity, cancer, liver or kidney disease—that may stem from how the food is made, what it actually contains, and what it lacks.

In My Dog Is A Vegan, we dive deep into the science underpinning dog nutrition. We learn that nutrients—not ingredients—are what matter: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. The question is whether a diet includes all of them, in the right ratios, with proper digestion and bioavailability. A vegan diet done correctly can supply everything a dog needs: so long as essential vitamins like B12 and D3, trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, correct amino acid profiles, and more are included. Surprising to many, deficiencies and health problems often arise not from vegan food per se but from poorly formulated meat-based diets or from processing that destroys or alters nutrients.

We also explore the hidden environmental cost of the pet food industry. The production chain of meat‑based diets—including sourcing, rendering, shipping—carries large carbon footprints. Conversely, plant-based ingredients, when sourced responsibly, reduce many of those impacts. My Dog Is A Vegan doesn’t argue for veganism for its own sake—it makes a case for sustainability, transparency, and scientific rigor in what we feed our animals.

Jon’s experiment is gradual, careful. Over a month he transitions his dogs from their accustomed meat‑based kibble to a fully plant‑based formula, observing how each dog reacts—do they finish their meals, maintain weight, show vitality? The film includes input from nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists who weigh in on feeding trials, labelling practices, and even regulatory bodies. We see the challenges: misleading labels, “splitting” ingredient names to hide actual proportions, and the absence of strong feeding‑trial data for many products.

This film also confront myths: that raw diets are automatically safer or more natural; that animal‐derivative protein is always superior; that “natural,” “real meat,” or “fresh meat” on packaging guarantees quality. These terms often hide more than they reveal like the risks: pathogens, nutritional imbalances, inconsistent sourcing.

Above all, My Dog Is A Vegan is a journey of curiosity, science, and compassion—not judgment. It’s for dog owners who want to do right by their companions: for those questioning what “healthy” truly means; who want environmental responsibility joined with ethical feeding; who wonder whether assumptions about “what dogs must eat” are really backed by evidence. If you’ve ever stood in the pet food aisle, overwhelmed by labels and marketing, this film seeks to bring clarity. Because feeding your dog is one of the greatest acts of love—and love deserves truth.