A segment on Friday's episode of Good Morning Britain sparked a fierce backlash from viewers after wildlife presenter Chris Packham discussed feeding his dogs a vegan diet.
Studio Debate Ignites Social Media Storm
Presenters Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh were joined in the studio by campaigner Chris Packham, 64, who explained that his dogs, Sid and Nancy, follow a carefully formulated plant-based diet. He cited a 2022 systematic review and a subsequent University of Nottingham study, claiming the research shows plant-based diets can be nutritionally equal or superior to meat-based ones for canine health.
"What's critical to say, it's not where the proteins, amino acids, the fats, the vitamins, the rest of the nutrients come from, it's that they are in that diet," Packham argued. He emphasised that the diet his pets eat is lab-formulated to meet all their nutritional needs.
Kate Garraway voiced a common concern, worrying that owners might opt for cheaper, poorly balanced alternatives. Packham acknowledged the risk, stating it must be a properly designed diet to work.
Viewer Outrage and Veterinary Perspective
The discussion quickly spilled onto social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where viewers expressed intense criticism. Many accused Packham of being "cruel" and having "lost the plot," insisting dogs are natural meat-eaters. One user challenged: "Put a bowl of meat-based food next to one of plant-based food and see which the dogs choose." Others questioned his motives, asking if he had shares in a plant-based dog food company.
Vet Dr Scott, 49, also contributed to the studio debate. While praising the environmental benefits of a vegan diet, he reminded the audience that dogs are naturally omnivores. "They eat meat," he stated, describing how wild canines often consume plant matter from the guts of their prey.
The Core of the Nutritional Argument
When Ranvir Singh directly asked if it was right for dogs to be vegan, Chris Packham refined his argument. He pointed out that dogs descended from wolves 33,000 years ago and have evolved as omnivores capable of digesting plant material.
"It's not about the meat or the plant-based, it's the nutrients, the proteins, that are important to them," he contended. Packham concluded that the barrier is human perception, asserting, "It's the humans that need to change their minds on behalf of their pet's health."
The heated exchange highlighted the growing, yet deeply divisive, trend of plant-based pet nutrition. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
