| In today's brave new world of pet food — full of raw-meat diets and homemade alternatives — one surprising category is ascendant: plant-based pet food. For years, a growing number of pet owners have taken their animal companions' diets into their own hands or, like Martha Stewart, prepared gourmet meals for their cats and dogs ("I know exactly what they're getting," she wrote). But despite the best of intentions and pricey ingredients, veterinarians, animal nutritionists and decades of scientific research continues to find that the most complete, balanced food you can feed your pet is — well, pet food. And that includes meatless pet food. Long an unpalatable afterthought, vegan pet food is gaining human and animal fans alike, as people look to reduce their household's environmental impact and enhance their pets' health. Multiple studies suggest that dogs and cats can live longer and healthier lives on scientifically formulated meatless kibble than on conventional diets. (Cats, which evolved to eat only meat, must receive essential supplements such as taurine.) Experts remained skeptical of meatless pet food for years, particularly as some brands were poorly formulated. But almost all commercial brands entering the market today meet the gold standard for pet nutrition. Early studies show that nutritionally sound meatless diets are reducing obesity, allergies and the environmental pawprint of pets. "There's all this research that didn't exist a few years ago," says Andrew Knight, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Winchester, where he directs the Animal Welfare Research Group, in Britain. "The world's starting to change." Now plant-based pet food is booming. The $20 billion market is growing faster than conventional, meat-based kibble. But the real question is: Will your pets eat it? I knew the perfect judge. I asked my Siberian husky, Miska (who often looks down her snout at my offerings), for her expert opinion. Here's what she — and veterinarians and nutritionists — have to say about the future of meatless kibble. What's your pet eating? Write me at climatecoach@washpost.com. I read all your emails. | 
