Virtuous Vittles introduces shelf-stable, plant-based dog food

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. — After being unable to find a palatable plant-based diet for her dog, Xiggy, that matched her own personal values, Briana Schweizer began a mission to find a nutritious and delicious vegetarian option for dogs. Bringing on her close friend Lisbeth Merrill, who has a background in IP law and startups, as a co-founder and Sarah Dodd, DVM, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to help with formulation, Virtuous Vittles was born. 

“That insight launched Virtuous Vittles — first discovering what truly appeals to dogs’ palates, then diving deep into nutritional research,” Schweizer explained in an exclusive interview with Pet Food Processing.

Formulated for adult dogs, the brand’s Bountiful Land dog food is a “first of its kind,” shelf-stable morsels in gravy plant-based diet, which is designed to provide an appealing texture for canines. According to the brand, in its informal taste tests, it saw 10 out of 10 dogs “gobble up” the food after the first sniff. 

“Beyond palatability, we’ve taken a holistic approach to every aspect of our business — from using only human-grade ingredients with minimal processing to designing our entire supply chain and packaging to minimize environmental impact,” Schweizer said. “We’re not just making plant-based foods, we’re reimagining what responsible companion nutrition looks like.”

Bountiful Land features plant-based meat with an amino acid profile that closely mirrors animal meat, according to Virtuous Vittles. Vital wheat gluten serves as the foundation, which is a highly digestible protein rich in muscle-supporting branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and methionine for detoxification and skin health. Additionally, pea protein and nutritional yeast contribute lysine for immune function and essential B vitamins for energy metabolism. 

The formula also features essential fatty acids for energy and cognitive support; olive oil for heart-healthy monounsaturated fats; kelp for essential minerals; marine algae for bioavailable calcium; spinach for magnesium and iron; a specially formulated vitamin premix from plant sources; and diverse plant fibers to feed beneficial gut bacteria, act as cellular protectants and support the gut microbiome. According to the brand, the formula is naturally low in saturated fats and cholesterol-free. 

Using retort canning, which uses pressurized steam to cook and sterilize the food directly in-package, Virtuous Vittles is able to lock in the nutrients of the food and keep the meals shelf-stable without the use of any artificial fillers, additives or preservatives, according to the brand. The food is manufactured in BRC-AA rated facilities in the United States using carefully selected domestic and international ingredients.

Prioritizing environmental impact, Virtuous Vittles uses Tetra Pak’s innovative carton technology, which is made primarily from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paperboard — a renewable material that can be replenished when sourced responsibly — and contains up to 90% renewable content. However, the 100% plant-based formula is what really takes the trophy of sustainability in the product, with every Virtuous Vittles meal being up to 34 times more sustainable than conventional animal-based meals, according to the brand.

While the sustainability component of plant-based diets has been known, their nutritional value has a bit less widespread information. In recent years, scientific studies surrounding the nutrition of plant-based diets for pets have grown substantially, with several demonstrating either maintained excellent health or even improved health over the course of being fed plant-based diets. Some of these studies include a 2024 clinical study at Western University of Health Sciences, a large-scale survey conducted by Andrew Knight, Ph.D., and recent research done by team-member Dodd herself. 

“The key to unlocking these health benefits is ensuring any plant-based diet is formulated by qualified nutritionists and meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for complete-and-balanced nutrition,” Schweizer said. “This is exactly what we’ve done.”

Virtuous Vittles also shared plans to introduce a Bountiful Land plant-based formula for cats in the spring of 2026, as well as its upcoming Air and Sea product lines, plant-based treats and new formulations for puppies.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.