Ihlow, August 28, 2026
How is a new dog food actually created? Vutter! answers this question in an interview with veterinarian Dr. Karim Montasser. The new "Wet Food: Like Pork" was developed in close collaboration with the "YouTube Vet," who is known on social media for his content on animal welfare topics and accompanied the development process from a veterinary perspective. The Vutter! community was also part of the development: As part of an acceptance test, the recipe was tested by 100 dogs and further optimized based on their feedback.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Karim Montasser talks about why his collaboration with Vutter! is important to him, why "Like Pork" was chosen as the flavor, and what really matters in high-quality vegan dog food from a veterinary perspective.
With the new wet food variety, Vutter! aims to consciously provide a look behind the scenes of product development. Because many months pass before a new dog food lands in the bowl: from the first recipe and veterinary supervision to the feedback from the dogs who will later eat the food.
Five Questions for Veterinarian Dr. Karim Montasser
How did the collaboration with Vutter! for the development of the new wet food come about?
Dr. Karim Montasser: "Vutter! and I have been working together for several years now. During this time, we have addressed many topics together: from pigs as intelligent and social animals to the question of why dogs don't need meat for a nutritionally complete diet. We share the conviction that dogs should get everything they need for a healthy life – without other animals having to suffer for it. So, when the idea for a new wet food variety arose, it quickly became clear to me that I would be happy to support the project."
From a veterinary perspective, what was particularly important to you during the development?
Dr. Karim Montasser: "As a veterinarian, my first concern is whether a food fully nourishes the dog. Dogs don't need specific ingredients; they need specific nutrients. The recipe must provide all essential nutrients and at the same time be developed in such a way that dogs enjoy eating it. A dog food can be nutritionally excellent, but if the dog doesn't eat it, it's useless. That's why the acceptance test with the dogs from the community was particularly important to me."
Many only see the finished product in the end. How does the development of a new dog food actually work?
Dr. Karim Montasser: "Most people underestimate how much work goes into a new recipe. Before the first can is even produced, the nutrient supply, ingredients, and composition must be precisely calculated. Then it's tested, adjusted, and tested again. I found it particularly exciting that Vutter! also conducted an acceptance test. This shows that it's not just about the theory being right, but that ultimately the dogs also get to decide. The dogs from the community were ultimately our most honest testers. Their feedback helped us to continuously improve the recipe."
You advocated for the "Like Pork" flavor. Why was pork specifically important to you?
Dr. Karim Montasser: "Pigs are incredibly strong-willed and social animals. Anyone who spends time with them quickly realizes that they have as many different personalities as dogs do. For me, therefore, the question arises: Why do we love some and feed others? That's exactly why I found the idea of a 'Like Pork' variety so exciting. Today, dogs can enjoy the flavor without a pig having to die for it."
What advice would you give dog owners who are considering switching their dog to vegan dog food?
Dr. Karim Montasser: "I would advise them not to be guided by myths, but to look at the scientific facts. Dogs don't need specific ingredients. They need specific nutrients. What matters is not whether these come from animal or plant sources. If we can feed dogs healthily without other animals having to suffer or die, then that is, in my opinion, the better way."
The new "Wet Food: Like Pork" will be available from Friday, August 28, in the Vutter! online shop at www.vutter.de. At the same time, Vutter! expanded its product range in July to include vegan pig ears. The plant-based alternative is visually and texturally similar to the popular chew item, but contains no pork whatsoever and perfectly complements the new "Like Pork" wet food variety.
