Is Nature's Hug Vegan? Understanding the Two Different Brands

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2024 survey by the Plant Based Foods Association, a significant number of American households are actively increasing their plant-based purchases. This shift means more consumers are asking, 'Is Nature's Hug vegan?'—a question with a surprisingly complex answer due to two similarly named but distinct brands.

Quick Summary

Answering if Nature's Hug is vegan depends on which brand you mean, as there are two separate companies: a pet food brand that is fully vegan, and a human food brand with some non-vegan products like honey.

Key Points

Two Separate Brands: The query "Is Nature's Hug vegan?" can refer to two distinct companies: a pet food brand (Nature's HUG®) and a human food brand (Nature's Hug).
Vegan Pet Food: The pet food brand, Nature's HUG®, is explicitly vegan and uses yeast-based protein, not animal products.
Mixed Human Food: The Canadian human food brand, Nature's Hug, is not 100% vegan, as it sells products containing honey, an animal product.
Importance of Labels: Due to the brand confusion, consumers must check individual product labels for vegan certifications and ingredients to confirm the item's status.
Know the Difference: The best way to distinguish between the two is by their focus (pet vs. human food) and the specific product ingredients, especially looking out for honey.

The Core Confusion: Two Different Brands

When searching for "Nature's Hug," consumers will find two separate entities with similar names. One is a vegan pet food company operating as Nature's HUG® (natureshugpetfood.com). The other is a Canadian brand called Nature's Hug (natureshug.ca) that sells a variety of organic human foods, some of which are not vegan. This distinction is crucial for anyone adhering to a plant-based or vegan lifestyle.

Nature's HUG® Pet Food: A Dedicated Vegan Brand

Nature's HUG® is a Canadian company specializing in hypoallergenic, plant-based dry food for cats and dogs. The company was founded to provide sustainable and eco-friendly nutrition for pets using alternative proteins. Their commitment to a meat-free formula is a central part of their brand identity.

What makes Nature's HUG® pet food vegan?

Protein Source: The primary protein, known as Protein NH+, is derived from fermented yeast, which has an amino acid profile similar to animal protein. This innovative approach provides complete and balanced nutrition without relying on animal products.
Other Ingredients: All recipes are crafted with whole food ingredients, including legumes, fruits, and vegetables such as green peas, chickpeas, pumpkin, and apples.
No Animal Testing: The brand's products are developed without any animal testing, adhering to cruelty-free principles.
Certifications: The products are marketed and sold as certified vegan, though specific trademark information varies by retailer.

Nature's Hug Human Food: A Mixed-Product Brand

On the other side of the coin is Nature's Hug (natureshug.ca), a Canadian organic food brand for humans. While this company offers many plant-based items, its product line is not exclusively vegan. This is a common situation for many organic and health food brands that cater to a broad range of dietary preferences.

Products from Nature's Hug (human food) include:

Seeds and grains
Flours and nut butters
Cereals and granolas
Dressings and sauces
Honey: Notably, the brand sells both Buckwheat and Wildflower honey, which are animal products and therefore not vegan.

The company states that it provides products with various certifications, including vegan, but consumers must check the specific item to ensure it meets their requirements. A granola bar containing honey, for example, would not be suitable for a strict vegan diet.

Comparison of Nature's HUG® (Pet) vs. Nature's Hug (Human)

To help clarify the differences, here is a breakdown of the key features of each brand.


Feature	Nature's HUG® (Pet Food)	Nature's Hug (Human Food)
Core Focus	Exclusively vegan pet food	Organic and natural human food
Vegan Status	100% vegan recipes	Sells both vegan and non-vegan products
Key Non-Vegan Ingredient	None	Honey (in certain products)
Primary Protein	Yeast-based (Protein NH+)	Plant-based grains, nuts, legumes
Product Line	Dry food for cats and dogs	Cereals, snacks, flour, spreads
Certification	Promotes vegan and hypoallergenic claims	Offers some products with specific certifications
Origin	Canada	Canada

The Importance of Checking Product Labels

The case of Nature's Hug and Nature's HUG® underscores a vital lesson for conscientious consumers: relying solely on a brand's general reputation can be misleading. A company's name or mission might suggest a fully plant-based ethos, but the details of each product matter, especially with smaller or diversifying brands.

To ensure a product is truly vegan, look for specific certifications from recognized organizations, such as the Vegan Trademark by The Vegan Society or the V-Label. These certifications require rigorous ingredient and processing checks to confirm the absence of animal-derived components and cross-contamination. Always read the ingredient list, even if a product claims to be "plant-based," as this term does not always mean 100% vegan.

Conclusion

The question "Is Nature's Hug vegan?" has a nuanced answer because it refers to two different companies. Nature's HUG®, the pet food brand, is explicitly and exclusively vegan, using yeast-based protein for its meat-free formulas. However, the Canadian organic human food brand, Nature's Hug, is not entirely vegan as it sells products containing honey. Consumers, especially those avoiding all animal products, must pay close attention to the specific product and its ingredients to ensure it aligns with their dietary choices. The similar naming highlights the importance of label vigilance in the growing plant-based market. For more information on brand certifications, check out the Vegan Verified website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Nature's HUG® pet food is marketed as a completely vegan brand, using a fermented yeast-based protein source instead of meat.

Nature's HUG® is a vegan pet food company, while Nature's Hug is a Canadian brand that sells organic human foods, some of which contain animal products like honey.

Yes, many of the human food products from Nature's Hug, such as pulses, grains, and some flours, are vegan. However, other products, like those containing honey, are not.

The protein source in Nature's HUG® pet food is a sustainable, yeast-based alternative called Protein NH+, which provides the same amino acid profile as animal protein.

To ensure a product is vegan, always check the ingredient list. Look for certifications like the Vegan Trademark, but be aware that some products from this brand contain honey.

Nature's HUG®, the pet food brand, confirms it does not test on animals. However, you should check for specific cruelty-free certifications for the human food brand if animal testing is a concern.

The Canadian Nature's Hug company caters to a general health food market, which includes consumers who eat honey. Their product line is not exclusively marketed as vegan, so it contains both plant-based and honey-based items.