Vegan Cat: Is Veganism Beneficial for Animals?

Cats are known to be carnivorous animals. However, a vegan diet may be more beneficial for these pets than meat. Researchers say that cats on a meat-free diet experience fewer health issues and require medication less often.

The Pros and Cons of Veganism for Cats

Researchers surveyed over 1,300 cat owners, nearly 10% of whom fed their pets vegan food. According to the responses, vegan cats needed medication less frequently and visited the veterinarian no more than once a year, as they had almost no health problems.

However, it’s impossible to be certain that these individual results are accurate. The study included only 127 vegan cats, making it difficult to definitively claim that the health benefits observed were not coincidental.

When researchers examined the health of 22 furry companions, they found that 15 of the vegan cats experienced fewer gastrointestinal issues (such as diarrhea and vomiting), hormonal disorders (like diabetes), and skin and respiratory problems. Yet again, the results were inconclusive due to the small number of cats on a vegan diet.

Currently, the British Veterinary Association does not recommend veganism for cats. These pets require a sufficient amount of essential nutrients, such as taurine and vitamin A, which are found in animal products but are minimal or absent in plant-based foods.

Additionally, the research revealed a significantly higher risk of kidney disease in vegan cats compared to their meat-eating counterparts. However, these conclusions were based on observations of only four animals on a vegan diet.

Study leader Professor Andrew Knight told the Daily Mail that the findings suggest a vegan diet has exciting potential for improving cat health. Moreover, veganism offers substantial environmental benefits. However, to ensure that such a diet does not harm feline health, owners should feed their pets only commercially available vegan pet foods labeled as complete, produced by reputable companies with high standards.

Potential Benefits of Veganism for Cats

The study examined seven health benefits potentially associated with a cat’s diet, as reported by their owners. This is the next best approach after conducting thorough veterinary examinations of cats, which are time-consuming and costly, and not typically performed in large scientific experiments.

Owners of vegan cats reported that their pets were 23% less likely to be seriously ill. However, they only reported an 8% lower incidence of serious illnesses diagnosed by a veterinarian.

Vegan cat owners also reported that their pets were 15% less likely to be on medication, aside from routine vaccinations or treatments for fleas or parasites, compared to meat-eating animals. Furthermore, they reported that their cats visited the veterinarian two or more times in the past year 7% less often, which could indicate health issues.

Cat owners who follow a vegan diet also noted that their pets experienced nearly 16% fewer health disorders. Additionally, they reported that veterinarians were less likely to consider their cat’s health to have worsened over the past year.

Vegan cats were also 55% less likely to require a therapeutic diet, which is sometimes prescribed for health issues, such as skin conditions. However, this last result may be partly due to vegan cat owners refusing prescribed therapeutic diets if they contain animal products.

Consulting a Veterinarian About Your Cat’s Diet is Best

Due to the small number of vegan cats, there were no individual health disorders or benefits that could be statistically linked to the diet—using the gold standard analysis that scientists require in their research. However, the authors argue that when all seven health indicators are considered together, using one type of statistical analysis and accounting for the animals’ age, sex, and whether they were neutered, one can be confident in the existence of a connection.

There was a suggestion that vegan cats are less prone to obesity than meat-eaters, and possibly as a result, they have a lower chance of developing musculoskeletal problems. As Justin Shotton notes, there is a growing interest among pet owners in alternative diets for their companions.

However, according to the scientist, while many studies are currently underway regarding the impact of veganism on animals, there is still a lack of reliable data reflecting the long-term effects of this diet on cat health. Therefore, pet owners considering a dietary change for their furry friends are best advised to consult their veterinarian.