Feb
23
Vegan cats
Gypsy the Queen
I am obviously an animal lover. I currently have 6 cats that live with me. Every one of them came to me by way of rescuing. I want them to have the best possible life and I struggle with what to feed them. I’ve read that cats cannot be vegan and I’ve read that cats can. I supplement my cat’s diets with canned tuna and salmon. I struggle with this each and every time I do it. I would prefer my cats to be vegan but want the best for them.
I came across this website, www.vegancats.com, when searching for more answers. I’m not advertising or anything for them mind you. It was an interesting read so I thought that I’d pass it to you.
Have any of you been thinking about your cats being vegan? Does anyone have a vegan cat? Know a vegan cat? What do you think? Can cats be vegan and still be healthy? Any advice?
[Update: 2009: I no longer supplement my cats diets with canned tuna and salmon.]
Furthermore, what kind of protein a cat eats in nature is irrelevant. They certainly don’t go around eating plants in nature.
And actually, I believe a lion or a tiger probably would eat a cow if given a chance. The domesticated cat wouldn’t, but only because they are too small to take one down. If they were big enough, bet your bottom dollar they would.
They definitely enjoy birds and mice, though. Which, as you know, is meat. I hope none of you have outdoor cats. They probably survive because they’re sneaking mice when you let them out. I can’t say I’d blame them. I would if I were a vegan cat. I’d probably find a new home that feeds me meat.
All these people bringing up what’s “in” commercial pet food… you DO realize there ARE options available that don’t get their meat from euthanized pets, right? It’s all about shopping around. You don’t want to shop around for quality food… so instead, you feed your CARNIVORE a diet that isn’t species appropriate? Being a vegan/vegetarian, would YOU like it if someone forced you to eat MEAT? No, right? Because you survive off a vegan/vegetarian diet and being a human, made the conscious choice to do so. Your cat should survive off a MEAT based diet and cannot make the conscious choice to not do so. It’s funny that one person mentioned us talking about nutrition that makes no sense. Of course it doesn’t to you. If you actually knew a lick about the cats digestive track, you wouldn’t feed your cat vegan.
First of all, cats need taurine. Yes, many cat food brands use synthetic stuff. But that isn’t healthy, either! (Hence why I mentioned high quality food up there ^ ) Cats, also, don’t make ANY use of fake proteins (soy, corn, any of it) as their digestive track is not made to produce it. (Remember science class in middle school, when you learned about the digestive track of a carnivore… yes, theirs IS different from ours) So, basically, feed your cat all the soy you want, he’s not getting the protein he needs. I don’t agree with a dog being fed vegan, but at least dogs are opportunistic carnivores (meaning they’ll eat plant based food if they need to, even in the wild). Cats are obligate carnivores. Think back to that science class: that means they NEED meat. Your cat lacks a certain enzymatic path that makes him unable to even utilize plant based proteins. Cats cannot make the protein themselves. In short, they NEED meat. Otherwise, they will die young (please know, ten is VERY young for a cat. cats should live to at least 16 if kept inside and healthy, many of them make it to 20), will have health problems that you “never understand” (but can really be linked back to a vegan diet), and may even go BLIND. All because you neglect them their PROPER diet. A cat “surviving” is not proof that a diet is working. A cat could “survive” on table scraps (I’ve seen many of them do so), would you agree that the diet is healthy? Of course not. THRIVING is an indicator of a good diet. And I have not seen ONE vegan fed cat (or vegetarian, for that matter) that THRIVES. Many owners claim they do, but until you see my meat fed cat, you probably don’t know what “thriving is”. (Hint: It’s not just being alive)
Someone who TRULY loves animals would not force an improper diet on a carnivore. That would be like taking a lion and feeding him lettuce. (Yes, that is a good example as cats haven’t been domesticated long at all) If you want a vegan pet, may I suggest a guinea pig or a rabbit? They’re so vegan they even eat hay!
I realize this is an old blog, but I came across it and HAD to say something. Never know when someone considering a vegan diet will stumble along.
well, if you really want to be healthy, i believe that veggan foods are the best `*:
Your cats are not consenting to what you are feeding them either, and most people feed their cats a swill of factory farm by-products and other junk. The cats to whom I belong eat nutritionally complete organic vegan food using Vegepet supplements, and I know exactly what’s in it because I make it from scratch. I believe that this is the most responsible and loving choice all the way around.
The taurine in meat-based pet foods is synthetic. The same taurine is in my cats’ vegan supplements, which I use to make their food, which they love. They have been vegan for years and they are thriving.
I wrote a blog on vegan cats have done a lot of research and take on most of the issues concerns and philosophical points brought up here in detail on my site. I have tried to make my cats vegan but with not full success though I have reasons (not good ones) for not trying harder. I do believe it’s perfectly possible and know people who have done it for years. The one vegan cat food that mine do love is “Ami Cat” made in Italy but sold in the u.s. They love it and don’t get sick of it, but wet vegan food I have not found one they will eat. Click on my name to get to my blog and then click on the vegan cats blog.
Yeah, because in NATURE, cats eat COWS, right???
*rolls eyes*
Did you know a lot of the cat and dog food you buy contains “protein” from other euthanized cats and dogs? That sounds real “natural” too.
*double roll*
Michelle Rivera (The Vegan Grandmother on PETA Prime) explains it in her recently published book, The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book.
Taurine is an amino acid that is only produced by animals. A synthetic taurine substitute is used in energy drinks and contact lens solution. Humans can synthesize the artificial compound but cats cannot. The absence of taurnie in a cat’s diet causes deterioration of the retina and can lead to irreversible blindness. Lack of taurine also causes hair loss, tooth decay and heart problems for cats. The Association of American Feed Control Officials requires natural taurine to be added to all cat food products, wet and dry.
I’ve been a vegan for 25 years, and healthy.
My two dogs lived vegan for 15 years and were healthy.
My cat has been vegan for 10 years. (Mostly Evolution and Ami).
All my pets are/were quite happy with their diets. Would they prefer to eat meat? Probably. Would my dogs have wanted to eat cat/horse/human shit regularly? Yes. Does this indicate a nutritional deficiency? No, it’s natural to animals. At the same time, would I prefer to live on a diet of pumpkin pie and ice cream? Yes, but it’s not healthy.
1. No pet can be said to choose its diet, unless it’s an outdoor cat. Even then, living in/near a human setting cannot be said to replicate it’s “natural” existence. Of course, domestic cats no longer have a natural niche.
2. Those suggesting free range flesh in order not to support the meat industry confuse me. I’m against KILLING animals. Animals who are treated well during their life, but are then killed for food are just as dead as factory farmed animals.
3. In short – cats and dogs can be quite happy and healthy as vegans. This allows their owners to maintain their perfectly rational philosophy while keeping pets. Vegans tend to really care about animals, and make good owners. And they’re more likely to take on shelter pets that would otherwise be killed.
I don’t understand the hostile tone apparent in some of the posts above. Vegan pet owners generally love their animals, and want to do right by them. They’re not ‘forcing’ pets to eat vegan food any more than non-vegans ‘force’ their pets to eat meat.
I’m vegan and so are both of my rescue cats. I got them when they were stray kittens and they have been eating Vegan Pet Cat Food their whole lives. They are very happy and healthy girls :)
http://www.veganpet.com.au/
I’m no vegan, but have been vegetarian for just over 3 months. I’m struggling with the idea of why you vegetarians/vegans feel it’s right to force a pet (whom cannot make a choice on its own) to eat a certain way just because you do. It might work for some of you, but how long did it take to get your cat/dog to accept this lifestyle? You can’t just start feeding an animal this way and expect them to accept it immediately. Maybe long-term it would work, but short-term? Honestly, I feel it’s blatant animal-abuse, forcing them to eat food that is uncharacteristic to their diet.
Have some respect for your pet, for God’s sake!
Unlike with dogs, there is no scientific evidence that can show that cats can have a healthy existence w/o meat. Please read this: http://www.animalvoices.ca/node/77
Many cats have died as a result of eating Evolution food.
Me = vegan
My cats = organic cat food without by-products and some fish every now and again.
But the funny thing? My one cat hounds me for tofurkey and the like. I feed her little tastes and laugh because these faux meats even trick her!
The funnier thing? Her cat brother LOVES LOVES LOVES mangoes, raspberries, tofu and rice. I was eating a mango popsicle the other day and took a break, only to look over to see him licking it. I think it’s a nice behavior to encourage – letting my kitties try my vegan food. :)
I’m tired of people saying cats “cannot” be vegetarian or vegan and when you ask why, they talk in vague terms of nutrients that they try to blab about, without researching, and INSIST, do not come from vegan sources. Everything does. Even taurine and vegetarian sources are far superior. No one can ever say what mystical nutrient only comes from meat. The reason is that a full panel of everything is available from vegan sources.
C’mon, really? Humans are omnivores, and they can make the conscious decision to eat a vegan or vegetarian diet. Maybe you do it for health reasons or because you feel guilty about contributing to the pain and suffering of animals.
But your cat is a true CARNIVORE (who like to chew on grass every time they go outside, and then puke on my carpet) and wants to eat meat. Your cat is not concerned about the feelings of other animals, because it wants to eat them. Cats require a high protein diet which includes taurine.
If you don’t want to support THE meat industry, buy free range meat and feed that to your cat. I’m not 100% sure on this, but you may be able to find a high quality cat food made with organic ingredients – this may or may not mean the meat in the food came from free ranging farms, you’d have to find this out.
And if you are not willing to feed a carnivore meat, then maybe you shouldn’t own a cat. You people wouldn’t support someone feeding a herbivore meat, would you?
If you’ll excuse me now, I have to go chop up some celery and radishes for my piranhas…
Check out Uncle Irving. I’m not sure if he’s vegan, but he loves his greens!
http://uncleirving.wordpress.com/
I researched what is in commercially prepared pet food and it is horrifying. Did a post on vegan cats and took a poll on my blog. This is a difficult subject. I bought some VegeCat and tried the homemade route, so I would at least know what I was feeding my feline friend. She turned up her nose at it. Right now I am getting fish and chicken scraps from my neighbors, food that would otherwise be thrown away, to augment her diet. But I must admit, I still do not know what is ethical. I do NOT want to support the slaughter industry in any way, shape, or form. But my cat is getting old and unlikely to change. What is a vegan to do?
Please tell me what vegan diet you are feeding your cats, since you are a veterinarian and know the nutrients necessary for a cats well being, I would trust what you are feeing them. I have three cats, one is 21 and the other two are 14 years old.
Many thanks,
Ella
My cats are carnivores and I feed them accordingly. They cannot consent to a vegan diet, so I can’t force it on them. I control where they live and who they live with already – more than enough.
Being vegan myself, I would not feed my animals a vegan diet. After working at a specialty animal hospital I’ve seen a few animals extremely ill due to their owners feeding them a vegan diet. Whether it was a balanced diet I do not know, but if an animal is naturally a carnivore I do not believe its right to do this. It would be different if they had the choice and the ability to make the decision on their own, but alas.. they do not! But I have an idea! It does bother me about what is in pet food these days, so how about free-range pet food. Is it already being made I wonder..?
I have 3 vegans cats that I feed “Vegan Pet”.
Yes cats can be vegan but it is very important to give them commercially produced vegan cat food to ensure that their diet is nutritionally balanced.
Yes, it does sound absurd to feed an animal a vegan diet when they are carnivore by nature.
And somehow it comes under ‘natural’ to feed a cat a ground up horse from a can.
And look at what we feed the cows raised for meat consumption. Somehow it’s ok to feed a cow ground up dead animals even though a cow is strictly a herbivore.
Why the double standard?
Deciding not to feed your cat the usual catfood is not about making your cat conform to your own vegan diet beliefs, but about not supporting the meat industry – which in nature, your cat wouldn’t be supporting anyway.
Even though cats are true carnivores, some of them can be maintained in good health on a vegan diet. As an aside, I wanted to correct a mistake in the previous post regarding dogs. Dogs are true omnivores, not carnivores, and can very easily maintain good health on a vegan diet. I have a vegan cat (9 years old, no health issues) and a vegan dog (7 years old, no health issues). I am also vegan, and a veterinarian in practice for over 20 years.
Absurd. Feline digestive system like the dog’s, is made to handle meat-based diet.
Of course a cat does not fish in nature, as someone ridiculously, needlessly pointed out above, but they do hunt and scavenge. Most cats’ diet in nature would consist of bugs, rodents, some dirt and soil-related nutrients, as well as any plants they knew to be safe.
I applaud you as humans making a choice to be vegans. But I find you to be hypocrites for forcing a lifestyle change on an animal who has no concept of such a change. If you don’t want to feed your pets a proper diet then perhaps you should consider something other than that cats or dogs for your pets.
I have dealing with the same issue. I decided at one point to try to at least mix the food, half vegan/half meat based, so the meat consumption would at least be cut in half.
That plan did not work too well. My cat would not touch the food. Even meat based food she doesn’t like I could always get her to eat by mixing it with food she does. But, the veg. kind I bought she literally picked around every kibble and only ate the stuff she liked. Now that took effort for her to pick around.
Most people argue about the issue of taurine being necessary in a cats diet, which it is, but even in meat based cat foods the taurine is not supplied to them from the meat in the food. It is added in as an additional supplement, otherwise even the meat based ones would be lacking.
I hope you let us know your progress!
Some of us have figured out how to have cats that are vegan and healthy, you know. No, it’s not ideal for EVERY cat, but saying that somehow it’s worse than feeding your cat a pack of Friskies that are far from being actual meat is what people need to get past. Cats can be vegan and healthy if DONE RIGHT, but most people dismiss it as impossible and quit before they even begin to do the research. My kitties are 6 and 11, both vegan since their first year, no health problems of any sort and I don’t put money back into the meat industry. If you want to give your cats meat, that’s your decision, but don’t get too criticizing of others who have succeeded just because you’re afraid to try it.
As the saying goes, the only “natural” food for cats is a whole dead mouse in a can. Cat’s don’t eat fish in nature (unless they live near water and eat a dead one that winds up on shore), and I’d like to see any evidence of a cat eating a cow in nature. Vegan food is no less natural, can have all the nutrients you find in non-vegan food, and be just as healthy as any other option.
Rant over!
that is some seriously F$^%ed up shit!
the cat hasn’t made a concious decision to be vegan, you have.
Its not healthy or fair to the cat.
if you can’t afford fee range meat (if factory farming is your wedge) or cant handle the dead – dont have a cat.
seriously!
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Latest blog post: balance diet information
Well, we supplement with salmon as I said and I feel so guilty every time. We use a kibble the rest of the time. We used to make them chicken and rice but I couldn’t bear to cook a chicken now so that’s out. I’m going to continue to research…let me know how it fares for you two :)
We’ve been working on this for a long time also. The biggest concern is having taurine in their diet. We are unable to find it made synthetic, although I know it does exist.
They already munch on the vegan dinner that Natalie makes for our dog, Jersey, so I think she will know what to cook for them.
That would cover the wet food, but we’d be left without any dry food. We feed our cats both. We like them to eat dry food to keep their teeth and gums healthy, so I couldn’t keep them without it.
Let us know if you make any progress. I’ll show the site you posted to Natalie when I get the chance.