As many people turn away from meat based diets they may want to have their pets follow them down this path, whether for ecological or animal welfare reasons. However, when it comes to cats this can be dangerous and scientific evidence strongly advises against this practice, even with the use of supplements. Cats are obligate carnivores, a biological classification that underscores their absolute requirement for meat-based nutrition.

Evolutionary Adaptations to Carnivory

All cats, including domesticated cats have evolved specific physiological traits that make them uniquely suited for a carnivorous diet:

1. A short digestive tract optimized for processing animal proteins and fats.
2. Sharp, shearing teeth designed for tearing meat rather than grinding plant matter.
3. Limited production of enzymes necessary for digesting plant-based foods.

These adaptations highlight the cat’s biological need for a meat-based diet and their limited capacity to derive nutrition from any plant sources.

Essential Nutrients from Animal Sources

Several crucial nutrients that cats require are either absent in plant-based foods or present in forms that cats cannot efficiently utilize:

1. Taurine: An essential amino acid vital for heart function, vision, and reproduction.
2. Arachidonic Acid: A fatty acid crucial for inflammation response and skin health.
3. Preformed Vitamin A: Cats cannot convert plant-based beta-carotene into usable vitamin A.
4. Vitamin B12: Essential for nervous system function and overall health.

The Inadequacy of Supplements

It’s crucial to understand that simply adding supplements to a plant-based diet does not adequately address a cat’s nutritional needs. The bioavailability and absorption of nutrients from synthetic supplements often differ significantly from those found naturally in animal tissues. Furthermore, the complex interactions between nutrients in whole foods are not easily replicated by isolated supplements.

Health Risks of Plant-Based Diets for Cats

Feeding cats a vegan or vegetarian diet, even with supplementation, can lead to severe health issues:

1. Urinary tract problems due to altered urine pH.
2. Nutrient deficiencies leading to heart disease, skin problems, and other health issues.
3. Digestive issues and increased risk of obesity and diabetes due to high carbohydrate content.

Conclusion

The scientific consensus is clear: cats require a diet based on animal proteins to thrive. While it may be tempting to project human dietary choices onto our pets, doing so can have serious consequences for feline health. Vegetarian and vegan diets, even when supplemented, fail to meet the complex nutritional needs of cats and can lead to significant health problems. For the well-being of our feline companions, it is essential to provide them with a diet that aligns with their evolutionary and biological needs. The good news is that commercially available cat food is balanced to meet the carnivorous nutritional needs of cats without you having to prepare steaks or chicken daily for your kitty friends. Just look for the AAFCO symbol on the bag or can.

Author: Cheryl Miller, RVT, CVBL, FFCP (Veterinary), VCC

If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss the best nutrition choices for your cat, please call or text us at (843) 966-3362. If you’re a current client, you can also schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Cifranick online, or you can schedule a virtual appointment directly with Cheryl here.

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References

1. PetMD. (2023). Can Cats Be Vegan or Vegetarian? Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/can-cats-be-vegan-or-vegetarian
2. Dodd, S. A. S., et al. (2023). Vegan versus meat-based cat food: Guardian-reported health outcomes. PLOS ONE. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10499249/
3. Knight, A., & Leitsberger, M. (2023). Vegan versus meat-based cat food: Study finds no significant difference in feline health. Phys.org. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2023-09-owners-cats-vegan-diets-healthier.html
4. The Veterinary Nurse. (2023). Vegan diets for felines. Retrieved from https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/content/clinical/vegan-diets-for-felines/
5. Coates, J. (2021). Science Backs the Vegetarian Dog and the Carnivore Cat. PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/dr-coates/2015/august/more-evidence-dogs-can-be-vegetarians-and-cats-cant-33-33138