Cats are known for their carnivorous nature, but a new study suggests that they may also benefit from a vegan diet. The study, led by Professor Andrew Knight of the University of Winchester, surveyed 1,369 cat owners, about 9% of whom reported feeding their cat a plant-based diet. The results showed that vegan cats had fewer health problems and needed less medication than meat-eating cats.
What do cats need from their diet?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they need certain nutrients that are only found naturally in animal products, such as taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid. These nutrients are essential for their vision, heart function, skin health, and immune system. Without them, cats can develop serious and potentially fatal conditions.
However, these nutrients can also be obtained from synthetic sources or specific plants and added to vegan cat food as supplements. Professor Knight said that there is no scientific reason why cats cannot get all the necessary nutrients from plant additives. He added that meat-based cat food also has to be supplemented sometimes because the nutrients can be destroyed during processing.
How does vegan diet affect cat health?
The study, published in the journal Plos One, asked the cat owners about 22 specific health disorders, such as dental disease, urinary tract infection, diabetes, and obesity. The study found that 42% of owners whose cats ate a meat-based diet reported at least one disorder, compared with 37% of owners of cats on vegan diets. Overall, the vegan cats scored better on all health indicators, although these differences were not statistically significant.
The study also found that vegan cats had fewer visits to the vet and less medication use than meat-eating cats. The owners also said that their vet would be more likely to describe their cat as healthy if they fed them a vegan diet.
The researchers could not rule out the possibility that some of the vegan cats obtained meat from other sources, such as hunting or scavenging. However, they said that this was unlikely to influence the findings, as most of the vegan cats were indoor cats.
What are the implications of the study?
The study provides reassurance to a growing number of cat owners who are considering alternative diets for their pets, either for ethical or environmental reasons. Pet food production has a significant environmental impact and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and land use. A 2017 study estimated that meat-based cat and dog food releases the equivalent of 45 to 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year in the US alone.
However, the study also has some limitations and challenges. The sample size was relatively small and the data was based on self-reported surveys, which may introduce bias or error. The study did not measure the actual nutrient intake or blood levels of the cats, nor did it follow them for a long period of time. Therefore, more rigorous and controlled studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of vegan diets for cats.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has previously warned against placing pets on alternative diets without consulting a vet first. The BVA said that it was reviewing its advice in light of the new research. Justine Shotton, the BVA’s senior vice-president, said that there is increasing interest among pet owners around alternative diets for pets and that there is a lot of ongoing research into the impacts of vegan diets in particular. However, she also said that there has been a lack of robust data mapping the health consequences of this diet over time.