Help!
Does anyone out there feed their cat a vegan diet? If so, which cat food do you buy? I'd love to switch my 2 cats over so the entire family will then be vegan, but I've only seen unaffordable vegan cat food on the Web, then you have to also pay for shipping. I'm also wondering if your cat(s) are still healthy on the vegan food? I've not heard any successful stories of converting cats to a vegan diet, so I'm looking for more information. I'd love to be a vegan family, all the way down to the kitties!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!! Tia and Mittens thank you too! :)
40 comments:
Hi Candi,
It's been a while since I stopped by your blog. Shame on me! I love love love this picture with Britty and and kitty! :)
I'm sorry to say that I had a roommate a few years back who fed her cat a vegan diet, and that poor cat was never healthy. It was always so skinny and huddling over the heater... I have heard that it can be done in a way that works, but I think it's much easier for dogs than for cats - because dogs are naturally omnivorous, while cats are naturally pure carnivores. That's not great news I'm sure. My little kitty is eating a meaty kibble. It's a difficult decision. I won't pretend that I love feeding him meat - but I also feel uncomfortable making such a big decision on his behalf. I'll be curious to see what you conclusions you reach.
I LOVE that photo! Absolutely beautiful.
I don't feed my cats a vegan diet--I have 4 of them, and I just can't afford the cost of that much vegan food. But I know that Nava Atlas has a vegan cat, and she'd probably be happy to tell you the brand of food she uses if you leave a comment on her blog-- http://blog.vegkitchen.com/ . She says her cat is very healthy.
When I was a kid, I had a book called Peppermint about a fluffy white kitten who falls into a tub of liquid bluing and turns blue. And then wins a pet show or something like that. Your picture reminded me of the book (not that I advocate dying cats blue . . .).
I don't feed my cat a vegan diet, also because of the cost. There is an article in the current issue of vegetarian times about vegan pet food, which seems to come down on the "cats are carnivores" side. I believe there may also be an article in Vegnews about vegan cats which is more hopeful. I think you have to monitor them a lot more closely than dogs, and maybe check their urine for acidity or something like that. I know that's not great information, but if you head over to your local bookstore, you can probably just look for those articles and see what they said.
If you do decide to make your cats vegan, please let us know how it goes. I'm also interested in moving my cat over to a vegan diet.
My cats have been on a vegan diet for a few years. One is chubby and the other is skinny and both are happy, energetic fur balls. I've been feeding them Evolution cat food, and even though paying shipping sucks, when you order the 40 pound bag you gotta admit, that's A LOT of cat food.
Last week, though, I switched them to a non-vegan cat food that's designed for sensitive stomaches (they seem to throw up more often than they should). It seems to have helped. I need to do some research to see what's going on.
Anyway, if you put your cats on a vegan diet, be absolutely sure you're feeding them a food that provides them with everything they need - cats have very specific nutritional requirements.
I really wouldn't feed my cats a vegan diet. It is my choice to live a vegan lifestyle, and I don't believe in forcing that onto them. Naturally, they are true carnivores, and will never thrive on a vegan diet. That is cruel, to me.
This is a topic that I find really, really interesting. Through lots of reading and researching and soul searching, I am certain that humans can definitely be vegan (and IMO are meant to be) but dogs and cats (and many other animals) not so much. Although I believe that you could do it, to me it seems the same as asking a lion to go veg or a lizard to not eat crickets/bugs....
Just as humans were "made" without the tools to be hunters/meat eaters, certain species were given those tools and for a specific purpose as they truly are meant to be carnivores.
Although I understand the thoughts behind it and have certainly thought about it myself. I don't feel any less of a vegan who is trying to live my life in a compassionate way by allowing my pets to eat as they were intended to. However, I think the best thing we can do is to wisely choose products that do not source their ingredients from producers using cruel/inhumane methods.
Thanks for bringing up a great topic, I'm interested to hear other poeple's comments/ideas about this as well.
Oh my gosh, that kitten is so cute!
We feed our kitties an all natural meat kibble after coming to the conclusion that all the vegan brands were made from super processed ingredients. Ultimately I felt it was healthier to give my cats a food made from whole ingredients despite any feelings I have in regard to my own personal diet. It's not necessarily an easy thing to do, but it's working for us right now.
Hope you figure out something that works for you!
I'm sorry, but are you out of your mind?? Cat's are carnivore animals! =/ I agree..that's just cruelty.
I would tend to agree with Marisa. When you accept an animal into your home, you have to respect it and take responsibility for its well being.
While some cats are ok on a vegan diet, it's not recommended by vets at all. Cats are natural carnivores and need certain nutrients found in meat. While i deeply respect your decision to want to raise them vegan, you have to understand that not all animals are wired to be plant eaters.
Humans can adapt what we eat because, luckily, our bodies have an amazing ability to absorb nutrients from a variety of foods, plant or animal.
Cats however are not so lucky, their digestive systems are much more simple than ours, and therefore they have less adaptability.
Also, if your cat has some kind of special condition or disease (god forbid, but it happens) a vegan diet can deteriorate or kill it.
For more information on, i've found that Cat Nutrition Org is superb. Now this site is all for a raw food cat diet, which is what i'm switching to and has been good so far, so just make note of that.
I think the assumption that feeding a cat a vegan diet = cruelty and negligence is harsher than the confines of reality would require. I plan to switch my cats to a vegan diet soon if possible, and will be monitoring their health and urinary pH very carefully for the rest of their lives to make sure that the choice I'm making for them is right for them, not just for me. Most meat-based cat foods are made mainly of grains, and taurine and other "meat" ingredients are added in after processing because the cooking removes it from the meat... so the taurine in the vegan food and the meat food are the same synthetic taurine.
I think the much more common practice of feeding cats an all-dry food diet is more negligent, more harmful to cats, and much more widespread than vegan diets. Some cats don't thrive on vegan diets for physiologic reasons or their dislike for the vegan foods, but it's presumptuous and judgemental to decree vegan-fed cats 'abused' by their owners without taking into account the actual actions of the owner.
Anyway, cats can definitely be fed a semi-vegan diet (meat-based food mixed with vegan food). Most commercial cat foods fall into that category already.
Thank you for all the comments and information on this topic of vegan cat food! I have lots of research to do!
I figured some people would play the "that's cruel" card, but I cannot see how I am being cruel by researching and asking others about their experience. Besides, I'm pretty tired of people telling me that MY being vegan is "not right" and also my daughter choosing to be vegan is cruel. That is just plain ignorant.
Thank you for the information and telling me about your experiences here. My kitties eat an all natural meat kibble because I am not certain about the vegan cat food yet. I will keep researching and asking around!
Thank you!!!!
Hi Candi *kiss*
What is food? It's a mixture of compounds and chemicals that, when processed in the body, release energy and other constituants that are required for that lifeform to survive.
In scientific terms, these chemicals are absolute ie they exist in their true nature regardless of their source. Refined gold from the Welsh mountains is the same as gold found in South Africa. Therefore, Iron from kale is the same as Iron from Iron ore that is processed in processing plant in Maryland. It's just a pile of chemicals and the body cannot differentiate between either. Sure, there may be impurities in there that affect the constituent parts, but the core chemicals are identical.
I have heard the farts that comes from ignorant mouths for many years now, saying that vegetable protein is inferior to muscle protein. I bet you all have too. Calcium from spinach is inferior to calcium sourced from the mammary glands of cows, sheep or goats... hmmmm, all mouth farts again.
So, it has been said that feeding cats non-animal sourced food is cruel. This is so ignorant. All a cat need is the pile of chemicals and minerals that their bodies need. As long as it is in a format that its body can accept and process (ie will Mittens eat the stuff and not sulk along with her body thriving), I cannot understand the objections.
It is cruel to feed a dog carrots every day. Likewise, it is cruel to feed a dog pigs' ears every day. This is because both are a poor nutritional balance - it has nothing to do with its origin. Feeing Mittens and Tia 'Cheapo-Mart' Kat-Krap-Kibbles full of eyeholes, ear-holes, bum-holes and other mechanically derived slush from the carcasses of ripped up animals is just as un-balanced nutritionally. Yet, the nay-sayers in our ranks would disagree... all they are concerned about is the nature of the food's source.
The issue that my beautiful Candi is addressing, is whether non-animal sourced food will provide the chemicals that her cats need to thrive. If it does, then her pussycats' metabolism will not care one jot whether their mouthful of breakfast was once a chicken's brain or a soya bean. What the issue is, refers to the additional baggage of food. Animal flesh contains nasty fats for example, whilst snowpeas contain antioxidants. It comes as a package of pros and cons based around *identical* core chemicals. Vegans choose their path but the fact remains that it would be cruel *not* to resource any food origins.
Asking questions is not cruelty. Neither is feeding our companion animals a balanced and nutritionally sound diet.
Hey, ignorant people... stop mouth farting and do some research!
<3 ILY
Hey Candi!
such kittie cuteness overload!
and you're questions are far from cruel. i totally applaud your quest to create a vegan household all the way thru to it's non-human inhabitants.
sadly, as a wildlife rehabber who has worked with big cats (cougars, bobcats) and who has six furry felines of her own, I have to say proceed with caution when trying to eliminate meat proteins from their diet.
with felines, it's not just proteins but types of proteins (they're not all created equal...sure, equal enough for the human physiology, but not so much for our feline counterparts) and even the pH of their diets that is very, very important to their good health. i've heard, but don't know for fact, that it can be done, but it requires painstaking care in adding certain vitamins and minerals into that already expensive food. also, some kitties' bodies may just not be able to make the adjustment. with cats, kidney, urinary, and liver functions are some things not to be messed with and, from what I do know, tinkering with what is naturally a part of their diet can be very tricky business.
again, i totally understand your desire to eliminate suffering in any way that you can...but i whole-heartedly believe in giving my feline lovelies what I know they want and their little bodies need when it comes to food. the best, i think, one can do is try and find a brand of food that is as concientious as possible. yes, it seems horrific that some animals will suffer to feed them in some way, but i think of it this way...if my kitties were able to make the choice for themselves? that bird or mouse or lizard they so admire out the windows? wouldn't stand a chance. it's who they are, it's how they're wired, and for me? I'm just glad I can care for them and provide for them in a world that treats cats like a disposable species.
i have one kitty who is surviving liver cancer, another who had a mysterious kidney failure, and yet another who has to be on special pH food to avoid crystals in his urine forming and killing him. i am no stranger to just how fragile their little bodies can be (i seem to always be found by the 'problem children' of the feline world ;).
i urge you to continue your research but also to confide in a vet you can trust and see what they say. i am fortunate to have an amazing vet who specializes only in cats. i actually see her monday. if you like, I will ask her her opinion and of any resources that can be passed along to you. just lemme know.
tree-hugger@embarqmail.com
<3
sorry, the biologist in me just can't stop thinking about this. hehe.
i just want to point out that while dogs are omnivores, cats are true carnivores. they prey, in nature, on the species who make proteins they can't make for themselves. their internal chemical pathways truly rely on specific needs that I don't think, in today's world of pet foods, are always adquately met.
keep in mind, like i said, i have six kitties who have always been my children. there is nothing i woulnd't do for them. this is not to say that feeding them meat based food goes beyond my ethics. i am a vegan because i CAN be, and i can do so quite healthfully. nothing i have ever read or experienced has ever caused me to believe that they share that ability.
the cold hard truth is that there are carnivores in the world. not every species can escape the food chain. no one would expect a lion to be able to survive without it's natural prey. as a feline, our housemates are really no different, to me. i honestly believe they are who they are and we can only do right by them by giving them what they need. i wish i could pass on some eco-concious food brands, but sadly, all my kids are on special diet foods they need. for their health i feed them what i know keeps them healthy and able to spend many happy years in my care.
i hope this helps. i hope it doesn't come off as preachy. i just wanted to offer my opinion as one true lover of kitties to another.
good luck with your research!
Candi, DEFINITELY pick up the March issue of Vegetarian Times magazine - there is an article on this issue of whether or not to feed cats a vegan diet. Cats are carnivores, and can suffer major detriments to their health if they follow a vegan diet (sad, but true).
I have also pondered and researched this topic. I am in the process of switching my dog to a vegan diet and it's going great. I just don't think I could switch my cats. I am too worried that they would not thrive and be healthy. I am changing to a more natural food that will be better for them as an alternative.
We feed Bailey Evolution. I buy it online from the manufacturer in the 40 pound bag and it lasts about 6 months (we also give her cooked veggies every night (whatever we happen to be eating) just because she loves them so much). Honestly, if you buy it in the large bag, the cost isn't that much more than if you bought another premium brand food. She's been eating it for years now and is very healthy. She sees the vet for a check up every year and always gets a clean bill of health. She also seems to enjoy the taste of it.
Some cats, for whatever reason, don't thrive on vegan food. If you give it a try and your cat doesn't do well with it then I don't think you should try to force them to stick with it. But if you give it a try and it works out, what harm is done?
I don't feel I have the right to place a higher value on Bailey's life than on a cow or a chicken. And really, in the "wild" Bailey most certainly would not be hunting cows or chicken or deep sea diving for tuna. I don't see how feeding her beef kibble which has been overly processed is more natural than a vegan food that has the same nutrients and amount of protein/carbs, etc.
I believe Urban Vegan posted a similar question a while back on her blog and received a lot of responses. You may be able to find it if you do a keyword search. Good luck with your decision.
I just read an article in the most recent issue of Vegetarian Times (March 08) that suggests that veganism is not for cats. They referenced several studies claiming that cats are natural carnivores for quite a few reasons.
I've read that it's easier to turn female cats vegan than it is for males. There is something in meat that keeps them healthy and free from degenerative diseases. Even if you do have a male cat, it's okay to feed them mostly vegan food as long as they get their wet meat food once a day. It's tough. That's why I just go organic. That'll at least assure me that the poor animals weren't shot with various chemicals.
Hi Candi!
We feed our cats non-vegan food. I've seen close-up how sensitive and particular cat's nutritional needs are, and I just don't want to mess with it. I do believe that cats are natural carnivores, and wouldn't want to experiment on them with vegan food.
I miss you and visiting your blog!
I think as you must really respect animals in some form because you eat a vegan diet, that you should also respect that certain animals require certain foods. Cats are carnivores. They require meat in their diet to live a healthy, fruitful life.
I had a cat, too, and once considered feeding him a vegetarian diet because I was very much disturbed by what the animals must have gone through that provided his food.
But for the sake of my cat and his health, I chose to feed him healthy food, which meant meat was involved.
I no longer have him any more, and I don't think I'll ever get another pet that requires meat in it's diet again. This saves me from the battle of making sure my loved pet stays healthy and happy but disagreeing with the practice of slaughtering animals for food and the horrible conditions those animals live in in those farms.
Good luck to you - hope you keep your kitty's health and happiness first and foremost. If he lived in the wild, and it were up to him to feed himself, you can bet meat would be on his menu.
Cats in the wild eat no vegetables whatsoever (except chewing on grass) - there are nutrients they need that can only be synthesized within their own bodies - and only from raw meat. I'm vegan and had to switch my cats to raw meat last year after one became diabetic. Cats' digestive systems are made for meat and their pancreases cannot handle grains and vegetables, after years of wear and tear this results in diabetes.
Please consider carefully.
The cruelty comments are way out of line, imho.
I love this part of Vivacious Vegan's comment:
"And really, in the "wild" Bailey most certainly would not be hunting cows or chicken or deep sea diving for tuna. "
I think we should keep that in mind when playing the "cats are natural carnivores" card. Commercial cat food is not natural. We engineer their diet, no matter what we do.
Candi, several people who researched this already told me that taurine is a must for cats and I know people who feed their cat vegan kibble and add taurine supplements. The cats are well and happy and have been for years.
You are a great person for asking questions instead of just going with what everybody else does. Whoever brings out the cruelty argument against you is just plain ignorant of who you are.
<3
umm....cutest cat ever!! Does Mittens shed a lot?
We have three kitty's that have been on vegan diets their whole lives and are very healthy and happy! We buy Evolution Vegan Cat Food online, and it's not too expensive. We have also tried making our own cat food from mixes you can buy, which was less expensive but time consuming, messy, and smelly. Also, we only feed our cats the dry Evolution Cat Food, the wet food was not apealing to them at all.
love the blog, keep ‘em coming! if you’re ever not in the mood to cook, i found a cool company that you should look up…vegin’ out, they’re called. They deliver a week of vegan meals…I know they deliver to California, I’m not sure about anywhere else, but I thought you might wanna check them out…www.veginout.com. have a good one!
B.
I've never been able to find an affordable vegan cat food, much less one that Miss Priss did not turn her nose up at. I've tried all sorts of vegetarian and organic brands to mild success but she won't go near anything vegan. Good luck in your search and let us know if you find anything!
As I'm sure you've been told already, cats are true carnivores which means that despite what some vegans say, they shouldn't be fed a vegan diet.
But your picture is just so adorable! *melts*
Hi again!
Just wanted to pass on this information ...
Boston Magazine recently published an article all about us this month - here is the link:
Oh Soy Tasty!
If you have a few minutes to spare, could do us a huge favor and read the article and comment at the bottom of the page? We're very excited about getting such great press, especially from a magazine of this caliber. If everyone drops by and leaves a quick comment, soon there will be no doubt in any publisher's mind: YES, readers absolutely do want to know about vegan happenings and developments. Please don't hesitate to repost the article on your blog and spread the world!
Thanks!
Emily @ Wheeler's Frozen Desserts
Hi Candi - beautiful photo. I'm a fellow vegan with seven kitties - there's nothing I wouldn't do for my babies. I applaud you for seeking out advice before doing anything that might put your cherished friend at risk. When I looked into this issue myself a ways back I quickly learned that, as others have stated here, cats are true carnivores and we shouldn't restrict them to a vegan diet. A close friend of mine, also a vegan, and a naturopath, takes this information regarding the needs of her kitties' diet a step further and prepares fresh organic meat for them on a daily basis. I would go this route myself but the volume I'd require daily makes the cost prohibitive for me. Instead I feed my guys the best food I can afford and ensure that the ingredients include human grade meat and no meat byproducts. Best wishes to your family :)
Thank you for all the help everyone!
As of now, I am feeding my kitties a meat kibble that has no factory-farmed animals, no by-products, no genetically modified ingredients, all organic ingredients... I still feel guilty feeding them meat, but I'm not really confident enough to try out vegan food on my cats. I feel like I'd be experimenting on them and not really knowing the damage, if any. I found powders and fillers to add to a vegan cat's diet, but I cannot afford to order all this stuff online and still feel nervous about their health.
I thank you all for the help, and I'm not done being curious about this topic. I'm not done researching. Just for now, I'm going to stick to what we're doing and hope it's the best for my two kitties!
Thank you all again SO much for the information and ideas!!!!!
I love the comment who says it's cruel to feed cats a vegan diet (even a balanced AAFCO-certified and supplemented one) and goes on to say that he feeds his cat a raw meat diet, one universally condemned by veterinarians and which is not nutritionally complete--muscle meat does not contain sufficient nutrition for cats, and raw meat can expose cats to all kinds of parasites and bacteria including zoonoses that can make you sick yourself even if it doesn't sicken your cat.
I say, if you have a female cat, go for it, just watch her carefully. If you have a male cat, why not buy a high quality vegan cat food like AMI Cat and try mixing it with his regular diet? If they enjoy eating it, it's probably fine to feed even a male cat up to 75% vegan cat food. Monitoring urine pH in male cats is always a good idea; crystals are a very common problem even in cats fed conventional diets.
Again use common sense and change the diet if the cat isn't eating enough, is vomiting excessively or develops problems. I raised a male kitten on a diet that was approximately 50% vegan. He was FeLV positive and ended up dying of untreatable cancer related to his infection and not to his diet. I now have a female cat which I intend to try introducing to vegan food.
Don't forget, what you feed your cat is your responsibility. The animals slaughtered for cat food are just as important, just as unique individuals as your cat. I try to focus on fish and to a lesser extent chicken when I have to buy meat food for my cats, as opposed to chicken and beef, for this reason. Also, the "whole meat" or "human grade" ingredients kill more animals than the byproduct type ingredients, which are residue of animals killed for human trade.
So do what you have to for your cat, but don't let it be an excuse. I think it is a shame there are not more options more widely available and more research on vegetarian cat foods. It should not be difficult to develop a safe vegetarian substitute. There is nothing particularly "natural" about the food industry in general, especially the pet food industry. And it is certainly not "cruel" to be concerned about the consequences of buying meat.
Candi's Jamie said..."All a cat need is the pile of chemicals and minerals that their bodies need"
hmmmm. let's put a pile of chemicals and minerals as well as a live mouse and see which one a cat would prefer to eat. why not let the cat decide what is best for it? cat's are quite smart.
(for the record, I would rather eat a mouse than a pile of chemicals, too!)
"owning" a cat is cruelty to animals.
:D Kisses for "warren".
Someone point out to him the concept of molecular biology and carbon-based life. It's only ghosts and Star Trek aliens that are made out of light, dreams and magic :D
However, perhaps we shouldn't as maybe he really does think that little boys are made of puppy-dog tails after all....
Just a question..are your cats restricted to indoor living? If not, you may be thwarted in your desire to have vegan kitties. A neighbor, who had easily made vegetarians out of her dogs, tried to do the same for her cat...Mongo was out the door, snacking on birds and chipmunks by the second day. She finally decided that since it was important to her to have a vegan family, she would give Mongo to her brother and that worked out very well for everyone.
Good luck with your research!
wow Candi! your post is hot! :)
First of all, that little cat is such a cutie! I'm also debating a lot on vegan food..
In the meantime.. do you know.. Milton likes hummus! so adorable!
xxx, Valentina
I know that you have to be careful with the Cats PH levels, since they are very sensitive. If the PH levels are off they can get stones in their urinary tract which, if not caught early, can lead to very expensive surgery. It is VERY VERY common in cats. Hydration is very important to keeping their PH levels in check. But, in regards to the food, my cat is on a special (meat)Vet food since he is now a survivor of the stones, which we caught early and treated with antibiotics.
Good Luck! I hope this helps.
I use this stuff, and my dogs & cat eat this its never been recalled, its fine for animals who are sensitive (all of my animals normally would need more pricey special food from the vet, so I save me some cash!)
Pet Promise, http://www.petpromiseinc.com/
I get this item from the health food store for about $7.99 for a large bag of the cat food and thats about average price. Its yes vegan, but none of my animals are sick and cold. They all are quite healthy.
also I use this stuff, http://www.silica-gel.com/en/productshow.asp?pid=41
for her kitty box, earth friendly and clean and safe for us, even my kids! And I get it at walmart for about $3.00 I use with a small cat 2 bags a month in a medium size cat box. I never smell stuff tell its time to change the box. I do mine every month.
Also all our animal drink a bowl of water a day per animal.
I know this is off-topic, but as a fellow vegan; it's an issue I feel compelled to bring up when vegans discuss their wonderful cats and kittens. Please, please, please keep your beautiful cats indoors! Wild birds are valuable and they do not deserve to be eaten by predators that are not actually wild animals (unlike the wild birds, companion cats have the benefit of warm homes, vet care, and regular meals.) Please educate yourselves about this issue.
Hi,
If you feed cats a vegan diet, they can go blind. I'm sorry sweety, but they have to eat meat. It's just the way God made them.
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