Can a Vegan Diet Really Be Healthy for Your Cat?

With the popularity of plant based diets, it's not surprising that pet food manufacturers are starting to offer options for our pets. Since cats are obligate carnivores, how can this be an appropriate option for them? I asked Terri Grow, certified feline nutrition expert, her thoughts on the subject.

My cat Josh trying broccoli. He did not like it.

Feeding cats an appropriate diet is a passion for me. Feline nutrition is something I think about a lot, not only with my own clowder of 5 cats, but for my clients. The pet food industry makes it really challenging for pet owners to evaluate what's in their pet's food. The packaging and marketing is highly impressive on pet food products. Many times when you actually look at the ingredients and breakdown of nutrients, that beautiful package starts to appear really misleading. And now there are vegan products claiming that they are complete and balanced, even for cats. I find this very frustrating.

In my work as a behavior consultant, I see behavior issues related to food such as predatory behavior, pica and frustration from cats being fed commercial diets that are inappropriate for that particular cat. We need more commercial pet food options that are appropriate for cats, that meet their species specific needs as true carnivores, not vegan options.

I asked my colleague and friend, Terri Grow, her thoughts about vegan food as she has invested a lot of her time researching the subject.

ABOUT TERRI GROW

Terri Grow, certified feline nutrition expert

Terri Grow is a trailblazer in feline health and wellness, leveraging her unique blend of experience, knowledge, and advocacy. After a decade in corporate marketing and advertising, Terri founded PetSage®, a pioneering holistic pet resource center in Northern Virginia that for 20 years successfully integrated holistic healthcare, pet owner education, advocacy, and responsible product commerce. In 2020, she transitioned to consulting, speaking, and partnering with global pet health companies — championing optimal dietary, health, and welfare practices for cats. As a certified expert in Traditional Chinese Herbology and Natural Animal Nutrition, Terri is also a respected lecturer on feline nutrition at the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. and member of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. 

These are the questions I asked Terri along with her responses

You recently gave a webinar through the CIVT and wrote an article for their journal about cat foods and behavior. Why is vegan cat food a topic you're interested in?

You might say I got mad. Throughout my 30-plus years in the pet industry, I've observed how human food trends frequently shape pet foods and supplements. But, after reading the ingredients of a new vegan cat food, I had to question why we, as humans, believe we have the right to impose our values and beliefs on our carnivorous companions, completely disregarding their evolutionary needs. I also knew that if I wanted to debate vegan diets for cats, I needed a better response than simply "because they are obligate carnivores." 

Now after years of research, two webinars, and a paper, all focused on how every component of a diet—ingredients, nutrients, food processing, digestibility, and bioavailability—can affect a cat’s health and behavior, I’d like to think I have the necessary groundwork to argue against vegan cat food. Not to mention my concerns that the plant-based movement may just be setting us (humans and animals) on a dietary road that will have severe repercussions for our health and wellbeing, and for the future of the planet.

Would you feed your own cats vegan cat food?

As an exclusive diet, no. But just as I will share a potato chip with my cats, I have proposed that if a cat is accepting, consider a meatless treat or meal occasionally if you are concerned about your cat's environmental "pawprint." That is, if the cat does not have any digestive or health issues. But understand, while cats can digest and utilize some carbohydrates, the cat’s natural diet does not contain vegetables, fruits, legumes, or any of the ingredients found in vegan diets. 

Why do people want to feed their cats vegan cat food when they know that cats are strict carnivores?  

That’s a complex question that needs a multifaceted answer. First, I believe many cat owners don’t grasp the meaning of “obligate carnivore.” As often as that term is used and discussed, many nutritionists and manufacturers still formulate diets suited more for omnivores. Second, the plant-based movement has played a significant role in demonizing meat and animal farming, while promoting plant-based foods as inherently healthier. Without a clear understanding of the differences between animal and plant-based proteins, it's easy for people to accept this viewpoint as fact. Animal protein and plant protein are not interchangeable. Lastly, it's often assumed that because these products are sold commercially, they must be nutritionally sound. However, analyses have repeatedly revealed deficiencies, excesses, and inaccurate labeling. Our cats, unfortunately, then become the long-term test subjects.

Do you think cats can thrive on a vegan diet?

That’s a hard no. While it's possible to adjust a vegan diet to meet a cat's basic amino acid requirements, the true value of meat lies in its vast array of nutrients. This complex matrix of nutrients goes far beyond the minimums needed for survival and is what truly impacts a cat's health, behavior, and longevity.

Are there any benefits to feeding cats vegan diets?

I've only recommended a plant-based diet once: during COVID, when there were concerns of meat shortages. A veterinary nutritionist and I formulated a tofu-based recipe, but it was supplemented with liver. The benefit was to prevent starvation. 

With dogs, we may use a vegan or vegetarian diet as a short-term elimination diet. But with cats the ingredients would be so counter to their natural diet, you would most likely end up with more adverse reactions. 

Thank you Terri for answering my questions so thoughtfully.

For a more in depth analysis on the environmental impact of vegan diets and whether it's appropriate for cats, check out Terri's webinar and notes. I highly recommend the webinar if this is a subject you'd like to learn more about.

About the author: Jennifer Van de Kieft, CAFTP, FFCP, PNCC is located in Brooklyn, NY. She is certified in feline behavior and pet nutrition. She owns Cat Advocate, a feline behavior consulting company. She provides cat guardians with the strategies, tools and knowledge needed to address their cat's behavior issues. Jennifer provides virtual consultations throughout the United States.