Is A Plant Based Diet Healthy For Your Cat

Is A Plant-Based Diet Better For
Your Pet’s Health?
ByEmma Williams
Posted on May 22, 2020
Many pet owners and animal lovers alike choose to

follow a plant-based diet. There are many benefits to a
vegan diet, namely that it’s a sustainable and ethical
way to live. But some pet owners have not only adopted
this diet for themselves but for their pets, too. Interest in
plant-based diets for pets has increased, particularly in
younger pet owners. Even major pet food brands are
offering plant-based options to appeal to this growing
trend—but is it really better for our furriest friends?
VEGAN PET DIETS ARE ON THE RISE
A recent study found a growing number of pet owners

are feeding their dogs and cats vegetarian or vegan
diets – or would like to do so. Pet owners tend to have
higher empathy toward animals, and clearly want to
provide diets that will benefit their pet’s health. They are
also choosing plant-based pet foods to reflect their
concerns about the ethical and moral implications of
animal-derived products and farming practices.
Related: Need Help With Vet Bills or Pet Food?
There ARE Resources Available!
Image Credit: Unsplash
MILLENNIALS ARE LEADING THE VEGAN REVOLUTION
Research in the UK found that it’s generally the younger

generation (those aged between 16-24) who are most
likely to cut red meat and to limit meat products in their
pet’s diet. Along with the moral and ethical dilemmas of
meat-based foods, 76% of these pet owners cite that
they are choosing to feed their pets a vegan or
vegetarian diet as they believe it’s better for digestive
health.
This trend is also reflected in North America, with

the American Veterinary Medical Association noting
that ―interest in, and availability of, plant-based diets, are
growing in popularity in the North American pet food
market.‖
MAJOR PET BRANDS GOING MEAT-FREE
Major pet food brands such as Purina, Pedigree, Natural

Balance, and PetGuard have entered the plant-based
market by offering meat-free dog and cat food. These
plant-based options include vegetables and plant-
derived proteins such as brown rice, barley, peas,
spinach, and potatoes.
Like those in the UK, American pet owners note their
concerns that some mass-produced pet food could
contain meat sourced inhumanely. For this reason, they
are choosing plant-based options for their pets in a bid
to be more kind to their pet’s wellbeing and to animals at
large.
Supermarket pet foods are often composed of ground-

up animal parts that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
inspectors have deemed unfit for human consumption.
Along with this, most of these pet foods also contain
hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics that can be toxic to
pets.
In the UK study, seven in ten (71%) of pet food buyers
said that a pet’s diet has a direct impact on its emotional
wellbeing. Similarly, pet owners in New Zealand have
shared the benefits a vegan diet has had on their pet’s
health, citing great health and a healthier nervous
system as some of the improvements from a plant-
based diet.
ALWAYS SEEK GUIDANCE FROM A VET BEFORE CHANGING
YOUR PET’S DIET
As most people consider their pets as part of their

family, keeping our pets healthy at home or on holiday is
always the number one priority. So it’s important for pet
owners to seek professional guidance when it comes to
choosing the best foods for their pets.
Consulting a vet is always recommended before any pet
owner decides to switch up their pet’s diet, especially if
you’re making the switch to homemade pet food.
―While it’s important that pet owners feel comfortable
with what they’re feeding them, it’s important to keep in
mind that dogs aren’t tiny humans and they have
different requirements,‖ says Megan Shepherd, a doctor
of veterinary medicine at Virginia-Maryland College of
Veterinary Medicine.
Dogs are omnivores and not herbivores, meaning that
they can eat a wide variety of foods but it’s essential for
pet owners to choose foods that contain key vitamins
and nutrients to sustain their pet’s health.
Important supplements such as amino acids, omega 3,

and vitamins A and B are required in pets diets and may
not be present in plant-based pet food. There are plant-
based pet foods on the market that include these crucial
nutrients, however, there hasn’t been enough research
to support their long-term health benefits.
Related: 3 Reasons to Feed Canned Instead of Dry
CATS NEED MEAT – THERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT
It’s a biological necessity that cats must eat meat, as

they are obligate carnivores and their gastrointestinal
tracts and metabolism have adapted to having protein
through the meat. If you are making any changes to your
cat’s diet, make sure to consult a vet first. If your cat has
any nutritional deficiencies, your vet may suggest
digestive enzymes and probiotics, plus giving your
feline the meat her body needs.
Interest in feeding pets a plant-based diet is likely to
grow in the next couple of years. More people are
discovering the health benefits a vegan diet has on
humans and have a desire to mimic the same for their
pets.
If a pet owner is considering putting their pet on a plant-
based diet, it’s best to first arrange an appointment with
their vet and get professional guidance to ensure their
pet is getting the right nutrients it needs to thrive.
Just when this dog-eat-dog world has handed you all the poop
you can take, it's time to walk the dog. Or wash the dog. Or
feed the dog. You get the idea. So welcome to the world of
easy-to-care-for cats. Entertainment comes bundled in a furry,
huggable, self-cleaning cat who won't beg for your food. In his
eyes, you don't eat well enough anyway. Just keep a laser
pen handy, sit back and wait for the fun to begin! Cats...ya
gotta love 'em.

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Is A Plant-Based Diet Better For

Your Pet’s Health?

Many pet owners and animal lovers alike choose to

VEGAN PET DIETS ARE ON THE RISE

A recent study found a growing number of pet owners

MILLENNIALS ARE LEADING THE VEGAN REVOLUTION

Research in the UK found that it’s generally the younger

This trend is also reflected in North America, with

MAJOR PET BRANDS GOING MEAT-FREE

Major pet food brands such as Purina, Pedigree, Natural

Supermarket pet foods are often composed of ground-

ALWAYS SEEK GUIDANCE FROM A VET BEFORE CHANGING

YOUR PET’S DIET

As most people consider their pets as part of their

Important supplements such as amino acids, omega 3,

Related: 3 Reasons to Feed Canned Instead of Dry

CATS NEED MEAT – THERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT

It’s a biological necessity that cats must eat meat, as

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