Many cat parents who have adopted veganism worry about whether it is safe to give their cats a vegan diet. It’s only natural that you’d like to share your beliefs with your cats – after all, you consider them to be family!
Additionally, purchasing animal goods for pet cats may be unsettling for a person who practices veganism. Nevertheless, it’s critical to get a thorough understanding of the feline diet. Before you make a drastic change in their diet, you must understand what your cats need to stay healthy.
Consider the following. Is it possible for a cat to consume a vegetarian diet in the first place? Regrettably, many veterinarians decline that very concept. Cats are genetically predisposed to be carnivores. In simple words, they are obligate carnivores, unlike dogs that are omnivores. This implies they actually require meat in their diets to get the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain their bodies operating properly.
So, if you wish to give vegan cat food to your beloved cat you must consider whether such food is good for your cats or not. Let’s examine the distinctions between food types and the important nutrients that your furry cat need.
Does Vegan Cat Food Contain Everything Your Cat Needs?
Everyone knows that cats bring dead creatures to their owners, such as mice, birds, or cockroaches. Perhaps even you experience that! This is not a deliberate attempt by our cats to annoy us; it is part of a cat’s nature to seek, kill, and devour animals. You can’t do anything about cats being born to be hunters. However, if a cat is somehow not able to consume meat, it may adapt to a plant-based diet. The only thing is that this switch is not a long-term one.
If you own an outdoor cat, you’re undoubtedly already aware of its hunting abilities. Consider the targets she’s pursued. There is a significant reason why your cat is avoiding grains and veggies. You may have seen your cat nibbling on plants or grass, but this is more of nutritional assistance than a complete meal.
Cats fulfill their dietary requirements by consuming meat that contains particular nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, taurine, and arachidonic acid. Each of these nutrients is adequately provided to keep your cat healthy, even if it is fed a vegan cat chow.
What will happen if your cat is deficient in these critical nutrients? In essence, their bodies are jeopardized. Your cat may become deficient in vital minerals and vitamins, and if the deficiency persists for an extended period of time, it can result in severe health problems. Taurine is particularly responsible for the most prevalent issues. Without it, a cat may develop cardiomyopathy, a disease in which an enlarged heart results in significantly decreased contractions.
The primary issue with vegan cat food is that it is often deficient in amino acids and contains an excessive amount of carbs. Why are carbohydrate-containing foods harmful to cats? Their bodies have developed to the point that they no longer require them, which means they are incapable of digesting them.
Whatever diet you follow, everyone wants the best for their pets. While it may be tough for a vegan to feed their cat meat, it’s critical to remember that the decision is yours and your cat had nothing to do with that decision. Your cat is incapable of comprehending the health or ethical concerns that motivated you to alter your diet, and you should not be pushing your cat to do the same, thereby putting your cat at risk.
That being said, most cat meals, such as wet food or dry kibble, are not produced from animals farmed in factories. Vegans seeking to make a compassionate decision for their pets may consider searching locally for ethically produced meats to feed their cats. Additionally, there are refrigerated meals labeled “free-range” or “pasture-raised” to assist you in identifying a more environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to get their advice on viable alternatives.
The real goal of becoming a vegan is to inflict the least amount of pain possible on animals. While it is not advised to switch your cat to a vegan diet, there are still alternatives that enable you to feel good about helping the environment while still ensuring that your cat remains healthy. By not considering your cat’s dietary needs, you will be inflicting physical discomfort to your cat, which may eventually lead to your cat’s demise. That’s not the goal of a vegan, is it?