According to Andrew Knight and Madelaine Leitsberger, the authors of a review of four studies that looked at the nutritional sufficiency of vegetarian diets for cats and dogs published in the journal Animals, “a growing body of evidence appears to indicate that dogs and cats can survive, and indeed thrive, on nutritionally-sound vegetarian and vegan diets.” In one study comparing the perceived health status of vegetarian cats to cats on conventional diets, there were no appreciable differences between the two groups.
Some dogs even have sensitivity to meat, so they do better without it. Many commercial meat-based dog and cat foods include ingredients that are bad for them, like hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, pesticides, fillers of low quality, and animal parts that are deemed unfit for human consumption, like diseased flesh and ground-up feathers.
Dogs are omnivores, but many need taurine and L-carnitine in their diets, which are found in raw meat. In breeds that are susceptible to the condition, these amino acids can help prevent dilated cardiomyopathy. However, they are now present in the majority of commercial dog foods, both vegetarian and meat-based, and if you want to feed a homemade diet, you can buy them in powder form online or at a health food store.
More strict nutritional requirements apply to cats than to dogs. They require vitamin A, taurine, and arachidonic acid to stay healthy. These can now be added to a homemade, plant-based diet and can be found in any high-quality commercial cat food.
Fresh fruit and vegetables like melon, bananas, and apples, whole grains like millet and barley, homemade dog biscuits, and superfoods like spirulina, nutritional yeast, and nori are frequently used as supplements for the diets of both dogs and cats.
Start blending vegetarian food (there are several brands to choose from, including v-dog, Am, and Wild Earth, or adhere to the vegan recipes in Dr. that include Vegepet supplements or Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats) along with the meat-based food Over the course of one to two weeks, gradually increase the vegetarian intake while lowering the amount of meat. Most dogs and cats, but not all, can thrive on a vegetarian diet, so keep a close eye on your pet to see if the new diet is agreeing with them. If you experience digestive or skin issues, you might need to make changes. If necessary, switch to a different brand or recipe, or resume feeding the previous diet.
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Dogs
Dogs are omnivores, which means they can eat both plants and animal products.
Although they are capable of adapting quickly, it is crucial to meet their nutritional needs. L-carnitine and taurine, two essential amino acids for dogs, are frequently added to vegan dog food (brands available in Australia are listed below), or they can be taken as supplements.
Try some of the homemade recipes you can find online if you have the time. Please talk to your veterinarian about the nutritional requirements of your animal companion if you’re thinking about taking this route.
Vegan Dog and Cat Food Brands in Australia
You can find products from this completely vegan brand via its website as well as at Pet Shop Direct, The Cruelty Free Shop, All About Empathy, Petfood Plus, Everything Vegan, The Green Edge, Loving Hut, and elsewhere. See the full list of retailers here.
Wet and dry food for dogs and cats is available from VeganPet, along with a selection of vegan treats.
This company, which is well-known, provides vegan dry food for dogs.
V-Planet produces dry vegan dog food in Canada and ships to Australia via Anything Vegan and Pet Shop Direct.
What specific components make a vegan diet unhealthy for cats?
Taurine: Taurine is a crucial amino acid for cats. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Only animal sources, such as meat, milk, and so forth, contain taurine. It is not found in plant sources. Humans and dogs can synthesize taurine, but cats cannot and must get their taurine directly from an animal source. Because the vegan diet deprives cats of this vital amino acid, taurine, they frequently experience taurine deficiency.
Dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as DCM, is a heart condition that can develop in cats who are taurine deficient. The heart muscle in cats with DCM thins out and weakens, making it impossible for them to normally pump blood and provide the body with oxygen. This is a fatal disease if not corrected early on. Cats who don’t get enough taurine can develop severe eye issues, including blindness.
Protein: Cats require a diet high in protein. Simply put, plants don’t contain enough high-quality, easily digestible protein to satisfy a cat’s dietary needs.
Carbohydrates: Cats are not good at digesting carbohydrates. They don’t provide much energy, and cats shouldn’t eat a lot of carbohydrates. They need calorie dense options that meat provides.
The fact that cats are obligate carnivores means that their digestive systems and metabolism have evolved to accommodate eating meat. They require essential nutrients that only meat can provide to them because they cannot digest plant material well. When feeding a cat, you must always serve meat because they aren’t designed to digest a plant-based diet. Even so, you can still enhance the welfare of farm animals by choosing animal food brands that display meaningful welfare certification labels, which signify more ethical and open farming practices. Learn more about how to buy food for you and your pets while shopping with your heart.
FAQ
Can cats and dogs survive on a vegan diet?
Watch your dog or cat carefully to make sure the new food is agreeable to them because many (but not all) dogs and cats do well on a vegan diet. If you experience skin issues, digestive problems, or any other health issues, you might need to make adjustments. Change up the brand or recipe you’re using, and if necessary, go back to your old eating plan.
Can a cat survive on a vegan diet?
In a nutshell, cats cannot be vegetarians or vegans. Due to their status as obligate carnivores, cats must consume meat.
Can a dog really be vegan?
The largest study to date found that, as long as they are nutritionally complete, vegan diets are healthier and safer for dogs than traditional meat-based diets. Using surveys that their owners filled out, more than 2,500 dogs’ diets and health were monitored over the course of a year.
Can dogs be 100% vegan?
Dogs are omnivores and can be vegetarians or even vegans if their diet is balanced and complete.