Is It Safe for Cats to Eat a Vegan Diet?

Why Shouldn't We Recommend Vegetarian Cat Food?

Cats require a wide variety of amino acids to live a healthy life. While some of these amino acids can be synthesized by the cat itself, others cannot. However, these essential amino acids are crucial for maintaining normal growth and development, which means they must be obtained from their diet. These amino acids are known as "essential amino acids."

For cats, there are several key essential amino acids, such as arginine, lysine, and taurine, which are abundant in meats, poultry, dairy products, organs, and fish. However, these nutrients are scarce in plantbased sources. Moreover, the form of plant proteins is not easily utilized by the body, and they must be purified and hydrolyzed to be effectively absorbed and utilized by cats.

Therefore, one significant challenge with many vegetarian cat foods is that if manufacturers do not pay close attention to the formulation and production process, it can easily lead to deficiencies in arginine, lysine, and taurine. It can also make the protein in the cat food difficult for cats to digest and absorb, potentially leading to severe malnutrition.

Is There a Time When Vegetarian Cat Food Dominates All Others?

Yes, there is, but it's not a complete dominance.

Plantbased proteins have a lower phosphorus content and are less easily absorbed, which can provide sufficient protein while reducing phosphorus intake and lightening the burden on the kidneys. This can be particularly beneficial for older cats or those with kidney failure.

However, there are also many nonvegetarian cat foods that maintain a low phosphorus content, so vegetarian cat food is not the only option.

Tip: For more information on cat food, click How to Choose the Right Cat Food to learn more.