Can Cats And Dogs Survive On Vegan Diets?

Can Dogs and Cats Survive on a Vegan Diet?

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests dogs and cats can survive, and even thrive, on nutritionally-sound vegan diets. However, there is still controversy within the scientific literature, the popular press, and online media around the safety of feeding vegan diets to dogs and cats.

Dogs are omnivores, but many require taurine and L-carnitine, which are found in raw meat, in their diets. Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores and have stricter nutritional requirements. Vitamin A, taurine, and arachidonic acid are essential for maintaining their health.

A recent review of the scientific literature found that there is no convincing evidence of major impacts of vegan diets on dog or cat health. However, the authors noted that there have been a limited number of studies investigating this question and that those studies often used small sample sizes or short feeding durations. They recommended a cautious approach, particularly for cat owners, who should use commercially produced vegan diets to prevent dietary deficiencies.

Some of the benefits of feeding dogs and cats vegan diets include a reduced environmental impact and improved health outcomes. One study found that if all dogs transitioned to a nutritionally sound plant-based diet, the reduction in global GHG emissions would be greater than all GHG emissions from the UK. Another study found that owners of cats fed vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet, less medication use, and said that their vet would be more likely to describe their cat as healthy.

Cats and dogs can survive on vegan diets

Cats

Cats are natural-born killers and have historically enjoyed a meat-based diet. However, a vegan diet is not only safe for cats but may also have health benefits. A study published in the journal Plos One found that owners of cats on vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet, less medication use, and said their vet would be more likely to describe their cat as healthy.

Cats need a high-protein diet that includes certain nutrients, like taurine, which are only found naturally in meat. However, these nutrients can be synthetically manufactured or sourced from specific plants and added to vegan food as supplements. In fact, meat-based food sometimes has to be supplemented because the nutrients can be destroyed during processing.

While some cats can be extremely fussy about food, there are several nutritionally complete vegan cat foods on the market. Vitamin A, taurine, and arachidonic acid are essential to maintaining a cat's health and are usually added to vegan cat foods or can be supplemented.

Dogs

Dogs are biologically part of the order Carnivora but are omnivores, meaning they can eat both meat and plants. They have adapted to live with humans, making them capable of adjusting to a meat-free diet, unlike their wolf ancestors. While vegan diets are not healthier than other diets for most dogs, canines can still thrive with a vet-approved vegan meal plan.

It is important to ensure that a dog's nutritional requirements are met on a vegan diet. Dogs need two amino acids, L-carnitine and taurine, which are usually added to vegan dog food or can be added as supplements. Vegan diets are often higher in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but non-animal sources for omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 can be hard to come by.

There are limited health reasons why a veterinarian might recommend a vegan diet for a dog. A meat-free diet may be suggested because of a possible food allergy to a certain protein source. Commercial vegan diets are available, but not all of them are nutritionally complete, so it is important to make sure the diet is formulated to meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.

Vegan diets may lead to better health outcomes for dogs and cats

There is a growing body of evidence that vegan diets may not be harmful to dogs and cats, and may even lead to better health outcomes. However, it is important to approach this topic with caution, as there is still limited research in this area.

Dogs

Dogs are omnivores, meaning they are designed to eat foods of both animal and plant origins. They have several key anatomical features that enable them to digest and derive nutrients from both meat and plants. These include:

• Molars with relatively flat surfaces designed to grind up bones as well as fibrous plant material.
• The ability to digest most carbohydrates they consume.
• A small intestine that occupies about 23% of the total gastrointestinal volume, which is consistent with other omnivores.
• The ability to create vitamin A, an essential nutrient, from beta-carotene found in plants.

Several scientific studies have shown that meat-free diets for dogs can be successful. For example, a 2009 study involving racing Siberian Huskies found that 16 weeks on a meat-free diet did not significantly impact competitive performance. Another study involving companion animals in Europe did not reveal any diet-related clinical abnormalities in pets being fed a vegan diet for a minimum of six months. A 2023 analysis of existing research concluded that there is no convincing evidence of any major negative impact of vegan diets on dog health.

However, it is important to note that a vegan diet for dogs requires careful attention to nutritional balance. It is essential to consult with a vet or animal nutritionist to prevent dietary deficiencies. Some key considerations include:

• Adequate protein intake: Adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Puppies and pregnant or lactating female dogs need at least 22.5%.
• Essential vitamins and minerals: Vegan dog food should include vitamins and minerals that would typically come from animal ingredients, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
• Amino acid imbalance: Plant proteins do not contain all the essential amino acids that dogs need, so a balanced vegan dog diet should contain a combination of plant proteins that provide the ideal ratio of essential amino acids.

Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to survive. Their gastrointestinal tracts and metabolism have adapted to eating meat, and they cannot digest plant material well. They require essential nutrients, such as taurine, that are only found in animal sources.

However, it is possible to find commercial vegan cat foods on the market, and some cat owners choose to feed their cats vegan diets. A 2021 study found that cats fed vegan diets were more frequently reported by their guardians to be in very good health, with more ideal body condition scores and fewer gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders than cats fed meat-based diets.

While it is possible for dogs and cats to survive and even thrive on vegan diets, it is important to approach this topic with caution. Vegan diets for dogs and cats require careful attention to nutritional balance, and it is essential to consult with a vet or animal nutritionist to prevent dietary deficiencies. More research is needed in this area to fully understand the potential health outcomes of vegan diets for dogs and cats.

Commercially available vegan diets are recommended over homemade ones

Secondly, commercially available vegan diets have undergone rigorous testing to ensure their safety and nutritional adequacy. They are typically developed by experts in animal nutrition and undergo clinical trials before being released to the market. This helps to ensure that the food meets the nutritional needs of the target species and does not cause any adverse health effects.

Thirdly, commercial vegan pet foods are more convenient and may be more cost-effective than preparing homemade vegan diets. Preparing homemade vegan meals for pets can be time-consuming and may require purchasing specialised ingredients, which can be costly. Commercially available vegan pet foods are also more readily available and can be purchased from pet stores or online retailers.

Finally, there is a growing body of research that suggests that commercially available vegan diets can be safe and healthy for dogs and cats. A systematic review of the research on this topic concluded that there is little evidence of adverse health effects in dogs and cats fed nutritionally complete, commercially available vegan diets. This review also found some evidence of potential health benefits associated with these diets.

However, it is important to note that the research on this topic is still limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of vegan diets for dogs and cats. In the meantime, pet owners who wish to feed their companions a vegan diet should do so cautiously and ensure they are using commercially available, nutritionally complete foods. Consulting a veterinarian can also help ensure that the diet is appropriate for the individual animal's needs.

Cats and dogs have large environmental 'paw prints'

Cats and dogs have large environmental paw prints. In the US, the diets of dogs and cats account for 20% of all livestock animals consumed, while globally, it's 9%. This has a significant impact on the environment.

Pet food is responsible for 25-30% of the environmental impacts of the livestock sector in the US. If all dogs transitioned to a nutritionally sound plant-based diet, the reduction in global GHG emissions would be greater than all GHG emissions from the UK.

Dogs and cats in the US consume about one-quarter of all meat-derived calories, which means their diets account for one-quarter of all the land, water, fossil fuel, fertiliser, and pesticide use associated with producing that meat. This results in an additional 64 million tons of greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere each year, equivalent to 13.6 million cars being driven for a year.

The global pet food market was worth almost $97 billion in 2020, with more than one-third of that food purchased in the US. The environmental impact of pet food production is significant, considering the sheer volume of pet ownership worldwide.

The pet food industry is no longer a niche market but a growing sector in many countries. The sustainability of this industry should be seriously considered, as it is now contributing significantly to global climate change.

Meat-based diets require more energy and water and have far greater environmental impacts than plant-based diets. Commercial pet dry food has higher percentages of animal meat products than human foods, resulting in a higher ecological paw print and carbon emissions.

The environmental impacts of companion animal diets are set to increase unless we change things. The global market for pet food ingredients is expected to increase by nearly 40% in the next four years, which means the environmental impact of pet food production is likely to increase significantly.

Feeding companion animals plant-based diets could have significant environmental and animal welfare benefits. If all the world's dogs and cats were fed plant-based diets, the deaths of 7 billion animals could be avoided every year.

Cats and dogs can get all the required nutrients from plant-based diets

Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are physically incapable of getting enough nutrients from plants to survive without synthetic supplementation. However, this does not mean that cats cannot survive on a plant-based diet. According to a fact sheet by Pet Food UK, "nutritionally sound, plant-based pet food can provide a healthy diet for both cats and dogs". The fact sheet goes on to say that "whilst it is technically possible to make complete and balanced vegetarian and vegan diets for dogs and cats, these require careful formulation by highly qualified animal nutritionists".

A 2021 study by Dr. Sarah Dodd and colleagues found that cats fed plant-based diets were more frequently reported by their guardians to be in very good health. This study included dietary information for 1,026 cats, of whom 187 were fed plant-based diets.

Another study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2006, compared the health status of 34 cats maintained on vegetarian diets and 52 cats maintained on conventional diets for at least one year. No significant differences existed in age, sex, body condition, housing, or perceived health status between the two groups. Most of the caregivers in both groups described their cats as healthy or generally healthy.

Dogs

Dogs are carnivores but are not obligate carnivores, meaning they have evolved to eat a diet of meat but can survive without it. According to veterinarian Dr. Andrew Knight, dogs fed vegetarian diets long-term have been found to have improved coat condition, allergy control, weight control, increased overall health and vitality, arthritis regression, diabetes regression, cataract resolution, and decreased incidence of cancer.

A 2022 study funded by a ProVeg research grant found that the healthiest and least hazardous food for dogs is provided by a nutritionally sound plant-based diet. This study, which involved over 2,500 dogs, compared the health outcomes of dogs on a conventional diet, a raw meat diet, and a plant-based diet.

Another study, published in Research in Veterinary Science, collected dietary information from 1,189 dog guardians, including 357 feeding solely plant-based diets, who had fed these diets for 3 years on average. The study found that dogs fed plant-based food were reportedly more likely to enjoy very good health, and less likely to suffer ocular, gastrointestinal, and hepatic disorders. No health disorders were more likely, and the longevity of previously-owned dogs was reportedly 1.5 years greater when fed purely plant-based diets.

While cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and digestive systems, it is possible for them to get all the required nutrients from plant-based diets. However, it is important to note that these diets may require careful formulation by highly qualified animal nutritionists to ensure that they meet the specific needs of the species and life stage of the animal.

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