Can cats be vegan?

Cats are obligate carnivores and cannot obtain all the nutrients they need from plants alone.

With the rise in plant-based diets in the UK, many have started to consider altering their pet’s diet too. This can be for many reasons, such as environmental, ethical or health reasons.

But owners must be aware of the risks involved before thinking about feeding their pet a vegetarian or vegan diet. Ultimately, feeding your pet any diet that does not meet their nutritional needs is likely to cause health issues in the future.

Why do cats need meat?

Cats have specific nutritional needs, including protein requirements and amino acids (such as taurine and arachidonic acid). These needs cannot be met by a vegan diet without synthetic supplements.

Additionally, taurine, (an amino acid, which is needed for many of your cat’s vital tissues and organs including their heart, eyesight, and immune system) is an essential part of a cat’s diet. Cats cannot make their own taurine so they must have it in their diet. Natural taurine can only be found in animal-based proteins.

Cats can become very ill if given a plant-based diet which has not been supplemented with these nutrients. If you are still considering feeding your cat a vegan diet, please speak to your vet beforehand.  

Commercial vegan diets for cats

There are some commercial vegan diets available which have synthetically made nutrients to replace those found only in animal based ingredients.

There may also be some that do not meet the safety and nutritional standards of other types of food. Manufacturers should provide information to show it is nutritionally complete and balanced. This information can be difficult to find and understand, so it's important to speak with your vet for advice too.

As nutritional requirements vary with life stages and in certain illnesses, even a well-balanced vegan diet may not be suitable for all cats. Your vet will be able to help you decide whether it is appropriate for your cat.

Do not be tempted to home produce a vegan diet, as it carries a high risk that it will not consistently give your cat what they need. Speak to your vet if you have any questions. We strongly recommend feeding your cat a diet that meets PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association) guidelines.