As of: January 18, 2024, 3:30 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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In Veganuary, the vegan January, many people are giving up animal products - and want their pets to join in too.
But is a vegan diet possible for cats?
“
Veganuary
is a non-profit organization and campaign that encourages people around the world to eat a vegan diet in January and beyond.” This is how the organization, founded in 2014, describes itself on its homepage. To protect the environment, prevent animal suffering and to stop a vegan diet is one of the most effective measures to combat climate change.
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When the impact of dogs and cats on the environment is discussed, many pet owners consider feeding their pets a low-meat diet or even a purely plant-based diet, at least temporarily.
After all, German four-legged friends have a significant share of the meat industry, with around one million tons of meat eaten every year (as of 2021), as
Spiegel
informs.
But does switching your cat to a vegan diet really correspond to a species-appropriate diet?
Vegan diet against climate change – can cats do their part?
Vegan nutrition for cats is controversial - cat owners should weigh the advantages and disadvantages themselves.
(Symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
While dogs can eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, things are different for cats.
“A vegan diet does not meet the basic nutritional needs of a cat,” says Verena Wirosaf, veterinarian and specialist for pets at the
German Animal Welfare Association.
V.
_
Cat owners should avoid a vegetarian or vegan diet, as cats are pure carnivores.
With purely plant-based food, house tigers would lack certain nutrients that are needed, for example, “for the growth of bones and muscles or their eyesight,” writes the Animal Welfare Association in its guide to cat nutrition.
Vegan diet possible for cats – under what conditions?
The animal rights organization
Peta
, on the other hand, informs that a vegan diet for cats is definitely possible.
Studies have shown that a balanced, purely plant-based diet has no disadvantage for cats.
However, cat owners should ensure that their animals consume all important nutrients in sufficient quantities and quality.
This includes all macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats as well as micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
Taurine and the so-called arachidonic acid are also essential for cats.
Cat owners should also supplement vitamin B12 and vitamin D with supplements if they are not already included in sufficient quantities in the vegan food.
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Comprehensive nutrient supply guaranteed only through meat?
However, taurine is naturally present in animal foods such as fish, meat and milk.
The pharmacist and doctor Benjamin Clanner-Engelshofen provides information about this on
NetDoktor.de
.
A lack of taurine can cause, among other things, heart disease.
According to Utopia.de,
arachidonic acid is also
found primarily in animal products such as offal.
In addition, the cat cannot efficiently convert the beta-carotene present in plants into vitamin A.
However, optimal supply would be guaranteed through animal food.
The vegan diet for cats is also controversial among experts and veterinarians.
Cat owners should therefore inform themselves thoroughly before deciding to change their cat's diet.
Whether meat-based, vegetarian or vegan - in any case, care should be taken to ensure that the cat gets all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantity and quality.