One sentence summary – A recent study involving 1,369 cat owners found that cats fed vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet and less medication use compared to those on meat-based diets, although some veterinarians have expressed concerns about the healthiness of vegan diets for cats, and further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks.
At a glance
- Cats fed vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet and less medication use
- Pet foods now use alternative protein sources like plants or fungi
- Some veterinarians have concerns about the healthiness of vegan diets for cats
- Cats on vegan diets showed better health outcomes across every general health indicator
- The switch to vegan diets for pets could have positive environmental impacts
The details
A recent study has suggested that cats may potentially benefit from consuming a vegan diet, according to new research.
The study involved surveying 1,369 cat owners.
Those who fed their cats vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet and less medication use compared to those feeding meat-based diets.
The research found that many pet foods now use alternative protein sources, such as plants or fungi like mushrooms.
Some veterinarians have expressed concerns about the healthiness of vegan diets for cats.
Limited research has been conducted on this topic.
In this study, cats fed vegan diets showed better health outcomes across every general health indicator that was studied.
The researchers analyzed survey responses and found that about 9% of cat owners reported feeding their cats a vegan diet.
After accounting for other factors, the study found no statistically significant difference in health indicators between cats on vegan diets and those on meat-based diets.
Cats on vegan diets were also less likely to require frequent visits to the vet, be on medication, or be on a special therapeutic diet.
Aside from potential health benefits, the switch to vegan diets for pets could also have positive environmental impacts.
This includes savings in greenhouse gases, land, freshwater use, and food energy.
There is currently no evidence suggesting that cats suffer from a nutritionally-sound vegan diet.
However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks of feeding cats a vegan diet.
While there are varied opinions among experts, this research provides some insights into the potential benefits and considerations of feeding cats a vegan diet.
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| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – Cats may potentially benefit from eating a vegan diet, according to new research. – |
| A survey of cat owners found that those who fed their cats vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet and less medication use. – Many pet foods use alternative protein sources, such as plants or fungi, like mushrooms. – Some vets have concerns about the healthiness of vegan diets for cats, but limited research has been done on this topic. – Cats fed vegan diets had better health outcomes for every general health indicator studied. |
| – Researchers analyzed survey responses from 1,369 cat owners and found that about 9% reported feeding their cat a vegan diet. |
| – After accounting for other factors, there was no statistically significant difference between the health indicators of cats on vegan diets and those on meat-based diets. – Cats on vegan diets were less likely to visit the vet frequently, be on medication, or be on a special therapeutic diet. |
| – The switch to vegan diets for pets could have benefits for the planet, including savings in greenhouse gases, land, freshwater use, and food energy. |
| – There is no evidence to suggest that cats suffer from a nutritionally-sound vegan diet. |
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