Many vegetarian people would like to feed their pets a vegetarian diet too. Addressing only cats for now, there are arguments on both sides, but the general consensus is that making your cat a vegetarian is ill-advised.

Cats are naturally carnivores. For thousands of years they have hunted prey and eaten meat, so their digestive system evolved accordingly. Meat provides cats with the optimal balance of protein and fatty acids. There are certain nutrients that cats require which can only be found in animal proteins. In particular, taurine and arachidonic acid are essential to feline health. As a result, even the Vegetarian Society advises against putting your cat on a vegetarian diet.


That being said, there are supplements that provide those essential certain nutrients and some humans have successfully kept their cats healthy on a vegetarian diet. A small study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that the majority of 34 cats on vegetarian diets were within normal ranges on essential nutrients.

If you have any interest in making your cat vegetarian, we STRONGLY suggest that you do it only in consultation with your veterinarian.





We went to reliable sources for the above information, but don’t forget – we’re just cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian, professional trainer or other expert.