Evaluation Of Cats Fed Vegetarian Diets

According to this study of 34 cats who have been fed vegetarian diets, people who feed such diets to their cats did so largely for ethical concerns versus health concerns. The vast majority of cats examined were found to have normal blood and plasma taurine and serum cobalamin levels.

The blood of 34 cats exclusively on vegetarian diets and 52 cats on conventional diets was examined to measure blood and plasma taurine and serum cobalamin levels.

According to the results of this study, all cats evaluated had serum cobalamin concentrations within the reference range and 14 out of 17 had blood taurine concentrations within the reference range.

From survey responses, researchers concluded that vegetarian diets are fed to cats primarily for ethical considerations. Those feeding their cats vegetarian diets were more likely than conventional feeders to believe that there are health benefits associated with a vegetarian diets and that commercial cat foods are more unwholesome.

Both groups of cat owners were aware of potential health issues that could arise from improperly formulated vegetarian diets.