Cats May Be Healthier On Plant-Based Diet, Study Suggests

A study published in PLOS One suggests that cats may be healthier on a plant-based diet compared to an animal-based diet. The research included surveying 1,369 cat owners and found that cats on vegan diets tended to fare better across seven general indicators of illness. While most of the findings were not statistically significant, there was a trend indicating that plant-based cats were often healthier.

Despite concerns about the bioavailability of plant-based proteins for cats, the lead author of the study stated that there is no evidence showing significantly inferior digestibility of vegan pet foods. The study also highlights the ethical and environmental benefits of plant-based diets for companion animals, as well as the potential health pitfalls of conventional commercial pet food. Overall, the study suggests that with proper supplementation and formulation, plant-based diets can provide the necessary nutrients for cats while possibly avoiding some of the health hazards associated with meat-based diets.