Vegetarian Cats

Who is conducting this study?

Lorelei Wakefield, VMD is currently a veterinarian intern at the ASPCA in NYC. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2006. While at school, she was founder and President of the Veterinary Animal Welfare Society. Lorelei has also been Vice President of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vice President of the Veterinary Medical Student Government, Co-President of the Ethics Club, and Treasurer of the Feline Club. Besides her interest in vegetarian cat nutrition, she is also interested in small animal dermatology. Before attending veterinary school, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Highest Honors from Rutgers College in New Jersey. Click here to read more about Lorelei's interest in this study topic.
Faculty Sponsor: Kathryn Michel, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.V.N., Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Chief, Section of Medicine. Dr. Michel’s research interests include nutritional support of critically ill patients, nutrient modulation of gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases, and attitudes about food choices and feeding practices for pets. In 2004 alone, she was honored with the Dean’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Science Education and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Scientific Achievement Award.

Lorelei Wakefield, VMD is currently a veterinarian intern at the ASPCA in NYC. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2006. While at school, she was founder and President of the Veterinary Animal Welfare Society. Lorelei has also been Vice President of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vice President of the Veterinary Medical Student Government, Co-President of the Ethics Club, and Treasurer of the Feline Club. Besides her interest in vegetarian cat nutrition, she is also interested in small animal dermatology. Before attending veterinary school, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Highest Honors from Rutgers College in New Jersey. Click here to read more about Lorelei's interest in this study topic.

Faculty Sponsor: Kathryn Michel, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.V.N., Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Chief, Section of Medicine. Dr. Michel’s research interests include nutritional support of critically ill patients, nutrient modulation of gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases, and attitudes about food choices and feeding practices for pets. In 2004 alone, she was honored with the Dean’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Science Education and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Scientific Achievement Award.

Lorelei's History of Interest in Feline Nutrition

Lorelei has been vegetarian since 1997 and vegan since 1999. When she adopted one-week-old feral kittens that were trapped without their mother, she was concerned about what to feed them. After reading James Peden’s book, Vegetarian Cats and Dogs, she decided to try weaning the kittens onto vegekit, a vegan kitten food that is prepared at home. She was working as a veterinary technician at the time and her vet and co-workers were very concerned about the welfare of her kittens. They told her the diet could cause irreparable damage to their developing hearts. The kittens remained on vegan food for the first six months of their life and were healthy and thriving. Even though there was plenty of anecdotal evidence that this vegetarian cat diet worked, there was no scientific evidence. This worried Lorelei and she did not want to harm the kittens she loved, so she switched them to a non-vegetarian commercial pet food that they remain on today. She has always wanted to do a study on the health and nutrition of vegetarian cats, and finally has the opportunity to do it.