Study Details
Currently, scientists and vets do not know exactly what happens when caregivers feed cats a fully supplemented vegetarian diet. We know that cats are adapted to be carnivores, but for certain ethical and health reasons, some owners choose to feed their cats a vegetarian diet. In America, many caregivers report that their cats are living long and healthy lives on vegetarian cat food. There is a wealth of misinformation on this subject in the lay press, but only one recent scientific study. E. Kienzle and R. Engelhard in Germany published “A Field Study on the Nutrition of Vegetarian Dogs and Cats in Europe” in the Supplement to Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian in September of 2001. The sample consisted of 86 dogs but only 8 cats on various prepared and homemade diets. From questionnaires, blood samples, and food analysis the researchers found that in cats the protein intake was slightly under requirements. All eight cats were deficient for intake of the essential nutrients taurine, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and vitamin A. One cat exhibited signs of retinal atrophy, a condition that can affect vision. Multiple studies have shown that taurine deficiencies in cats are associated with cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) and retinal atrophy. This study is not necessarily representative of the US where vegetarian cat food is commercially available and supplemented with Taurine and other vital nutrients.
This study is funded by a generous grant from Nestlé Purina. They support studies involving nutritional issues relative to the dog and cat. Invasive or terminal research is not funded. Nestlé Purina’s Veterinary Student Summer Research Fellowships provide veterinary students with an opportunity to be involved in research and participate in the advancement of knowledge in canine and feline nutrition and health care.