Cats
Cats need some nutrients which aren't found in plant foods. So 'vegan cats' can be an emotive subject. But some meat-based cat foods are synthetically fortified.
Cat Food Benevo. Vegetarian dry and wet foods. Website includes a list of retailers that stock Benevo Products Contact details as above for dogs. VeggiePets.com. Vegetarian and vegan dried foods, wet foods, supplements, herbal medicines, shampoos, flea collars, flea treatments, cat litters and catnip treats for cats. Contact details as above for dogs. Vegan Cats Fact Sheet and Recipes Available from the Vegan Society Telephone: 01206 523 1740 E-mail: info@vegansociety.com Postal Address: Vegan Society, Donald Watson House, 21 Hylton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 6HJ Webpage: www.vegansociety.comCat Food - Meat Suitable for Human Consumption?
By law all pet food should be made with raw materials from animals which are suitable for human consumption - though generally this will mean that the meat found in pet foods comes from the same animals, they are not the same parts. Many vitamins are lost during the preparation of cat food so some companies add more. They may also add artificial colourings, additives and sugar.
Meat suitable for human consumption may still be unfit to eat. Human beings are still contracting BSE and meat, dairy products and eggs are responsible for most incidents of food poisoning in humans harbouring salmonella, listeria and campylobacter.
Introduction to Vegecat & Vegekit
For those concerned about the health of their companion animal as well as the slaughter of millions of animals to supply the 'pet food' market, Vegecat and Vegekit is ideal.
Vegecat and Vegekit are veterinarian approved, animal-free supplements formulated to provide (along with suggested home-made recipes) all the required nutrients for a healthy balanced diet for cats. They are packed in sealed plastic tubs, together with full instructions and helpful hints. Just add the supplement to one of the easy recipes provided. A recent development is a 'Vege Kibble' recipe which provides a crispy biscuit. Kittens should be given Vegekit at about 3-4 weeks of age. They can be weaned from their mother at about 8-10 weeks. All cats over the age of 12 months should be fed Vegecat. These products have been in use since 1986 and have provided thousands of cats with all the nutrients they need for a healthy, balanced diet.
Nutrition
"As a veterinarian, I can vouch for the feeding principles Lynn describes . . . and the quality and adequacy of the diets. My judgement is soundly based on the most up-to-date scientific information regarding the known nutritional needs of . . . cats." David H. Jaggar MRCVS BVM&S; (Commenting on Dogs and Cats Go Vegetarian by Barbara Lynn Peden, co-developer of Vegecat)
When formulating Vegecat and Vegekit careful account was taken of calorific density and the nutritional needs of cats generally. Nutrients that could not be obtained easily in sufficient quantities from plant foods were incorporated into the supplements. For example, although cats manufacture vitamin C in their own bodies it is insufficient and so they require an external source. The supplements contain added vitamin C. Niacin is found in small quantities in plant foods but is found in abundance in nutritional yeast powder, and so is included in the recipes.
Unlike humans and dogs, cats cannot synthesize vitamin A from the carotene in plants. Deficiency affects hearing and vision. Cats need a preformed source of arachidonic acid which most mammals synthesize from linoleic acid found in most plants - especially seeds. Deficiency can result in reproductive failure. Cats need also a preformed source of taurine, an amino acid which they would usually obtain from flesh foods. Deficiency causes degenerative heart disease and degeneration of the retina (blindness). Vitamin A, taurine and arachidonic acid are all added to the Vegecat and Vegekit supplements. These nutrients are obtained from a non-animal source. For those of you who would say that it is more natural to obtain these nutrients in the form of meat (usually out of a tin) then please note that pet food manufacturers themselves often use a non-animal form of taurine to supplement their products because it is cheaper.
David Jaggar completed his training in veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) in 1965. He worked in general practice in England and later for the US Dept of Agriculture, before taking a position on the faculty in the college of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. His veterinary work brought him in contact with animals used in research, livestock, horses in various equestrian sports, and companion (pet) animals. The degree of animal suffering and exploitation appalled him.
While not rejecting the benefits of western medicine, especially in first aid and emergency care, he explored less generally accepted approaches to veterinary health care, including acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and chiropractic. He is a founding member and past president of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. In the Vegepet Gazette he wrote:
"... However, many holistic veterinarians remain sceptical about not providing flesh foods to meet the biologically evolved carnivorous behaviour of cats. One outspoken veterinarian even suggested it was a violation of cats' rights.
An enormous quantity of information is available regarding the nutritional needs of cats. I see no reason why it should violate their rights to satisfy these needs from non-animal sources. It is notoriously difficult to provide a firm philosophical foundation for assertions about animal rights, but making it possible for cats to be vegetarian is surely no greater violation of animal rights than:
- domesticating cats and preventing them from hunting their own food
- killing literally millions of chickens, cattle, sheep, horses, fish, etc. to feed domestic pets.
It is hard to see how cats have a right to eat the flesh of animals such as those listed above, when this flesh would never form a part of a feral or wild cat's diet.
People feeding cats a vegetarian diet are also open to the charge that they are 'playing god' to the extent that they are confronting the biological evolutionary path of cats to be carnivorous and to be meddling with 'nature' like those involved with the recent trends in genetic technology. However, there is nothing that is strictly natural in any sense that means it is independent from human behaviour and observation - which certainly have effects on everything living on this planet.
The need to reduce animal suffering is urgent. Killing several species of animals to feed cats [and dogs] can no longer be justified now that nutritious alternative diets are economically and conveniently available.
Many of us in the holistic veterinary medical field recognize the harmful effects of regular commercial cat foods.... Our emphasis is definitely on feeding freshly prepared meals to cats, both for the cats' health and to foster a more responsible attitude and an improved quality in the relationship between caretakers and their cats".
Michael W. Lemmon DVM from the Highland Veterinary Hospital also says on the subject: "The many successful and enthusiastic experiences of those changing their pet's diet from a commercial to a vegetarian fare should inspire many more to follow their lead. As a veterinarian being concerned with the animal's health, it is very encouraging to observe their health improving in many cases after being on the new regimen".
Making the Change
Cats accustomed to commercial pet foods may object to the new non-animal fare at first (it depends on the individual animal). Don't be put off by this, acceptance problems are to be expected when changing to any new diet.
Helpful Hints
- For the soy (soya) in the recipes, try using plain TVP (textured vegetable protein) mince available in health/wholefood stores.
- Serve the food slightly warm.
- Add a little of their favourite food - the following have proved popular: spirulina (algae) powder, olive oil, tomato sauce, Tartex, yeast extract, vegetable pat?© or Sosmix (cooked form). Other foods which cats have a penchant for include melon, cucumber, cooked Brussels sprouts, broccoli and baked beans.
- To begin with mix in very small amounts of the new food to the cat's regular fare. Gradually decrease the meat and increase the new food over a period of weeks or, if necessary, months.
- Fast your animal for a day. This will not only stimulate its appetite but will help also to cleanse its body and decondition old taste habits. Some people find this suggestion rather worrying - but it won't take your animal to death's door! Always make sure you leave fresh water down during this period.
- Feed your animal while you are around - e.g. when you are cooking your own meal - so you can make encouraging noises about the food. Your optimism and positive thoughts will be passed on. Many cats enjoy eating only when with people or other animals.
- Try all the recipes to see which ones your cat likes best. The TVP/wholemeal bread recipe is an easy one - it can be made up in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. As a treat most cats (even the very old and recently-acquired) love a tin of Granose Mock Duck or Tender Bits (wheat gluten in a sauce).
- Feed a little and often to start with.
- You will find it easier to mix all the ingredients and achieve an acceptable texture if you use a food processor if cooking pulses from their dried state. However, if using other recipes which includes say TVP or tofu, it is possible to mix everything together with a wooden spoon in a saucepan/large bowl.
- Some cats like crispy biscuits or 'munchies' so use the Vege Kibble recipe. These biscuits or kibble can be stored in an airtight container for use later. They can be used as a snack or treat but they are a complete meal so can be used as such. If you can't find 'wheat gluten flour' anywhere then use a strong bread-making flour which has a very high gluten content.
- Be patient; don't expect instant results. Those cats who are used to eating a variety of different foods usually readily take to the new meals.
- See Debbie Holman's Carnivore No More for further help with vegan cats.
Nutritional Yeast Powder/Flakes
Brewers Yeast Powder (a by-product of the brewery trade) is similar nutritionally to Nutritional Yeast but has a slightly bitter taste. Nutritional Yeast, a primary product prepared from molasses, is produced specifically for the health food market. It has a sweeter more 'cheesy' taste than brewers yeast. Whenever possible the use of nutritional yeast is to be preferred. Engevita Nutritional Yeast Flakes from Marigold Health Foods is available in most wholefood shops. For details of suppliers in your area contact Marigold Health Foods on 020 7388 4515.