Cat and Dog Food and Care

Cats and dogs can be happy and healthy on an animal-free diet. Dogs tend to take easily to a well balanced vegan diet but introducing a vegan diet to cats may take more time.

Vegan Foods for Animal Companions

VeggiePets.com

Stock products from a range of companies which produce vegetarian and/or vegan foods for animal companions, including farm rescued animals. Veggiepets also sell a range of vegan supplements, herbal medicines, shampoos, cat litters and treats.

For more details visit www.veggiepets.com or telephone 02392 453355

VegeCat, VegeKit and VegeDog

Powdered vegan cat, kitten and dog supplements which can be added to a range of recommended recipes for cat and dog meals.

Available from VeggiePets.com

Introducing Cats to a Vegan Diet

Cats need some nutrients which aren't found in plant foods. So 'vegan cats' can be a controversial subject. However, some meat-based cat foods are also synthetically fortified.  There is no evidence that cats have any problems digesting plant proteins instead of animal ones if the transition is made slowly and backed up by good nutrition and a source of taurine.  Ensuring a source of taurine is important as taurine deficiency can cause blindness and heart defects.  Pre-prepared vegan cat food usually contains taurine or you can supplement home made meals with Vegecat powder.

Older cats can make a transition to a vegan diet too; it may simply take a little more time. 

Take into account the individual cat's likes and dislikes.  Does your cat like sloppy food with lots of gravy? If so do not expect him/her to adapt to chunky/lumpy vegan cat food or preparations.  Praise your cat when he/she has eaten a vegan meal.

For cats that are currently eating meat based foods try gradually adding a vegan cat food of a similar texture to their meals, increasing the proportion of vegan food over time.  Be patient, this could take up to three months or even longer.  Instead of vegan cat food you could add some soya mince, soya chunks or mashed vegan sausages.  If you are not using specially prepared vegan cat food ensure that you include a source of taurine such as Vegecat powder.  Mock duck, which comes in a tin, is also popular with cats.

Cats like vegan gravy but use low salt varieties.  Other flavourings for meals are the low salt vegan bouillon, tomato sauce, vegan parmesan, grated vegan cheese.  Some cats love herbs - others hate them. 

If feeding home made foods rather than prepared cat food you can, over time, try adding a few raw or cooked vegetables.  Again add them very slowly and vary them.  Popular ones are peas, broad beans, sweet corn and diced carrots.  Baked beans and chickpeas are other possible additions to meals and can be mashed if required.

Important Note: cats are allergic to all citrus fruits (in fact lemon juice can kill) and onion can give cats anaemia.

Some cats will drink organic carrot juice. Carrots are popular because they are sweet and cats have a naturally sweet tooth. In fact it has been suggested that this is why cats like tinned cat food – because some have added sugar and caramel. Occasional sweet treats for cats include vegan custard and vegan ice cream.

Don't be afraid to finger-feed your cat during the initial stages of veganism - cats love this, it makes them feel special.  You could gently rub a lump of vegan sausage in gravy or tomato sauce round a cat's mouth, he/she might run off but the cat will lick his/her lips and very often come back for more.  Work in tune with your cat's personality - if they prefer vegan food from your own plate then feed them that.  If they are very playful tie pieces of vegan sausage to some string and let them chase the pieces, catch them and eat them.  You could also try feeding meals warm (but not hot); at least to start with, some cats may like to be greeted with the aromas of the food.  Be prepared to spend time with your cat and encourage him/her enthusiastically.

Cat's teeth and gums need regular cleaning and if your cat will eat crunchy foods such as carrots, organic crackers and crispbread then so much the better.  A few low salt crisps occasionally may also help or follow the Vegecat recipe for kibbled biscuit.  You can also clean the teeth and massage the gums yourself with a gum massager, but many cats are unhappy about such activities and need to get used to them very gradually.

Lastly do not be down-hearted if your cat is not 100% vegan even after all your efforts.  Every meatless meal he/she consumes is helping the animals and the environment.  Vegan cats are definitely on the increase.

Additional Cat Care

Fleas

Garlic in the diet may also help repel fleas.  Add one drop of garlic oil or a very small quantity of a chopped clove to your cat's food.  Increase very gradually once your cat is used to the taste until you are giving about 3-4 drops a day or half a small clove of garlic.  Do not overdose, as cats are very sensitive creatures.  Most cats will accept at least one drop in each meal.  Veggie Pets sell garlic tablets and a pill crusher if you prefer to crush the pill and mix it in with food.  Denes make a liquid garlic spray which can be diluted with water and combed through the coat to repel fleas.

Grass

Most cats love grass, which they use as a medicine.  Wheat grass can be grown in seed trays indoors, a source of grass is especially important for indoor cats.  Catmint, a herbal favourite of cats, can be grown in pots for indoor cats to enjoy.