Vegan pet foods are as palatable to dogs and cats as conventional meat or raw meat diets

Vegan pet foods are generally at least as palatable to dogs and cats as conventional meat or raw meat diets according to a study. Here are some details.

Plant-based diet for dogs and cats would be transformative for the world. 

In the study titled “Vegan versus meat-based pet foods: Owner-reported palatability behaviours and implications for canine and feline welfare,” researchers investigated the palatability of vegan pet foods compared to conventional meat-based or raw meat diets for dogs and cats. Here are the key findings:

1. Importance of Palatability:

   • Palatability was considered an important factor by pet guardians when choosing diets for their animals.
   • Among respondents who fed conventional or raw meat diets, palatability ranked as one of the desired attributes.

2. Behavioural Indicators:

   • For dogs on a raw meat diet, there were increased reports of appetitive behavior during meal times compared to dogs on a conventional diet.
   • However, there was no consistent evidence of a difference in palatability between vegan diets and either conventional or raw meat diets.

3. Cat Behavior:

   • Diet made little difference to food-oriented behavior in cats.

4. Overall Conclusion:

   • Based on owner-reported behaviors, vegan pet foods are generally at least as palatable to dogs and cats as conventional meat or raw meat diets.
   • Importantly, this palatability did not compromise their welfare, provided other welfare determinants (such as nutritional requirements) were adequately met.

In summary, vegan pet foods can be a viable option for pet owners, as long as they meet the necessary nutritional needs of their furry companions. You can find the full study here.

In another study the same lead scientist states that there would be great benefits for the planet if dogs and cats were fed on a balanced vegan diet. This is possible when carefully formulated even for cats. It is question of ensuring that all the nutrients are include. Plant protein is generally as good as animal protein as pet food and much better in terms of protecting the planet and curbing global warming.

Click on the link below to read an important study which affects us all.

Eureka! Vegan pet food saves planet Earth

What are the nutritional considerations for vegan pet foods?

When it comes to vegan pet foods, there are several important nutritional considerations to keep in mind to ensure the health and well-being of our furry friends:

1. Protein Sources:

   • Dogs: High-quality plant-based protein sources such as soy, lentils, peas, and quinoa can be used. However, it’s essential to ensure that the protein content meets their requirements.
   • Cats: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require specific amino acids found primarily in animal-based proteins. Vegan diets for cats must be carefully formulated to provide essential nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin B12.

2. Amino Acids:

   • Taurine: Cats cannot synthesize taurine from plant-based sources. Taurine supplementation is crucial for their heart health.
   • Lysine: Essential for both dogs and cats, lysine is important for growth, immune function, and tissue repair.

3. Vitamins and Minerals:

   • Vitamin B12: Vital for energy production and overall health. Vegan pet foods should be fortified with B12.
   • Calcium and Phosphorus: Proper balance is essential for bone health.
   • Iron: Plant-based iron sources (non-heme iron) are less readily absorbed. Ensuring adequate iron intake is crucial.
   • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for skin, coat, and overall health. Algal oil (derived from algae) is a vegan source of DHA and EPA.

4. Fiber Content:

   • Vegan diets tend to be higher in fiber. While this can benefit some dogs (e.g., those with weight management issues), it may not suit all cats.

5. Digestibility:

   • Plant-based proteins may have lower digestibility compared to animal-based proteins. Ensuring proper nutrient absorption is essential.

6. Consult a Veterinarian:

   • Before transitioning to a vegan diet, consult a veterinarian. They can guide you on formulating a balanced diet and monitor your pet’s health.

Remember that each pet is unique, and their nutritional needs can vary. If you choose a vegan diet for your pet, work closely with a veterinarian to create a well-balanced and nutritionally complete meal plan. 🐾🌱

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Middle-aged women can be happier if they eat more plant-based protein!

When you become older and when you are old, health is vitally important in achieving your objective of being as happy as possible (our ultimate objective). Ill-health makes you miserable. Being healthy helps to make you happier. The two are inextricably linked. 💚

Also linked to being healthy is your diet. A good healthy diet will therefore make you happier. Yes, I realise it is a bit boring thinking about plant-based proteins BUT...there are bigtime advantages. By far the most important thing in the lives of our more elderly citizens is their HEALTH 😆. Nothing compares.

And there is some brand-new research on the Internet right now concerning middle-aged women. I'm concerned about the health of middle-aged women because lots of them live with cats and I want them to be healthy so that they can look after their cats in a really excellent way, which, by the way, begs the question as to whether domestic cats can also eat food based on plant protein. 

RELATED: Are plant proteins as good as animal proteins for cats?

There's a product on the market right now which permits that. You might investigate it. I did but my cat didn't like it! But I think a plant-based food for cats might be advantageous in terms of feline health which sounds strange but research it and be open to a change of mind.

RELATED: A vegetarian cat? No. But manufactured vegetarian cat food containing all the necessary nutrients. Yes.

To return to middle-aged women which is the subject of this article. The Times reports in a snippet of news today that "middle-aged women should eat more plant-based protein to boost long-term health."

The article is based on research published on January 17, 2014 coming from Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Centre on Ageing at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

The study of 48,000 women found less heart disease, less cancer, less diabetes and less cognitive decline and mental health issues for those who ate more plant protein.

The researchers believe that it isn't the actual protein it makes a difference but the plant diet itself. They looked at the health of women from 1984 to 2016 and compared their diets with their health today.

The lead author of the study, Andres Ardisson Korat, said that:

"Consuming protein in midlife was linked to promoting good health in older adults at. We also found that the source of protein matters. Getting the majority of your protein from plant sources at midlife, plus a small amount of animal protein seems to be conductive to good health and good survival to older ages."

He added:

“Dietary protein intake, especially plant protein, in midlife plays an important role in the promotion of healthy aging and in maintaining positive health status at older ages,” Ardisson Korat said.

So, ladies, give it a try please. Start when you are young and you'll almost certainly be happier when you are old. And you'll probably be slimmer too. Maintaining a good BMI is very important to general health and happiness. I know it is hard but the benefits outweigh the downsides.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

How do I turn my cat vegan? I don't want her to eat meat because it's not right.

Benevo wet and dry. Balanced?

Well, a lot of people would say that the person asking the question is mad. They remind us that cats are 'obligate carnivores'. Yep, we know that, thanks. But the point is this: it is possible to manufacture dry cat food from plant protein to which you can add nutrients to ensure that the final product is a dry cat food which contains the same nutrients and is as balanced as any other cat food. It comes down to the formula of the nutrients in the food and you can rely on plant protein to provide proteins.

Important: is absolutely impossible and dangerous to feed your cat a vegan or vegetarian diet similar to the diet that a human might eat. The diet will not contain the requisite nutrients for cat health. It will not sustain a cat. It should never be attempted. You will have to rely on a commercially prepared cat food to which has been added all the required nutrients. I believe the company mention on this page achieves that but please do your own research.

Benevo Adult dry

This is the fact sheet from the Pet Express website:

Benevo Adult Original Complete Vegetarian & Vegan Cat Food is a delicious meat free recipe that with provide your cat with all of the nutrients they require to thrive.

This tasty dish is complete and balanced, having been approved by the Vegetarian and Vegan Society. It contains taurine and spirulina to boost the immune system, without the addition of any GM ingredients. With 28% protein, this is a great vegetarian meal that your cat will love to savour.

• Nutritionally complete and balanced recipe
• 28% protein
• Not tested on animals
• With Prebiotic FOS to help digestion
• Added Yucca extract helps reduce toilet odour
• Contains Spirulina to boost immune system
• Omega 3 and 6 oils for healthy skin, fur, joints, vision and brain function
• Approved by the Vegetarian and Vegan Society
• Free from genetically modified ingredients

Ingredients: Soya, Wheat, Maize Gluten Meal, Maize, Rice, Sunflower Oil, Beet Pulp, Vitamins & Minerals, Brewers Yeast, Yeast Based Palatant, Linseed, Seaweed, Fructo-oliogosaccharides (0.09%), Spirulina, Yucca Schidigera Extract (0.01%.)

Analytical Constituents: Protein 28%, Fat Content 13%, Crude Fibre 3.0%, Ash 5.0%, Moisture 7%.

Study

A study conducted at the Vienna Institute for Food Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds published in 2014 assessed the nutritional value of vegan cat and dog food, both wet and dry. The assessment included Benevo and another brand Yarrah. The focused on Benevo Duo.

Benevo Duo - for cats & dogs (same food)

Benevo Duo cats was found to meet most of the minimum fulfilment requirements the cats consuming this vegan pet food. They say that the majority of daily nutrient requirements were met with the exception of energy, kilocalories and crude protein. It is suggested to meet the total of these requirements to help with the vegan cat food supplements to ensure the health of their cat. 

This food is both a dog and cat food (hence 'duo') which is very strange because normally cat food is too rich for dogs and dog food is not rich enough cats. That's possibly why this study found that this particular version of vegan cat food was not quite up to scratch in terms of energy and crude protein. 

But the Benevo Adult Original Complete Vegetarian and Vegan Cat Food mentioned above appears to be as balanced as any other dry cat food.

Vegans have just 30% of the dietary environmental impact of high-meat eaters.

This is about cat owners becoming vegans as they should because they love cats and should love animals and if you love animals, you should love nature and if you want to protect nature and the animals that live in it you should do you bit to stop global warming!! Phew.

Vegans harm the planet a lot less than meat-eaters. No surprise, I guess. Here are some details from an Oxford University study: Low meat diets reduce environmental harm from food production.

• Vegans have just 30% of the dietary environmental impact of high-meat eaters;
• Vegans also had just 25% of the dietary impact for land use;
• Vegans have just 46% of the dietary impact for water use;
• Vegans have just 27% of the dietary impact for water pollution;
• Vegans have just 34% of the dietary impact for biodiversity (i.e. detriments to biodiversity).

The study concluded “that even the least sustainable vegan diet was still more environmentally-friendly than the most sustainable meat eater’s diet.” And that doesn’t include the abuse and killing of animals.

Deforestation for cattle farming. Image in public domain.

The researchers took information from over 55,000 individuals. The scientists are from the Livestock, Environment and People project at the University of Oxford. The participants classified themselves as vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or meat eaters.

Data on the environmental impact of their diets was assessed in relation to biodiversity loss, water pollution risk, water use, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

It took into account how and where the food was produced. There were substantial variations according to where and how the food was produced. But the relationship between environmental impact and animal-based food consumption is clear they said.

They want action to reduce production and consumption of meat. The report on the project is published in Nature Food.

RELATED: Be a better cat caregiver by being healthier in consuming olive oil and going vegetarian for 6 months.

The global food system as they called it is responsible for 70% of the world's freshwater. They also reported that around 75% of the land area of the planet excluding those areas covered by ice have been affected by human use primarily for agriculture and land use change such as deforestation causing biodiversity loss.

The lead author is Prof Peter Scarborough of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University.

He said:

Our dietary choices have a big impact on the planet. Cherry-picking data on high impact plant-based food or low impact meat can obscure the clear relationship between animal-based foods and the environment. Our results, which use data from over 38,000 farms in over 100 countries, show that high meat diets have the biggest impact for many important environmental indicators, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Cutting down the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can make a big difference to your dietary footprint.”

Past research would support this research and that plant-based diets have a much lower impact on greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water use and also reducing meat intake tends to be healthier.