What Do Vets Say?

The number of veterinarians knowledgeable and supportive of plant-based diets for cats and dogs is growing daily. These dedicated professionals have created a strong community advising a responsible approach to a vegan diet. They urge dog and cat guardians to choose quality, well-balanced plant-based products, and educate community on benefits of healthy plant-based nutrition. They base their opinions and recommendations on a growing body of research studies as well as their personal experiences from their practices. Here is what they say:

Armaiti May, DVM

Armaiti May is a practicing veterinarian and an outspoken vegan advocate, living in Santa Monica, California.  Armaiti May is knowledgeable in plant-based nutrition of dogs and cats believes that if a healthful vegan diet can be provided, it should be.

"What we feed our companion animals is an ethical dilemma," she says, referring to the inconsistency between loving some animals and consuming others. Luckily, healthy, cruelty-free options are available for our pets.

"Animals do have requirements for nutrients, but not necessarily ingredients."  May recommends choosing products formulated in accordance with AAFCO standards, to ensure that nutrient guidelines are met.

“What are health benefits of plant-based diet for cats and dogs?”

“The health benefits of a vegan diet are tremendous… meat products like chicken and beef are common allergens, causing a host of skin issues in dogs. Not to mention that the “meat” found in commercial pet foods contains byproducts like diseased animal parts, beaks, and bones -- all junk deemed unfit for human consumption -- and even euthanized dogs and cats. Bacterial contamination and degenerative diseases like cancer and arthritis are also a concern.”

“Can cats be vegan?”

“Although cats are biologically carnivores, they can be successfully maintained on a vegan diet as long as it meets all of the nutritional requirements specific to cats. Cats require the same nine essential amino acids that are needed in the diet of all mammals. However, in addition, cats also require arginine and taurine. Taurine is found naturally in meat but can be supplied in synthetic form.”

“Isn’t it unnatural?”

“Well...maybe it is. But so is having pets in the first place, bringing them into your home, and providing them with veterinary attention like surgeries, vaccines, and medication. Dogs and cats may hunt in the wild, but they aren't exactly taking down a cow or a tuna. The point is, we as a society reevaluate our way of living given the current circumstances, and ‘natural’ is a subjective term. We have to look at the whole picture. What are we doing to this planet? How much water does it take to produce meat? It's astronomical. We don't want to have to continue to support this practice that involves taking the lives of animals to feed our own animals."

"It's cruel."

"This is absurd. What's cruel is what is happening to factory farmed animals. Given that billions of animals are raised, confined, and slaughtered each year for our consumption, providing our pets with a balanced plant-based diet is a win-win.”

Sarah Dodd

Dodd is a vegan veterinarian and a PhD student at the University of Guelph in Canada, specializing in animal nutrition. She is presently conducting a research study on caregiver’s attitudes toward plant-based diets. This study has found that 35% of pet owners (vegan and non-vegan) have thought about switching their pet's diet to a more vegetable-based diet. 

“Nutrients matter, not ingredients.”

“In accordance with the current understanding of pet nutrition, the importance of nutrients, not ingredients, is emphasized. A diet that can supply all required nutrients in accordance with current nutritional standards (AAFCO) – plant- or meat- based – should be sufficient for health maintenance of cats and dogs.”

“Both animal- and plant-based diets rely on supplementation of minerals to be nutritionally complete and balanced. As long as diets are supplemented with appropriate amounts of minerals, the provision of adequate quantities of minerals without the use of animal products is not a concern.”

Here is are some other names of vegan veterinarians knowledgeable in plant-based diets of cats and dogs: Rob Spooner, Kathy Krame,. Shulamit Krakauer,  Moira Drosdovech, Radica Raj, Manju Arora, Gavin Myers,  Pitcairn, Wagner Carolynn Ross …  etc. etc. Check the Vegan Veterinarian Network and other online communities to find a vegan vet in your area!