Exploring the topic of Vegan Cats and Why It Feels So Controversial

When it comes to the topic of vegan cats, few debates stir up as much passion as this one. Many people react viscerally to the idea, with arguments like “it’s not natural” or even accusations of “animal abuse.” But why is this such an emotionally charged topic?

At the heart of the issue, there are two fundamental concerns: the definition of an obligate carnivore and our emotional attachment to certain ideas about nature and ethics. Let’s start by breaking them down.

What Does It Mean to Be an Obligate Carnivore?

Cats are obligate carnivores, and this is something we do not dispute.

But what does that actually mean?

The term doesn’t mean that a cat must eat meat specifically—it means that their bodies require certain nutrients that, in the wild, they would be obligated to obtain from animal prey. Unlike omnivores, cats lack the ability to synthesise some of these essential nutrients from plant-based sources in their raw form. Historically, the only way for a wild cat to get these nutrients was through a carnivorous diet.

However, what this really represents is a nutritional template—a set of dietary requirements that must be met for a cat to thrive. Thanks to advancements in food science, we can now provide every single one of these essential nutrients in a nutritionally complete plant-based diet. These foods hit all the same dietary markers that define a carnivorous diet, just without the use of animal-derived ingredients.

So, while a cat in the wild would have to hunt to get these nutrients from animal sources, a cat eating a scientifically formulated vegan food is still receiving the exact same nutrients—just in a different form.

The Romanticisation of Ancestral Beginnings

Another strong emotional argument against vegan pet food is the romanticisation of the past—the idea that because something was once done a certain way, it must be the ‘right’ way to do it.

We see this in human diets, too. Take the paleo diet, for example. It is often framed as the ‘ultimate’ way to eat because it supposedly mirrors how early humans ate before modern agriculture. However, this idealised view of the past ignores the harsh realities of prehistoric life—people didn’t eat a certain way because it was optimal, but because it was necessary for survival. The notion that our ancestors’ struggles should dictate our modern dietary choices ignores the fact that we now have far more knowledge, options, and scientific understanding of nutrition than they did.

Likewise, many cat owners see their domestic pet as a miniature wildcat or lion, deeply tied to the consumption of meat. But this idea is rooted more in romanticism than reality. Modern cats are far removed from their wild ancestors, just as domesticated dogs are no longer wolves. Our domesticated companions no longer need to rely on hunting for their food, struggle for survival, or rely solely on raw meat for nutrition. Instead, they are able to eat commercial pet food—typically kibble or canned meals—that bears little resemblance to the diet of a wild feline, typically being comprised of small birds, rodents, amphibians and in some cases insects.

Furthermore, the meat in traditional pet food is often sourced from animals that a cat would never hunt in the wild—beef, salmon, lamb, and bizarrely, even kangaroo. This further distances the reality of domestic pet feeding from the imagined idea of a ‘wild’ diet. If we are already feeding cats in a way that is radically different from their ancestors, why should plant-based alternatives be held to a different standard?

The Emotional Attachment to ‘Natural’

One of the most common objections to vegan cat food is the idea that “it’s not natural.” But let’s pause for a moment and consider what we mean by ‘natural.’

• Is it natural for a cat to eat kibble or canned food? No—yet millions of cats do every day.

• Is it natural for a cat to eat out of a bowl at set mealtimes? No—wild cats don’t get guaranteed meals.

• Is it natural for a cat to eat beef, salmon, or lamb? No—domestic cats would never hunt cows, deep-sea fish, or sheep in nature.

• Is it natural for a cat to share our warm, comfy homes with us humans? No—yet they do, and we cherish their companionship.

• Is it natural for a cat to have access to medicines, flea treatments, and veterinary care? No—but we provide these because we want them to be healthy and live long lives.

What we consider ‘natural’ is already far removed from the way cats live in the wild. Modern pet food—whether meat-based or plant-based—is formulated to meet their nutritional needs, not replicate a wild diet. And the truth is, modern meat-based pet food is also manufactured, supplemented, and designed in a way that is anything but ‘natural.’

So, when someone argues that feeding a cat a plant-based diet isn’t natural, it’s important to ask:
Are we basing our pet food choices on nostalgia, or on science?

The Myth of ‘Forcing’ a Cat to Be Vegan

A common argument against vegan cat food is that it is ‘forcing’ a cat to be vegan. However, anyone who has ever had a cat knows that you cannot force a cat to eat something it does not want to eat! Cats are notoriously fussy, and many cat parents will attest to how particular their feline companions are when it comes to flavours, brands, and textures—even with meat-based foods.

As guardians of our pets, we make decisions on their behalf all the time. 

When choosing food for our cats, we factor in many considerations, including:

• Budget constraints

• Brand preferences

• Availability

• Nutritional needs

• Trends and fads in the pet food industry

• Veterinary recommendations

• Ethical and ideological beliefs

For our customers, ethical considerations play a significant role in their choices. They seek to provide the best for their pets while minimizing harm to other animals. Opting for a nutritionally complete plant-based pet food is a conscious decision that aligns with their values—just as others may choose premium, grain-free, or organic pet food based on their own priorities.

At the end of the day, a cat will eat what it enjoys and what meets their dietary needs—whether that food is plant-based or meat-based.

Ethical Dilemmas and the Concept of Harm 

Another emotionally charged reaction we often hear is that feeding a cat a vegan diet is ‘animal abuse.’ This accusation is usually rooted in an assumption that the cat is being deprived of something essential. However, if the diet is nutritionally complete and meets all feline dietary requirements, then no deprivation is taking place. The cat is still receiving all the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals they need to thrive all in a tasty form that is palatable and enjoyable, just as hundreds of our customers cats have for over 20 years.

The real ethical question then becomes: Is it more ethical to continue feeding animals to animals when an alternative exists?

For many of our customers, the ethical considerations are central to their choice. They are looking for a way to nourish their pets without contributing to the harm and suffering of other animals. If a cat’s diet can be nutritionally complete and meet all of its needs without involving the slaughter of other animals, why wouldn’t that be a positive choice?

Challenging Deeply Held Beliefs

Much of the pushback against vegan cat food comes from an emotional place rather than a scientific one. This is completely understandable—food is deeply tied to culture, identity, and our perception of the natural order. When something challenges these ingrained ideas, it can feel uncomfortable or even wrong.

But progress often requires us to reassess long-standing beliefs. We once believed that humans needed to eat meat for strength and survival, yet we now know that a well-balanced plant-based diet can support human health at every stage of life. The same principle applies here: If science shows us that cats can thrive on a plant-based diet, then it’s worth re-evaluating our assumptions.

The Bottom Line

We are not asking anyone to set aside their emotions—after all, our love for animals is deeply emotional. But we do encourage people to step back and consider whether their objections to vegan pet food are rooted in science or in tradition.

A nutritionally complete vegan diet for cats is not about forcing a belief system onto animals—it’s about meeting their dietary needs in a way that aligns with modern ethics and sustainability. The more we untangle emotional reactions from factual concerns, the clearer it becomes:

Feeding a cat a plant-based diet is not about changing what a cat is—it’s about changing where their nutrients come from.