Find the right food for your pet
Find the right food for your pet
Published On August 21, 2026

Does Vegetarian or Vegan Cat Food Support Healthy Feline Nutrition?

Expert Reviewed

Written By

Dr. Karen Louis Dr. Karen Louis

Reviewed By

Hill's Veterinary Experts Hill's Veterinary Experts
White cat sniffing green peas on a blue plate paw prints

Key Takeaways

  • Cats need the nutrients found in meat to have complete and balanced nutrition.

  • There is no evidence showing that a vegan (no animal products) meal plan is healthy or safe for cats in the long run.

  • Vegetarian (no meat but some animal products) meal plans lack the amino acids needed for a cat's complete and balanced nutrition.

  • Skin disease and brain damage are among possible side effects from a feline meal plan lacking the vitamins and nutrients found in meat.

  • Your veterinarian can help transition your cat from a non-meat meal plan to one with complete and balanced nutrition.

Vegetarian and vegan lifestyles are becoming increasingly popular for people. So it's natural for a vegetarian or vegan to wonder if they should feed their cat similarly. 

But can cats be vegan, meaning they consume no meat, eggs or dairy products? Or can cats be vegetarian, meaning they consume no meat or fish but do eat eggs and dairy? 

While these meal plans may have health benefits for people, cats are a different species, with unique nutritional needs. Your best resource is asking your veterinarian for their recommendations for your cat. Knowing more about vegan and vegetarian cat food can also help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.

Black cat eating food from a white bowl

Do Cats Need Meat?

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies require nutrients found in meat to survive. Their predatory evolution has affected their biological design, and their bodies need a high level of protein and specific amino acids to function. Their intestines digest protein more naturally than fiber. Their sharp teeth are shaped to tear apart meat. Compare that to cows and horses, with their flat teeth ideal for grinding plant material.

Depending on activity level, cats can require about 60% more protein in terms of daily intake than dogs. Meat is the go-to source because it’s higher in protein than most other foods. 

Meat also provides nutrients not found in high quantities in other foods, including the essential amino acid taurine. Today, complete and balanced cat foods are required to contain taurine. Taurine helps support feline heart health: Cats that are taurine-deficient can experience dilated cardiomyopathy, which can be untreatable and even fatal.1 Taurine deficiency can also cause blindness in cats.

Animal products also contain several B vitamins as well as iron and vitamin A. Meat, especially fish, is also a great source of beneficial fatty acids. These nutrients are in other foods but not in the same quantities required for complete and balanced nutrition for cats.

Can You Feed a Cat a Vegan Meal Plan?

Vegan meal plans are considered strict by many, as they consist exclusively of plants and fungi. Items like fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and grains are generally considered vegan. Vegan meal plans omit all animal-related products — not just meat, poultry and fish but anything that comes from animals, like dairy, eggs and honey.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that some of the nutrients they require must come from animal sources. While vegan foods that appear to meet the nutritional requirements of cats can be formulated with additional vitamins and amino acids, there is no evidence that these foods are beneficial or safe for your cat in the long run.

Can Cats Be Vegetarian?

Vegetarian meal plans are less restrictive than eating vegan. They allow for the consumption of foods that come from animals, such as milk, cheese and eggs. Vegetarian foods simply don’t include any forms of meat, fish or poultry.

The additional options in a vegetarian meal plan provide alternative sources of protein. But for cats and their unique amino acid requirements, the safety of relying on non-meat protein sources long-term hasn’t been demonstrated.

Risks of Feeding Your Cat Vegan or Vegetarian Food

Nutrient deficiencies in cats often do not trigger noticeable symptoms until they are serious. If your cat is eating vegan and vegetarian cat foods that are deficient in several key nutrients, it may not seem apparent for months. The damage may be irreversible once signs become noticeable and can shorten your cat’s life if not addressed. 

General protein deficiency can cause muscle loss, compromise the immune system and result in skin problems or hair loss. Deficiencies of the B vitamins, specifically vitamin B-12, can cause brain and neurological damage.2 Cats deficient in this important vitamin often have diarrhea that doesn't respond to other treatments. Cats are unable to make their own vitamin B-12, so feeding your cat a complete and balanced food is important.2

Calico cat resting on a brown cushion on a wicker sofa

If You Already Use a Vegan Cat Meal Plan 

Don't feel bad if you've been feeding your cat a vegan or vegetarian meal plan with the best of intentions. Your best next step is to have your cat checked out by a vet. There are specific blood tests for levels of taurine and vitamin B-12, along with a basic blood panel, that can give clues into some deficiencies.

Ease your cat into eating food containing meat with your vet's recommendation. Transitioning to different cat food should be a gradual process, as any sudden change in ingredients can be tough on the digestive tract. Your vet can guide you on which foods to introduce and how slowly to introduce them. You'll want to monitor your cat's stools, weight, hair and muscle tone for improvements.

Prioritizing Your Cat’s Nutritional Needs

Feeding vegetarian and vegan meal plans to cats often starts with great intentions. But cats' bodies are uniquely programmed to digest and metabolize meats and animal products. The nutrients found only in meat are critical for your cat's well-being, and a vegan or vegetarian meal plan simply cannot provide enough protein and nutrients. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, yes. A vegan cat is not getting the nutrients their body needs. Vegan foods lack enough amino acids (specifically taurine), B vitamins and other important nutrients for a cat to live and thrive.

 

While not as severe as a vegan meal plan, a vegetarian meal plan often falls short for the same reasons above.

In some cases, supplements can help. For instance, B-12 vitamins and taurine supplements are readily available. However, the level of protein cats require on a daily basis cannot be met with supplements, as that must come from food. Additionally, supplements run the risk of excess, since it's hard to know exactly how much to give. So attempting a vegan or vegetarian meal plan and adding supplements is not advised.

References

1 Mark D. Kittleson. “Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs and Cats.” Merck Veterinary Manual Professional Version. Updated September 2024. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/cardiomyopathy-in-dogs-and-cats/dilated-cardiomyopathy-in-dogs-and-cats.

2 Gerardo Siani et al. “Vitamin B12 in Cats: Nutrition, Metabolism, and Disease.” Animals 13(9): 1474. April 26, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091474.

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