Study: Cats on vegan diets show lower rates of obesity
· News-MedicalA large-scale survey has found cats fed vegan diets had lower rates of obesity and related health problems, than those fed conventional meat-based diets.
An online survey analyzed carer-reported veterinary assessments of 1,305 cats fed either conventional meat-based (90%) or vegan (10%) diets for at least one year.
Study author Professor Andrew Knight, Adjunct Professor at Australia's Griffith University School of Environment and Science, said the findings, while not conclusive, showed interesting trends.
"Carers feeding cats vegan diets also reported lower rates of body weight-related disorders such as osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal and mobility problems. However, the relatively small number of vegan-fed cats mean these results cannot be considered conclusive."
"Interestingly, most vegan-fed cats were eating predominantly dry food and were more likely to have food available throughout the day. These are feeding patterns normally associated with increased overweight risk. Yet we still observed lower rates of overweight in this group."
The study noted that diet is not the only determinant of a cat's weight. Other factors consistently associated with overweight risk include age, sex, neuter status, activity levels and feeding practices.
Why vegan-fed cats showed lower rates of overweight is uncertain. While the study didn't analyze the foods themselves, some commercial vegan cat foods may be higher in fiber and lower in calories or fat than comparable meat-based foods, which could help with weight control.
Professor Knight said the findings should be seen as a starting point. "We can't conclude from this study that vegan diets definitely protect cats against becoming overweight, but we have found a consistent pattern that is worth further investigation. An ideal next step would be a larger, prospective study that directly measured what cats are eating, their energy intake and their body condition."
"Additionally, cat carers should always ensure their cats receive nutritionally complete diets, choosing commercial vegan foods that are appropriately supplemented to provide all essential nutrients."
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