I am a vegetarian what food should I feed my cats?

Question

I have only been a vegetarian for six months. I still give my two cats the same food I always have. Purina cat chow and once in a while wet food with fish.

I want them to be healthy and get the nutrients they need but I want to buy food that is cruelty free. Any suggestions?

*One is 6yrs old other 1&half yrs and I would like to keep them on the same food?

Answer 1

cats are carnivores and they need meet kep feeding them the cat food they like. Cats cannot be vegetarian sorry

Answer 2

Thats a good question.  First of all, the pet food made in america is NEVER cruelty free.  I've heard some people say that cats cannot be vegetarian and others say that they can as long as you carefully monitor what you feed them.

Answer 3

cats have different dietary needs, give them cat food.

Answer 4

they need cat food not veggies.

Answer 5

I think the most horrifying thing I've ever seen is VEGAN/VEGETARIAN food for cats/dogs. It's not right, they are carnivores. They need certain things from certain foods, and they can't get that from a vegetable diet. I say ditch the Purina though, those are bad choices. Pick an organic food like Welness or Blue.  Good luck!

Answer 6

you have give them meat.they need it

Answer 7

Meatless Meals for Dogs and Cats

http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/Fact...

Answer 8

Yedi is absolutely correct.  Do NOT try to raise your cats vegetarian or vegan.  I used to work for a vet and saw cats come in near death because their dumb vegan owners had forced a vegan diet on them.  Cats must eat meat.  I don't care what other people tell you.  If anyone tells you cats don't need meat, you need to be suspect of their knowledge, because it simply isn't true.  Please please don't make your cats suffer by depriving them of meat.  That being said, you're great for wanting to make sure your cats have good-quality, ethically derived food.  There are plenty of natural foods out there.  I'm not super sure about which brands are best, so I don't want to give you incorrect information.  But, start with a general search for organic cat food, and you'll hopefully be able to find some reputable sources.  I heard recently that Ellen Degeneres is part owner of a pet food company that's supposed to have pretty good quality food.  Again, I can't be sure, so I don't want to give you bad info.  But, that's something you could check out too.  Good luck, and thanks for being responsible.

Answer 9

I am vegetarian too, but you should not push vegetarianism onto pets because they are not humans. Cats need to eat meat in their diets to stay healthy because, unlike humans, that is how their bodies are designed. Cats were not meant to choose to become vegetarian and that is why they do not have the mental capacity to choose cruelty-free options over meat like humans do.

I would stick with the food you are giving them now. :) Unless you find out that your pet food company is mistreating animals in animal testing, etc. I would stay with the food you give your cats now.

If you want to be absolutely sure, you could buy organic meat from a local farm and make your cats' food yourself, with some veggies thrown in as well.

Answer 10

Since I can't speak or understand 'Cat-eze' I gave her a a bowl of tuna cat food and a bowl of carrots and peas. I asked do you want to be a vegetarian like me, she sniffed the peas and started eathing the tuna.

BTW: I don't force my dietary choices on anyone including my cat.

Ask your vet. I give my cat Science Diet for cats.

Answer 11

Good choice. Purina is a decent cat food, but it's not great.

I know that eagle pack holistic is an excellent brand of cat food that uses meat from free-ranged animals. Orijen, natural balance, solid gold, and taste of the wild all offer excellent cat foods with free-range ingredients (and higher quality ingredients overall).

Be warned, many of these foods are a little pricey. However, because they're so nutrient packed, your cats will eat less of it and still be healthier overall. Whatever you do, don't feed your cats vegetarian. They simply aren't made for that kind of diet.

Good luck!

Answer 12

The main ingredient in Purina Cat Chow is poultry by-product meal, which is considered an inferior source of protein for cats.  It includes ground, rendered parts such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, and a certain amount of feathers.

Find a good (meat based) cat food without by-products and with a humane reputation.  They do exist.

One excellent option is called "Pet Promise" which I purchase at Whole Foods:

No Animal Byproducts

No Rendered Meat or Chicken Meals

No Factory Farm Meat or Chicken

No Antibiotic-fed Protein Sources

No Added Growth Hormone

No Artificial Colors, Flavors, Preservatives

(You can also order it from Amazon.)



My cat has been eating it for years, she is about to celebrate her 17th birthday, and she still thinks she's a kitten.

Answer 13

Keep feeding them the same cat food all food made in the U.S.A. is required to be made cruelty free.

Answer 14

Cats are carnivores, humans are omnivores... you can eat plants and be just dandy but cats are by their very nature supposed to eat meat, while I understand your concerns you need to place the two cat's health & wellbeing far above your ideals. You can try to source organic or at least more ethical food with meat for your cats but in all honesty, in trying to escape animal cruelty you will actually be doing more harm to them, the animals you love and care for and that are closest to you. Is it possible for your cats to go outside and maybe hunt for themselves, maybe catch mice and birds? Better than factory farm tortured, diseased meat, right???