A controversial new research study showed that cats and dogs on a plant-based diet had health outcomes that were as good or better as those pets being fed diets containing meat.
*Study leader Dr. Andrew Knight was quick to point out that the results only apply to vegan meals that have been formulated to include added nutrients that ensure that dogs and cats are getting a complete and balanced meal.
Source: PetsRadar, October 19, 2021. Link. “Dogs, cats and other species have requirements for nutrients, they don’t need meat or any other particular ingredient. They need the set of nutrients, and provided those are supplied to them in a diet that’s sufficiently tasty…we’d expect to see them thrive. And that’s what the evidence seems to indicate,” says Knight.
INSIGHTS: This topic is not likely to go away. The author cites research indicating about 34 percent of pet parents are interested in exploring feeding their animals plant-based foods.