Tom as a kitten eating some of his food.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they are required to consume other animals to meet nutritional needs. To the best of my knowledge, there are no vegan and vegetarian cat foods available that can fully meet a cat’s needs.

I am a vegetarian, so I understand how giving cats animal protein could present ethical angst for some vegans and vegetarians. This is my personal take on it: 1) I can consume a healthful diet as a vegetarian; cats cannot, and 2) I have chosen to have family members and a business caring for beings who are obligate carnivores, so it’s my ethical responsibility to make sure that any cats I care for are well cared for. As with anything regarding your cat’s specific health needs, including diet, I recommend consulting your cat’s veterinarian.

Fun bonus fact about cats and diet: cats don’t require outside sources of vitamin C because their bodies make it. This, along with their innate hunting skills, are why they were popular companions on board ships back when scurvy was a major issue for sailors.