A kitten in Australia came dangerously close to death after its owners fed it an inappropriate vegan diet consisting of potatoes, rice milk, and pasta. The case has sparked widespread debate about whether cats — natural carnivores — can ever thrive without meat in their diets.
A Close Call for Survival
The kitten, treated at North Melbourne’s Lort Smith Animal Hospital, was brought in last month in a critically ill state. Its plant-based diet had left it malnourished, weak, and severely underweight. Veterinarians immediately provided IV fluids and a meat-based diet, which saved the young cat’s life.
Russell Harrison, general manager of veterinary services at Lort Smith, confirmed that the kitten has since recovered, is active, and gaining weight. He explained that the owner was unaware of the risks, rather than intentionally cruel:
“The owner was just unaware what they were giving was inappropriate for a kitten. If people have strong beliefs about veganism we respect that, but probably having a cat isn’t the best pet — perhaps a guinea pig or a rabbit.”
Why Cats Need Meat
Unlike humans, cats are obligate carnivores. This means their bodies require nutrients — such as taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin B12 — that can only be obtained naturally through animal protein. A meat-free diet can lead to blindness, heart failure, and death in felines if not properly supplemented.
Veterinarian Leanne Pinfold, also from Lort Smith, emphasized this point:
“Cats need meat to survive.”
The RSPCA Victoria supported the stance, warning against feeding cats vegan diets.
A Heated Debate
The case ignited passionate discussions online. Many readers criticized the owners, with some calling the diet “cruel” and questioning why animal cruelty charges weren’t pursued. Others highlighted the dangers of imposing human ideologies on animals.
However, PETA Australia weighed in with a different view, arguing that cats can survive on a carefully balanced vegan diet:
“Cats can and do thrive on a properly-balanced vegan diet.”
This statement has only fueled further controversy, with experts warning that achieving such a diet safely for cats is extremely difficult and risky.
The Bigger Picture
While the kitten in question has been saved, the case stands as a reminder that pets have biological needs that must come before human preferences. For cats, that means a meat-based diet — one that ensures their survival, growth, and long-term health.
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