What standpoint does Animal Control, in general, take regarding people/associations who stick to vegetarian/vegan diets for cats? Is such a thing a cause for intervention?
The reason I'm asking is that one German no-kill animal shelter (north of here) has already been feeding the dogs vegetarian diets for about three years, and is once again attempting to switch the cats over. When I contacted the German equivalent of the national humane society, I got a form letter saying they "supported the efforts of the shelter to promote healthy diets"!!!!Originally Posted by linda_of_pgff
In most jurisdictions, I think there is provision for action when someone deprives an animal of wholesome nutrition. Depriving a carnivore of animal protein, something essential to its health over time, might be worth considering, at least, as a point for raising with an owner.
Linda
Thanks Mark!Originally Posted by Mark Kumpf
There are no legal repercussions that I am aware of. I have several friends with PeTA whose pets are on veg diets and the animals all appear healthy and alert.
Hi,Originally Posted by vinceneilsgirl
Thanks Mark!
You guys, he answered your question. He's the expert.
linda_of_pgff said:<<I'm happily vegetarian, and yes, it does sometimes disturb me to realize that I made a committment to care for these animals that require meat to live normally. But that does not mean that I feel the need to "convert" them to eating my diet! I'm convinced by all I have read, that dogs and people can be vegetarians, but cats in my house will not be required to become dogs or people!>>
Hi Linda,
I totally agree. I'm been a vegerarian and now vegan almost my entire life.
I don't like feeding my cats meat but I'm not going to take a chance on their health.
Ellen
Waldorf
That's all fine and dandy but you seem to be forgetting that the question Jcat asked was; "What standpoint does Animal Control, in general, take regarding people/associations who stick to vegetarian/vegan diets for cats? Is such a thing a cause for intervention?" She didn't ask anything about nutrition.Originally Posted by linda_of_pgff
Hi,
He is an expert on animal control enforcement, perhaps. Mr. Kumpf is a nice guy, but he is not necessarily an expert on nutriton for dogs, cats, or any other species. My own views on this rely on a number of published books, the opinion of a biochemist and several veterinarians.
Different species DO have different nutritional needs; they fill different ecological niches.
With all due respect, I'd rather see citations than opinions.
Here is some authoritative information for your consideration:
The Vegetarian Society UK
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/repo...e-of-diet.html
The Winn Feline Foundation -
and there are others, but these are good for a start -- note that the first is from a source that might be expected to promote vegetarian cats if there were good basis for doing so, in particular!
Honestly...Originally Posted by vinceneilsgirl
That's all fine and dandy but you seem to be forgetting that the question Jcat asked was; "What standpoint does Animal Control, in general, take regarding people/associations who stick to vegetarian/vegan diets for cats? Is such a thing a cause for intervention?" She didn't ask anything about nutrition.
I have never understood people who ask an expert on a subject a question and then if they don't like the answer try to act like that wasn't what they asked. Odd.
Actually, the scientific evidence does prove that humans do better on a vegan diet. But yes, it would be wise to move this to a different forum if we're going to get into that type of discussion.Originally Posted by Spotz
Vegan diets, grocery store diets, premium diets, etc...all can be used to provide a sufficient level of nutrition for the feline to live a long life, but there is still no scientific evidence to suggest that any SPECIES does better on a diet formulated contrary to their natural diet.
Would you say that a human's natural diet is Vegan? If so, then I believe I accurately stated the truth.Originally Posted by vinceneilsgirl
Actually, the scientific evidence does prove that humans do better on a vegan diet. But yes, it would be wise to move this to a different forum if we're going to get into that type of discussion.