Study finds lower rates of overweight among vegan-fed cats

Study finds lower rates of overweight among vegan-fed cats Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Chief Editor A large-scale survey has found cats fed vegan diets had lower rates of obesity and related health problems than those fed conventional meat-based diets. An online survey analyzed caregiver-reported veterinary assessments of 1,305 cats fed either conventional meat-based (90%) or vegan (10%) diets for at least one year. After accounting for factors including age, sex, neuter status, activity and feeding practices, vegan-fed cats had 34% lower odds of being assessed as overweight. However, the difference was not statistically significant, in part reflecting the relatively small number of vegan-fed cats. For several body weight-related problems, no vegan-fed cats were affected. Nevertheless, researchers say the findings show an interesting trend that warrants further investigation. The findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Animal Science. Overweight and obesity are common in domestic cats, with veterinary studies estimating that around 30%–60% of cats are overweight or obese. Excess weight is associated with a range of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, urinary tract disease and reduced quality of life. Study author Andrew Knight, an adjunct professor at Australia's Griffith University School of Environment and Science, said the findings, while not conclusive, showed interesting trends. "Caregivers feeding cats vegan diets also reported lower rates of body weight-related disorders such as osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal and mobility problems. However, the relatively small number of vegan-fed cats means these results cannot be considered conclusive." "Interestingly, most vegan-fed cats were eating predominantly dry food and were more likely to have food available throughout the day. These are feeding patterns normally associated with increased overweight risk. Yet we still observed lower rates of overweight in this group." The study noted that diet is not the only determinant of a cat's weight. Other factors consistently associated with overweight risk include age, sex, neuter status, activity levels and feeding practices. Why vegan-fed cats showed lower rates of overweight is uncertain. While the study didn't analyze the foods themselves, some commercial vegan cat foods may be higher in fiber and lower in calories or fat than comparable meat-based foods, which could help with weight control. Differences in L-carnitine, a nutrient involved in energy metabolism and maintaining lean body tissue, could also potentially play a role. Knight said the findings should be seen as a starting point. "We can't conclude from this study that vegan diets definitely protect cats against becoming overweight, but we have found a consistent pattern that is worth further investigation. An ideal next step would be a larger, prospective study that directly measured what cats are eating, their energy intake and their body condition." "Additionally, cat caregivers should always ensure their cats receive nutritionally complete diets, choosing commercial vegan foods that are appropriately supplemented to provide all essential nutrients." More information Andrew Knight et al., Impacts of a vegan diet on body weight and related health disorders in 1,305 cats: an exploratory cross-sectional survey, Frontiers in Animal Science (2026). DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2026.1939965 Provided by Griffith University