Real life: Pam is raising her cat vegan
Pam, 36, from Rotterdam has been vegan since 2018 and is the cat mom of five-year-old Pixel. And just like her, her cat eats only plant-based food. And yes, this causes quite a stir. ‘Animal abuse? I’m done with the sour opinions of meat eaters!’
‘I’m Pam, I’m vegan, and yes: my cat Pixel also gets a plant-based diet. And no, that doesn’t mean I hit him with a tofu sausage when he meows. It means I consciously choose food that is animal-friendly, nutritious and safe. For me and for him.
Is this REALLY about my cat?
Listen, I get it: you’re holding a croquette and suddenly you hear that my cat doesn’t eat animal products. And then you short-circuit. I already know what you want to say: “But… cats are carnivores, right?” Or: “Isn’t that animal abuse?” And my personal favorite: “That animal just wants a mouse, Pam.”
But ask yourself: is this REALLY about my cat? Or do you just feel personally attacked because you shoveled half a kilo of shawarma down your throat last night?
“But cats are meat eaters, right?”
Yes, technically speaking, cats are obligate carnivores. That means they need certain nutrients that naturally occur in meat. Think taurine, arachidonic acid and vitamin A.
But – and here it comes, meat brigade – you can also add those substances synthetically. And that’s exactly what manufacturers of vegan cat food do. Scientifically backed, completely balanced and containing all the amino acids a cat needs. There are even studies showing that cats on vegan food can be just as healthy or even healthier than their meat-eating counterparts.
What you call ‘unnatural’, I simply call the state of science in 2025.
Vegan cat food isn’t grass with hummus
Pixel eats vegan kibble from a brand I carefully selected. Not because I want to torture him with peas and lentils, but because I want him to stay healthy without other animals having to suffer for it. His food is packed with nutrients, he gets regular check-ups at the vet, and oh yes: his coat shines like a mirror and his breath doesn’t stink. I can’t say the same for some people who approach me in the street with “but what if he catches a bird?”
“What if he WANTS meat?”
What if YOU want to eat an entire bag of wine gums? That doesn’t mean it’s good for you, does it? Besides, most cats eat whatever is put in front of them. And let’s be honest: that can of supermarket meat is rarely the filet mignon they would hunt in the wild. It’s often a thrown-together mess of slaughterhouse by-products, grains and preservatives. Vegan cat food, on the other hand, is extremely controlled and balanced. More control, less rubbish.
You eat dead animals, I don’t. Neither does my cat. Deal with it.
You don’t have to agree. But I’m at peace with the fact that you fire up your barbecue on Sundays with pork belly from a pig that barely saw daylight. So let me make my choice without immediately preparing the stake.
Do you REALLY want to have the conversation? Fine. But don’t start with “poor cat” while you’ve just polished off your fourth meatball sandwich. Because who’s actually the hypocrite then?
Pixel is healthy, happy and vegan – and so am I
Every morning, my cat cheerfully meows his way to his bowl, eats his vegan kibble, plays, sleeps, cuddles and occasionally does a zoomies circuit as if he were a kitten again. The vet has declared him healthy, his bloodwork is excellent, his coat shines and his eyes are clear. And the best part? No animal died for it.
So yes, my cat is vegan. And no, I don’t care about your opinion. Pixel doesn’t either, by the way. He’s lying comfortably on his back by the radiator.’
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