Thinking About Vegan Cat Food

As people who care about animals, we naturally discover that we have to make ethical choices all the time in how we live our lives. One of these ethical choices involves the food we give our cats and kittens. As people who care about animals, who care about reducing needless suffering, at some point we must consider the importance of making humane pet food choices. While many pet food brands contain various grains and other vegetables (all normally perfectly healthy for our cats and kittens) they almost all also contain animal products – in other words, products derived by killing other animals. This produces an ethical dilemma: is it just to nurture one animal by means that necessitate killing another?

While it can be a difficult matter to sort out, it does seem if one gives the matter careful reflection that it is most likely unjust to kill one animal to benefit another, even if the animal receiving the benefit is one we love very much. It becomes unjust if one accepts the principle that other living beings on our planet exist in their own right and not just as instruments to use and abuse however humanity sees fit. Just imagine replacing the cow or fish being killed, and whose carcass is to be ground into pet food, with your family cat. We cannot use our own conventions of “cuteness” as a measure of the kinds of life that merit compassion.

One important thing to remember is that our cats and kittens do not live in a natural state. This is not a question of wild cats on the plains of Africa hunting mice for survival. Even though genetically they may be nearly identical to their ancient ancestors, our domestic cats are our responsibility alone. Our cats and kittens depend completely on their caregivers for food, water, health care, and affection. This means that we are the ones who must make the choices and must consider all the ethical options available to us.

So long as vegan cat food (that is, not derived from animal products) options exist, it is very likely our obligation to give them a try, not only to protect the animal who would otherwise have been slaughtered, but also to help protect the welfare of our own cats from the dangers of pet food derived from diseased or otherwise contaminated meat. Currently, we are trying Evolution Diet Pet Food, both wet and dry, with our own kitties. Right now, I’m not able to make any recommendations regarding any of the different vegan products on the market, but we will let you know how the transition goes. I think that as people who truly care about animal welfare, giving vegan cat food a try is the least we can do.

Your Kitten Is What He Eats

During a short break between foster kittens this season, I thought it would be a good idea to mention a reminder to us all about the importance of the quality of the food we give our furry friends. Recent events, with the sad deaths of many cats and resulting massive pet food recall this spring, drive home the point that not all cat food is equally good for our pets. Unfortunately, some pet food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers really just don't care about the health and safety of animals; some are only interested in selling product at the highest profit margin possible, even if it kills some of their customers.

One general rule I follow is the "does the major ingredient match the label" rule: if the first ingredient listed on the label of the cat food doesn't match the product name (i.e., if its "tasty tuna" brand cat food and doesn't primarily consist of tuna), it's not the best quality. Also, I try to stick with reliable brands from companies who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting humane causes. If I've never heard of the company and the ingredients don't look like something I'd actually want to eat, then I put it back on the shelf.

Of course, unless we make our own cat food (and who but an expert has the ability to do so?), we really have no choice but to rely on the good-will and ethics of the supplier. One challenge, especially in the light of recent facts uncovered in the recall, is that most cat food labels don't identify the origins of the ingredients. Who knew that cat food from your local grocery store contained wheat gluten imported from China? In addition, pet food does not receive the same level of scrutiny that food intended for human consumption receives. Since the United States FDA so far has no additional authority to regulate pet food in the same fashion as human food, we really are left on our own until Congress acts.

The Humane Society of the United States is involved in helping encourage greater pet food safety and in supporting passage of the Pet and Human Food Safety Act. Our cats and kittens totally rely on us to provide them with clean water and nutritious food - get involved in supporting this legislation today!

The Humane Society also offers resources for current information about the pet food recall in their Pet Food Safety Center.

Average Joe Cat Show

This past weekend we attended the Average Joe Cat Show at the Shoreline Center here in WA, an annual event sponsored by Purrfect Pals. Unlike professional cat shows that highlight artificial, Victorian fantasies of a "pure breed" cat, the Average Joe Cat Show puts a spotlight on the average cat and emphasizes what's really important: our relationships with our furry friends. One of the participants pictured left, Trance is showing off her ribbons in her fancy show cage, including 1st Place for "Most Playful". In addition to the neighborhood kitties in the cat show, some of the Purrfect Pals shelter residents were on hand, some out to have fun in the show and all out to make new friends and perhaps find a new home.

In keeping with Purrfect Pals' recognition of the value of all cats and kittens to our lives, the Average Joe Cat Show is famous for awarding many first prizes in such categories as Loudest Meow, Biggest Feet, Most Toes, and Best Decorated Cage. And there are always second prizes for all! It sounds corny I know, but all our furry friends were winners at the show. We have attended the cat show in previous years, but it's always a lot of fun to see who's out and about. We've thought about taking our own cats to the show, but our kitties are not the type to go for a large crowd. Who knows - maybe next year.

For those who don't know, Purrfect Pals operates an adoption shelter in the Seattle area as well as a sanctuary offering care for hard to place cats, taking in feral cats as well as cats with long-term medical conditions such as FIV, Leukemia, or other illnesses. Purrfect Pals is a no-kill shelter, a policy I highly endorse, and makes every effort to place cats in suitable homes. If you are looking for a new friend, Purrfect Pals is a great location to find that special someone. If you aren't able to adopt a new friend right now, your support in the form of a donation for the kitties staying at the shelter would always be appreciated.