Owners who feed their cats a vegan diet could risk breaking English law. Feeding cats a meatless diet could result in a violation of the Animal Welfare Act . "Under the Animal Welfare Act, the law requires the owner to take reasonable steps to ensure that all of the pet's needs are met," RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) spokesperson told The Telegraph . " Cats are strict carnivores and depend on some very specific nutrients found in meat . Therefore, they can become seriously ill if they are fed a vegetarian or vegan diet," the aforementioned spokesperson continued in statements to The Telegraph .
The warnings came after meat-free options for cats were offered at the National Pet Show in Birmingham Pet stores have reported a growing demand for grain-free and gluten-free options for animals . "If an owner is considering changing their pet's diet, they should check with their veterinarian to make sure all of their nutritional needs are met," the RSPCA spokesperson told The Telegraph .
