A group of scientists from the University of Winchester in England conducted an experiment that found that a plant-based diet has a positive effect on the health of cats. Pets who did not consume meat or meat-based food were healthier than meat eaters and visited the veterinarian less often. The results were published in the journal PlusOne.

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The one-year study involved 1,369 cats, 1,178 of which were fed regular meat food64 — followed a raw food dietand 127 – veganism. Before the experiment began, cat owners were asked to describe their pets’ diet, health status, and frequency of visits to the veterinarian. The researchers also noted the sex and age of the cats, as well as whether the pet was found on the street or was originally a pet.

The cat followed the diet chosen by the owners for about a year. It turned out that owners of meat-eating cats consulted a veterinarian more often. For vegan and raw food cats, the frequency of visits did not exceed two per year.

In addition, pets that did not eat meat had better digestion. Also, some owners noted that the cats’ coat became better. Professor Andrew Knightfounding director of the University of Winchester’s Animal Welfare Center, believes this could be because meat-based foods often contain many food allergens such as offal, artificial preservatives and grains, while vegan foods are safer.

Professor Knight also noted a study conducted by scientists at the University of Guelph in Canada in 2021. It showed that Vegan cats are less susceptible to gastrointestinal and liver disorders.