Study Finds Lower Rates of Overweight Among Vegan-Fed Cats
News fromCourierPR · 2 min read
LONDON, UK, October 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- A new study, published in the journal Frontiers in Animal Science, has found that cats fed vegan diets had lower rates of obesity and related health problems compared to those on conventional meat-based diets. The research, led by Andrew Knight, an adjunct professor at Murdoch University's School of Veterinary Medicine, analyzed data from 1,305 cats, with 90% of the cats on conventional meat-based diets and 10% on vegan diets.
According to the study, vegan-fed cats had 34% lower odds of being assessed as overweight by their carers. However, the difference was not statistically significant, largely due to the relatively small number of vegan-fed cats in the survey. The study also noted that no vegan-fed cats were affected by several body weight-related disorders, such as osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal and mobility problems.
Knight, who is also affiliated with Griffith University and the University of Winchester, as well as the Sustainable Pet Food Foundation, said the findings, while not conclusive, show an interesting trend.
The study highlights that 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.
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 commonly associated with increased overweight risk. Yet, the study observed lower rates of overweight in this group.
While the study did not analyze the specific 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 emphasized that the findings should be seen as a starting point.
Cat carers should always ensure their cats receive nutritionally complete diets, choosing commercial vegan foods that are appropriately supplemented to provide all essential nutrients, according to Knight.