hey there...i have two beautiful british short hair cats. and since i am vegan for 6 months now, i really wanna give them vegan or vegetarian food. however, my parents (where my cats are living at) dont really allow it and say it is against nature not to give them meat. but i think cats and dogs can survive perferctly on what i have read.
@Daliah2603 While the vegan food isn't their natural diet, it can be healthy if done properly and doesn't require the killing of animals. The non-vegan food fed to cats isn't natural either and is often loaded with non-food fillers. It's probably going to be difficult to convince meat-eaters to feed cats vegan, if they're the ones responsible for their care. Best of luck to you.
@Daliah2603 I should add that even some vegans protest rather loudly even when shown evidence that cats can be and are healthy eating this way. It does take some work with some cats, but most aren't that difficult to transition given the appropriate time and adjustment.
I'm curious how many times a day you feed your 6 the wet food? Mine always prefer wet over dry but buying all wet is way too expensive. Currently my 7 eat Before B.G Grain. Also wondering how long the batch you made in the video would last? ie how often to you make it. And how long the ingredients last? say the 15 oz VegCat. Would I order for the first time? VegCat, Prozyme Plus and? or email me at username @gmail.com
@ldylarke Hi, I tried feeding twice a day, but the food would get dry and crusty. So, now I usually end up feeding 3 to 4 times a day, which seems adequate. The batch I made lasts about 3 days, but I also feed some Evolution dry food since one cat only eats dry food. I can't say how long that size would last, because I buy the large one. That's a good size to start out though. First order would be Vegecat, Prozyme Plus, and VegeYeast.
@ldylarke Also, I would recommend trying the different recipes included with the VegeCat. I no longer use this recipe because the cats prefer the one based on chickpeas and tofu. Hope that helps!
@anelphabet Unfortunately I have never had much luck with making the kibble, so I don't know. The last time I tried was several years ago though, so maybe it's time to try again. I would guess that you should explicitly follow the directions on the kibble mix, so I wouldn't add anything.
@vegangabriel thanks. I think i can just mix the kibble mix with seitan, and add some soy sauce (whether or not in it is onion), (cats are allergic to onion)
@anelphabet No problem. You may want to e-mail HOANA (makers of VegePet products at info@vegepet.com. They are often helpful with suggestions. Good luck!
@vegangabriel well i wouldn't jump ahead, it came out tasting sorta bland, and the crust was cracking. anyhow i'm planning on covering it with the seitan maybe
@anelphabet Yeah, the kibble is tough to get down. I have one friend who makes it very successfully. I will probably ask her if I can help her sometime to see what the key is.
greenwoodonearth Remember that Einstein worked in a patent office as a clerk, at one time. That doesn't invalidate his scientific research. Similarly, Peden's prior business selling/making food bars is irrelevant to his extensive research and legwork in finding a way to make cats vegan. Vegecat has now been around for 25 years, and there are many cats that prove it works if done with care, meaning that you pay attention to how your cats are doing and make necessary adjustments.
Nothing against it (have a vegan dog). But a guy who was producing candibars before(vegycat) for me is not the optimal source for the nurtitional needs of my pet. Anyway, if it works...it does less harm to animals, as eating meat.
Another question for you Gabriel... I've been using the recipe you did the vid about for the past 2+ months. However, my kitty (15 yrs old) is losing a good deal of weight. She feels good in the tummy area, but I can really feel the bones in her back legs... and her spine. Did you notice significant weight loss in your cats? And how is the new recipe going... you said you switched to tofu and chick peas.
@Geddy2006 Hi! You may want to try some of the other recipes as well. I have used the seitan recipe (higher in protein/fat) in addition to the chickpea/tofu with success. I have one overweight cat, three normal weight cats, and two underweight cats. Unfortunately that has more to do with cat hierarchy and previous issues than with the food. I try to feed the underweight ones a little more away from the others, but it's a constant struggle. I've had the same issue with non-vegan cats too.
@vegangabriel My cat is definitely eating... but she's just getting thinner than I'm comfortable with. I haven't weighed her... not a bad idea... should have thought of that! In the meantime... I've added in a bit of "regular" moist cat food... for safety sake.
I'm wondering how you make the chickpea recipe? The vegepet recipes give the ingredients, but not the "how to". I've got the tofu and the canned chickpeas... but not sure if I'm supposed to cook them... blend them... ???
@Geddy2006 Glad to hear she's eating. I understand your concern about her weight and can appreciate your wanting to make sure she doesn't lose too much weight.
I actually cook dried chickpeas in a slow cooker rather than use the canned, but the canned will work and don't need to be cooked. I mash the tofu in a bowl. Then I blend the chickpeas with some of the liquid and add the chickpea mush to the mashed tofu. I add all the other ingredients and mix very well. It's a very easy recipe! :)
@anelphabet Good luck! Be sure to try the other recipes that come with the VegeCat. This is just one recipe that I rarely use any more. I made the video just to demonstrate how easy it is.
@anelphabet Make sure that you also include either the tofu/seitan/tvp because it won't have enough protein with the chickpeas alone. Also, I have found it helpful to blend the chickpeas. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Wooa! This is just so great, my husband and I are vegan and we don't want out kitties to eat meat anymore, it is so cruel!! but our concern is if our cat will get all the nutrients that they need, I read you video and it says that it does get all the nutrients they need, can you list where to find these products?
@vivinhabrasilusa Glad to hear it! YouTube won't let me post a link in comments, but the best way to get this product is from VeganEssentials or directly from the manufacturer Vegepet. You can use Google to find Vegecat (for full-grown cats) or Vegekit (for kittens) through either of these sources. Be sure to follow all instructions (included with the supplement). My video is only to illustrate how easy it is to make. There are other recipes included.
@vegangabriel Hi, thanks for the responses. Also, i am finding it difficult to find textured vegetable protein so is there anything else that can be used instead of this?
And also when you say 'quick oats' do u mean porridge oats that cook quickly?
@steph4691 Yes, the quick cooking porridge oats are what I mean. The TVP can be substituted with Tofu. There are also other recipes that you can use. Did you already get the VegeCat (or VegeKit)? That should come with several recipes. Also, there is a guide for cats and one for kittens available as a free PDF on the Vegepet website. It is filled with recipes. It should have the amount of tofu needed if making this recipe.
hi, thanks very much for the video. will deffo be making some of that but i was just wondering if there is something else, something a bit healthier that i can put in instead of the soy sauce?
@steph4691 Hi, Steph. You can use sea salt instead. The VegeCat supplement comes with recipes that give both options. This small amount of added sodium is necessary to make the diet complete for cats.
Thanks Gabriel ! i am about to make my pets vegan . Is there a synthetic taurine in the supplements you added, is that something cats have to have to keep from going blind?
@labshevegan Glad to help! Yes, it contains synthetic taurine and arachidonic acid (both necessary for cats but usually found only in animal tissue) as well as other vitamins/minerals that are important to ensure adequate nutrition for cats. Good luck. Let me know if you need help!
Great video, Gabriel! You did a nice job of showing people how to prepare vegan cat food for their cats at home. It's simpler than most people realize, and it looks like your cats think it's yum-tastic! :)
@JustSiouxMe Do a Google search. Antifreeze poisoning is extremely common with cats, and I'm not talking about the cases where someone poisoned them intentionally.
Thanks Vegangabriel! I just ordered the supplements from veganessentials. I tried making a small batch last night without the supplements, and my cat was definitely not interested. For about a week I've been giving her a fruits and veggies mix by Holistic Blend... and she's loving it. So I know there is potential. I'm sure the supplements will help... esp. the yeast!
@Geddy2006 Yay! Glad to help! The yeast will definitely help. It may take her a little time to adjust, but it can be done. Let me know if you have any other questions! :)
Hi there... I was wondering if you could tell me if you change the formula up from time to time. i.e. use a base other than oats or is this not necessary?
@Geddy2006 Hi! Yes, I actually have been using a completely different recipe using tofu and blended chickpeas. I also changed to VegeCat (was using VegeKit) because Peanut is no longer a kitten. The proportions are a little different. All of the recipes I use come with the VegeCat supplement when you order it or can be found on the VegePet website. I changed to this recipe several months back, and the cats all seem to prefer it.
hi there! thanks so much for this very educational video. may i ask a question? i was wondering; how long have you been feeding your cats this amazing food? i would like to know about the state of their health. thank you so much!
@creaturagirl Sorry, that I didn't see and respond to your question earlier. I have been feeding my cats vegan for up to four years (some of the cats I've had less time than that). I have been consistently using the VegeCat supplements for about two years, though I also used it back in the 1990s for a while. The cats are very healthy. They still have issues from time to time, like cats on any diet can, but overall their diet has been good for them. I'm happy to answer any other questions!
Excellent video. Thanks. BTW to all the people who would say cats are carnivores so this is not natural I would say, in the wild do cats eat food out of a bag or can? Do they eat cows? Having cats as pets is not natural to begin with. In the wild they would not eat packaged food. They would hunt and kill rodents. The idea is that we should best take care of the cats. A vegan diet will do this without the death of another animal.
@TheVeganHere well apart from making the cat severly overweight and putting it in serious danger from diabetes. Dogs (like humans) may be omnivores. But cats, all cats, are obligate carnivores. And forcing them to eat plants is animal abuse.
If you really have that much of an issue with feeding a carnivore meat. Then get a rabbit or a hamster. And give your cat to someone who will actually look after it.
@JustSiouxMe Well.none of my six cats are diabetic. One who is overweight is significantly less so after over 4 years as a vegan. It is true that cats require certain nutrients that can only naturally be found in meat, but science has allowed us to fill that gap with synthetic nutrients. In fact, even commercial meat pet foods don't have enough of these nutrients and are supplemented with them. I have had cats all of my adult life (I'm 40) and take very good care of them.
Please invest your time/energies in something for humanity.. There are a lot of problems in this world that need to be solved.. Cats/other animals eating meat, is not a 'problem' you have to solve..
BTW, did you try and let the animal choose.. I bet animals choose the meat.
This is just another projection of the human EGO onto animals.
Animals should have their souvereignty.. like you would like to have too!
@HGNnet Thank you for your opinion. We impose on pets in many different ways (e.g. spaying/neutering, medical care, and really just by keeping them). What I am doing is making an ethical choice to avoid killing other animals to feed my pets, and I am doing it in a way that is actually healthy for them.
Few people let their pets choose what they want to eat (cats would eat antifreeze if allowed to do so), so I don't think that's a valid argument.
@vegangabriel Well you are right, in the first sentence.. more valid in my eyes is, when you feed it to your cat or dog from birth.. not halfway their life.
The paradox is quite big.. I know these people saying 'I love animals so very much', and then it appears they have a pet.. How is that possible.. loving animals and keep them in captivity..
How is it ethical, if the animal didn't choose? The antifreeze statement is ignorent.
I am sorry, but I DO love animals, I don't own or restrict animals
@HGNnet I don't see why it makes any difference at what age you start feeding it to them. Both old and young are healthy and happy. I get your point about keeping pets. However, with domestic animals, the choice is to care for them or put them out in the streets and wish them luck. Their lives will likely be cut short, they'll suffer the elements, and multiply like crazy. I'd rather care for and love them, realizing all the while that this is a compromise (an imposition) benefiting both,
@HGNnet Also, you may think the antifreeze statement is ignorant; however, many cats die because this sweet tasting poison attracts them. Thus, the choice results in their death.
@HGNnet My point is NOT to say that it's the animals' fault (obviously it's not) but rather to show that their choices do not necessarily result in what is best for them or anyone else. Thus, if an animal would choose meat over a balanced non-meat food, that doesn't really tell us anything about the acceptability of feeding them a palatable, healthy non-meat food that they WILL eat.
Cats are OBLIGATE carnivores. Feeding vegetables which have been "enhanced" with nutrients to a cat is as bad as feeding rabbits steak "enhanced" with nutrients.
@FrontalTraction Contrary to popular belief, cats can live healthy and happy lives on vegan food if and only if it is prepared in a way that meets their nutritional needs. This does require choosing certain higher protein foods--not just vegetables :o) -- and some supplementation, as mentioned in the video. It's really not all that different from the added vitamins and minerals in conventional cat food.
@vegangabriel says who??? do you think in the wild they would go for the carrots instead of mice and birds. I DONT THINK SO. If you want a vegan pet get a rabbit!!!! How can you impose your beliefs on other species??!!! Jeezz!!! As I one heard a vegan say humans don't have claws or canines, which would suggest we are not build to be carnivores, well cats do have claws, long and sharp canines and a shorter intestine in order to hunt, kill, eat and digest prey!!!
As long as certain nutrients are present, cats can be vegan. The AAFCO is hardly a vegan organization, but they have guidelines for meeting a cat's nutritional needs regardless of what the source of protein is.
How many people feed their cats live mice and birds? BTW, natural does not mean ethical nor does it always mean that it will always be the best thing for an animal. Cats in the wild unfortunately do not live very long lives.
@vegangabriel Thanks for your reply and your decency, but I just find it a bit egotistic to try to go against nature, cats as well as their bigger cousins have evolved for centuries as carnivores and it is a bit far-fetched to try to change that, I believe nature is wise and if carnivores exist it is for a very good reason. I am fine with humans being vegan for ethical concerns, but ethics is a concept that does not exist in nature, animals go with their instincts.
@kikigi78 We are going against nature all the time. Keeping and feeding pets is going against nature. Driving a car goes against nature. Using a computer to comment on YouTube about someone's vegan cats is going against nature. We do things contrary to nature all the time, some are wise and some not so wise. Once we are keeping and feeding pets, we have a choice to be ethical and IMO feeding them animals is not ethical.
@vegangabriel And thus carnivores will eat other animals in order to survive. There are people who feed their pets a raw diet, basically fresh raw meat and bones, and even though cats can survive on vegan supplemented diets I do not think they will thrive on these diets. Also I ask myself how healthy it is to live a life on synthetic supplements. Ultimately I think it is a bit like playing God. I also ask you, even though you manage to transition your cats, what about the other wild carnivores?
@kikigi78 I understand why carnivores in the wild eat other animals. It is their nature to survive. That still doesn't mean that I should kill some animals (directly or through a mercenary in the slaughterhouse) to feed to the animals in my life. If making my cats vegan is playing God, so be it. There are vegan cats that have lived into their 20s. The BARF diet sounds logical, but I don't consider it ethical and besides it falls short on key nutrients unless supplemented.
@nnndddnnnddd You can read some of the research on Wikipedia under Raw_feeding.
I only mentioned BARF in response to kikigi78. I am not going to go back and forth on this subject of raw diets, as that isn't my purpose in posting this video. My purpose here is to encourage and educate those who want to feed their pets without supporting the slaughter of other animals.
@kikigi78 Also do you comment on people feeding their cats commercially available foods like Purina and Science Diet because all of those use synthetic nutrients in addition to all the rendered animal waste?
@vegangabriel They kill and eat other animals, that's just how nature is, and cats should not pay for human mistakes, I agree with you on one point, factory farming is unethical and it should be changed, but cats should not pay for our human mistakes. Cheers
@kikigi78 Our cats are not suffering. They are healthy, playful, and happy. Their coats are soft and shiny. BTW, I don't just find factory farming abhorrent, I believe that ALL animal slavery and exploitation is wrong. Petting a cow or giving her a name does not entitle us to then shoot her between the eyes. Humane slaughter is an oxymoron.
@vegangabriel is it it abhorrent the way that ants keep lice as slaves?
Also, you do realize that just living in our comfortable western society means that you are contributing to the death and suffering of untold numbers of animals.
You do realize we dont just use animal products for food and cosmetics. They are in almost everything we use as humans. From the freon in our fridges and air conditioning to asphalt in our roads.
@JustSiouxMe From Donald Watson, who coined the word 'vegan': "Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose.” This doesn't mean being half-assed or just doing what is convenient ; it means doing as much as we can, but realizing that there are some unfortunate limitations to what we can do.
@vegangabriel thats because smaller species of cats are just that, pretty small. ALL animals live longer in captivity. Not because of their diet, but because in captivity, they are in no danger from predators, and a lot less susceptable to disease.
@JustSiouxMe I won't argue that captivity makes a difference in lifespan of cats vegan or otherwise. My point is that they can still live long, healthy lives as vegans. Most cats do not make it to their 20s, but some do (including some vegan cats).
Thanks for the video, my 4 cats just devoured a bowlful each of this food. Adding this recipe to my repertoire !
petyanca 1 week ago
@petyanca Glad to hear it!! :)
vegangabriel 5 days ago
hey there...i have two beautiful british short hair cats. and since i am vegan for 6 months now, i really wanna give them vegan or vegetarian food. however, my parents (where my cats are living at) dont really allow it and say it is against nature not to give them meat. but i think cats and dogs can survive perferctly on what i have read.
Daliah2603 2 months ago
@Daliah2603 While the vegan food isn't their natural diet, it can be healthy if done properly and doesn't require the killing of animals. The non-vegan food fed to cats isn't natural either and is often loaded with non-food fillers. It's probably going to be difficult to convince meat-eaters to feed cats vegan, if they're the ones responsible for their care. Best of luck to you.
vegangabriel 2 months ago
@Daliah2603 I should add that even some vegans protest rather loudly even when shown evidence that cats can be and are healthy eating this way. It does take some work with some cats, but most aren't that difficult to transition given the appropriate time and adjustment.
vegangabriel 2 months ago
I'm curious how many times a day you feed your 6 the wet food? Mine always prefer wet over dry but buying all wet is way too expensive. Currently my 7 eat Before B.G Grain. Also wondering how long the batch you made in the video would last? ie how often to you make it. And how long the ingredients last? say the 15 oz VegCat. Would I order for the first time? VegCat, Prozyme Plus and? or email me at username @gmail.com
ldylarke 3 months ago
@ldylarke Hi, I tried feeding twice a day, but the food would get dry and crusty. So, now I usually end up feeding 3 to 4 times a day, which seems adequate. The batch I made lasts about 3 days, but I also feed some Evolution dry food since one cat only eats dry food. I can't say how long that size would last, because I buy the large one. That's a good size to start out though. First order would be Vegecat, Prozyme Plus, and VegeYeast.
vegangabriel 2 months ago
@ldylarke Also, I would recommend trying the different recipes included with the VegeCat. I no longer use this recipe because the cats prefer the one based on chickpeas and tofu. Hope that helps!
vegangabriel 2 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
@anelphabet Unfortunately I have never had much luck with making the kibble, so I don't know. The last time I tried was several years ago though, so maybe it's time to try again. I would guess that you should explicitly follow the directions on the kibble mix, so I wouldn't add anything.
vegangabriel 5 months ago
@vegangabriel thanks. I think i can just mix the kibble mix with seitan, and add some soy sauce (whether or not in it is onion), (cats are allergic to onion)
anelphabet 5 months ago
@anelphabet No problem. You may want to e-mail HOANA (makers of VegePet products at info@vegepet.com. They are often helpful with suggestions. Good luck!
vegangabriel 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
@vegangabriel well i wouldn't jump ahead, it came out tasting sorta bland, and the crust was cracking. anyhow i'm planning on covering it with the seitan maybe
anelphabet 5 months ago
@anelphabet Yeah, the kibble is tough to get down. I have one friend who makes it very successfully. I will probably ask her if I can help her sometime to see what the key is.
vegangabriel 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
Vegan cats are cool and healthy! :)
FrozenMermaid666 6 months ago
greenwoodonearth Remember that Einstein worked in a patent office as a clerk, at one time. That doesn't invalidate his scientific research. Similarly, Peden's prior business selling/making food bars is irrelevant to his extensive research and legwork in finding a way to make cats vegan. Vegecat has now been around for 25 years, and there are many cats that prove it works if done with care, meaning that you pay attention to how your cats are doing and make necessary adjustments.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
Nothing against it (have a vegan dog). But a guy who was producing candibars before(vegycat) for me is not the optimal source for the nurtitional needs of my pet. Anyway, if it works...it does less harm to animals, as eating meat.
greenwoodonearth 6 months ago
Another question for you Gabriel... I've been using the recipe you did the vid about for the past 2+ months. However, my kitty (15 yrs old) is losing a good deal of weight. She feels good in the tummy area, but I can really feel the bones in her back legs... and her spine. Did you notice significant weight loss in your cats? And how is the new recipe going... you said you switched to tofu and chick peas.
Geddy2006 6 months ago
@Geddy2006 Hi! You may want to try some of the other recipes as well. I have used the seitan recipe (higher in protein/fat) in addition to the chickpea/tofu with success. I have one overweight cat, three normal weight cats, and two underweight cats. Unfortunately that has more to do with cat hierarchy and previous issues than with the food. I try to feed the underweight ones a little more away from the others, but it's a constant struggle. I've had the same issue with non-vegan cats too.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
@Geddy2006 Is your cat eating? Have you kept track of her weight?
vegangabriel 6 months ago
@vegangabriel My cat is definitely eating... but she's just getting thinner than I'm comfortable with. I haven't weighed her... not a bad idea... should have thought of that! In the meantime... I've added in a bit of "regular" moist cat food... for safety sake.
I'm wondering how you make the chickpea recipe? The vegepet recipes give the ingredients, but not the "how to". I've got the tofu and the canned chickpeas... but not sure if I'm supposed to cook them... blend them... ???
Geddy2006 5 months ago
@Geddy2006 Glad to hear she's eating. I understand your concern about her weight and can appreciate your wanting to make sure she doesn't lose too much weight.
I actually cook dried chickpeas in a slow cooker rather than use the canned, but the canned will work and don't need to be cooked. I mash the tofu in a bowl. Then I blend the chickpeas with some of the liquid and add the chickpea mush to the mashed tofu. I add all the other ingredients and mix very well. It's a very easy recipe! :)
vegangabriel 5 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
@anelphabet No, I only make the wet food. If you are making kibble, you definitely do need to bake it.
vegangabriel 5 months ago
i'm trying this stuff. buying 40 dollars worth of cat food. i hope. it works.
anelphabet 6 months ago
@anelphabet Good luck! Be sure to try the other recipes that come with the VegeCat. This is just one recipe that I rarely use any more. I made the video just to demonstrate how easy it is.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
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anelphabet 6 months ago
@anelphabet Make sure that you also include either the tofu/seitan/tvp because it won't have enough protein with the chickpeas alone. Also, I have found it helpful to blend the chickpeas. Please let me know if you have any questions.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
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anelphabet 5 months ago
@anelphabet You shouldn't need to mix the kibble recipe with garbanzo beans. Just follow the instructions and let us know how it turns out. :)
vegangabriel 5 months ago
Also I want to congratulate you and your family for being open minded and sharing this video with us. It's helpful and kind of yours!
vivinhabrasilusa 6 months ago
@vivinhabrasilusa It's our pleasure! :) Thanks for caring about animals!
vegangabriel 6 months ago
Wooa! This is just so great, my husband and I are vegan and we don't want out kitties to eat meat anymore, it is so cruel!! but our concern is if our cat will get all the nutrients that they need, I read you video and it says that it does get all the nutrients they need, can you list where to find these products?
vivinhabrasilusa 6 months ago
@vivinhabrasilusa Glad to hear it! YouTube won't let me post a link in comments, but the best way to get this product is from VeganEssentials or directly from the manufacturer Vegepet. You can use Google to find Vegecat (for full-grown cats) or Vegekit (for kittens) through either of these sources. Be sure to follow all instructions (included with the supplement). My video is only to illustrate how easy it is to make. There are other recipes included.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
and also would be ok to use normal nutritional yeast instead of the vegeyeast?
steph4691 6 months ago
@steph4691 Yes. The VegeYeast is optimal, but nutritional yeast will work as well. Please let me know if you have any other questions! :)
vegangabriel 6 months ago
@vegangabriel Hi, thanks for the responses. Also, i am finding it difficult to find textured vegetable protein so is there anything else that can be used instead of this?
And also when you say 'quick oats' do u mean porridge oats that cook quickly?
steph4691 6 months ago
@steph4691 Yes, the quick cooking porridge oats are what I mean. The TVP can be substituted with Tofu. There are also other recipes that you can use. Did you already get the VegeCat (or VegeKit)? That should come with several recipes. Also, there is a guide for cats and one for kittens available as a free PDF on the Vegepet website. It is filled with recipes. It should have the amount of tofu needed if making this recipe.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
hi, thanks very much for the video. will deffo be making some of that but i was just wondering if there is something else, something a bit healthier that i can put in instead of the soy sauce?
steph4691 6 months ago
@steph4691 Hi, Steph. You can use sea salt instead. The VegeCat supplement comes with recipes that give both options. This small amount of added sodium is necessary to make the diet complete for cats.
vegangabriel 6 months ago
Thanks Gabriel ! i am about to make my pets vegan . Is there a synthetic taurine in the supplements you added, is that something cats have to have to keep from going blind?
labshevegan 7 months ago
@labshevegan Glad to help! Yes, it contains synthetic taurine and arachidonic acid (both necessary for cats but usually found only in animal tissue) as well as other vitamins/minerals that are important to ensure adequate nutrition for cats. Good luck. Let me know if you need help!
vegangabriel 7 months ago
@labshevegan Here is the complete list for VegeCat:
Dried kelp (source of arachidonate), Calcium carbonate, Monocalcium phosphate, DL-methionine, Taurine, Choline chloride, Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, Zinc oxide, Ferrous sulfate, Vitamin A-acetate, Copper sulfate, Ergocalciferol, Sodium selenite, Vitamin B12 supplement (methylcobalamin)
vegangabriel 7 months ago
Great video, Gabriel! You did a nice job of showing people how to prepare vegan cat food for their cats at home. It's simpler than most people realize, and it looks like your cats think it's yum-tastic! :)
animalrightsvet 8 months ago
@animalrightsvet They do love it! Thanks for your comment! :)
vegangabriel 8 months ago
@JustSiouxMe Do a Google search. Antifreeze poisoning is extremely common with cats, and I'm not talking about the cases where someone poisoned them intentionally.
vegangabriel 8 months ago
Thanks Vegangabriel! I just ordered the supplements from veganessentials. I tried making a small batch last night without the supplements, and my cat was definitely not interested. For about a week I've been giving her a fruits and veggies mix by Holistic Blend... and she's loving it. So I know there is potential. I'm sure the supplements will help... esp. the yeast!
Geddy2006 8 months ago
@Geddy2006 Yay! Glad to help! The yeast will definitely help. It may take her a little time to adjust, but it can be done. Let me know if you have any other questions! :)
vegangabriel 8 months ago
Hi there... I was wondering if you could tell me if you change the formula up from time to time. i.e. use a base other than oats or is this not necessary?
Geddy2006 8 months ago
@Geddy2006 Hi! Yes, I actually have been using a completely different recipe using tofu and blended chickpeas. I also changed to VegeCat (was using VegeKit) because Peanut is no longer a kitten. The proportions are a little different. All of the recipes I use come with the VegeCat supplement when you order it or can be found on the VegePet website. I changed to this recipe several months back, and the cats all seem to prefer it.
vegangabriel 8 months ago
hi there! thanks so much for this very educational video. may i ask a question? i was wondering; how long have you been feeding your cats this amazing food? i would like to know about the state of their health. thank you so much!
creaturagirl 9 months ago
@creaturagirl Sorry, that I didn't see and respond to your question earlier. I have been feeding my cats vegan for up to four years (some of the cats I've had less time than that). I have been consistently using the VegeCat supplements for about two years, though I also used it back in the 1990s for a while. The cats are very healthy. They still have issues from time to time, like cats on any diet can, but overall their diet has been good for them. I'm happy to answer any other questions!
vegangabriel 8 months ago
Excellent video. Thanks. BTW to all the people who would say cats are carnivores so this is not natural I would say, in the wild do cats eat food out of a bag or can? Do they eat cows? Having cats as pets is not natural to begin with. In the wild they would not eat packaged food. They would hunt and kill rodents. The idea is that we should best take care of the cats. A vegan diet will do this without the death of another animal.
TheVeganHere 9 months ago
@TheVeganHere well apart from making the cat severly overweight and putting it in serious danger from diabetes. Dogs (like humans) may be omnivores. But cats, all cats, are obligate carnivores. And forcing them to eat plants is animal abuse.
If you really have that much of an issue with feeding a carnivore meat. Then get a rabbit or a hamster. And give your cat to someone who will actually look after it.
JustSiouxMe 8 months ago in playlist Animal Rights and Veganism
@JustSiouxMe Well.none of my six cats are diabetic. One who is overweight is significantly less so after over 4 years as a vegan. It is true that cats require certain nutrients that can only naturally be found in meat, but science has allowed us to fill that gap with synthetic nutrients. In fact, even commercial meat pet foods don't have enough of these nutrients and are supplemented with them. I have had cats all of my adult life (I'm 40) and take very good care of them.
vegangabriel 8 months ago
I am very openminded.. But this is going too far!
Forcing carnivores to eat vegetables..
Please invest your time/energies in something for humanity.. There are a lot of problems in this world that need to be solved.. Cats/other animals eating meat, is not a 'problem' you have to solve..
BTW, did you try and let the animal choose.. I bet animals choose the meat.
This is just another projection of the human EGO onto animals.
Animals should have their souvereignty.. like you would like to have too!
HGNnet 11 months ago
@HGNnet Thank you for your opinion. We impose on pets in many different ways (e.g. spaying/neutering, medical care, and really just by keeping them). What I am doing is making an ethical choice to avoid killing other animals to feed my pets, and I am doing it in a way that is actually healthy for them.
Few people let their pets choose what they want to eat (cats would eat antifreeze if allowed to do so), so I don't think that's a valid argument.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel Well you are right, in the first sentence.. more valid in my eyes is, when you feed it to your cat or dog from birth.. not halfway their life.
The paradox is quite big.. I know these people saying 'I love animals so very much', and then it appears they have a pet.. How is that possible.. loving animals and keep them in captivity..
How is it ethical, if the animal didn't choose? The antifreeze statement is ignorent.
I am sorry, but I DO love animals, I don't own or restrict animals
HGNnet 11 months ago
@HGNnet I don't see why it makes any difference at what age you start feeding it to them. Both old and young are healthy and happy. I get your point about keeping pets. However, with domestic animals, the choice is to care for them or put them out in the streets and wish them luck. Their lives will likely be cut short, they'll suffer the elements, and multiply like crazy. I'd rather care for and love them, realizing all the while that this is a compromise (an imposition) benefiting both,
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@HGNnet Also, you may think the antifreeze statement is ignorant; however, many cats die because this sweet tasting poison attracts them. Thus, the choice results in their death.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel Now you are really acting like a hypocrite.. I am so sorry to use that word, but can't think of anything else.
Whose fault would it be do you think if an animal dies from antifreeze poisoning? Damn..
I wish you luck..
HGNnet 11 months ago
@HGNnet My point is NOT to say that it's the animals' fault (obviously it's not) but rather to show that their choices do not necessarily result in what is best for them or anyone else. Thus, if an animal would choose meat over a balanced non-meat food, that doesn't really tell us anything about the acceptability of feeding them a palatable, healthy non-meat food that they WILL eat.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
Thank you for the post, I have ordered some, hopefully it will be here soon!
FireFlyHooper1 1 year ago
@FireFlyHooper1 That's great! I wish you the greatest success in transitioning your cat(s). Let me know if you have any questions.
vegangabriel 1 year ago
Cats are OBLIGATE carnivores. Feeding vegetables which have been "enhanced" with nutrients to a cat is as bad as feeding rabbits steak "enhanced" with nutrients.
FrontalTraction 1 year ago
@FrontalTraction Contrary to popular belief, cats can live healthy and happy lives on vegan food if and only if it is prepared in a way that meets their nutritional needs. This does require choosing certain higher protein foods--not just vegetables :o) -- and some supplementation, as mentioned in the video. It's really not all that different from the added vitamins and minerals in conventional cat food.
vegangabriel 1 year ago
@vegangabriel Well, I suppose as long as gets all its nutrients, it's ok.
FrontalTraction 1 year ago
@vegangabriel says who??? do you think in the wild they would go for the carrots instead of mice and birds. I DONT THINK SO. If you want a vegan pet get a rabbit!!!! How can you impose your beliefs on other species??!!! Jeezz!!! As I one heard a vegan say humans don't have claws or canines, which would suggest we are not build to be carnivores, well cats do have claws, long and sharp canines and a shorter intestine in order to hunt, kill, eat and digest prey!!!
kikigi78 11 months ago
@kikigi78 Thanks for your opinion.
As long as certain nutrients are present, cats can be vegan. The AAFCO is hardly a vegan organization, but they have guidelines for meeting a cat's nutritional needs regardless of what the source of protein is.
How many people feed their cats live mice and birds? BTW, natural does not mean ethical nor does it always mean that it will always be the best thing for an animal. Cats in the wild unfortunately do not live very long lives.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel Thanks for your reply and your decency, but I just find it a bit egotistic to try to go against nature, cats as well as their bigger cousins have evolved for centuries as carnivores and it is a bit far-fetched to try to change that, I believe nature is wise and if carnivores exist it is for a very good reason. I am fine with humans being vegan for ethical concerns, but ethics is a concept that does not exist in nature, animals go with their instincts.
kikigi78 11 months ago
@kikigi78 We are going against nature all the time. Keeping and feeding pets is going against nature. Driving a car goes against nature. Using a computer to comment on YouTube about someone's vegan cats is going against nature. We do things contrary to nature all the time, some are wise and some not so wise. Once we are keeping and feeding pets, we have a choice to be ethical and IMO feeding them animals is not ethical.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel And thus carnivores will eat other animals in order to survive. There are people who feed their pets a raw diet, basically fresh raw meat and bones, and even though cats can survive on vegan supplemented diets I do not think they will thrive on these diets. Also I ask myself how healthy it is to live a life on synthetic supplements. Ultimately I think it is a bit like playing God. I also ask you, even though you manage to transition your cats, what about the other wild carnivores?
kikigi78 11 months ago
@kikigi78 I understand why carnivores in the wild eat other animals. It is their nature to survive. That still doesn't mean that I should kill some animals (directly or through a mercenary in the slaughterhouse) to feed to the animals in my life. If making my cats vegan is playing God, so be it. There are vegan cats that have lived into their 20s. The BARF diet sounds logical, but I don't consider it ethical and besides it falls short on key nutrients unless supplemented.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel what key nutrients are missing from raw chicken, bone, and organs?
nnndddnnnddd 10 months ago
@nnndddnnnddd You can read some of the research on Wikipedia under Raw_feeding.
I only mentioned BARF in response to kikigi78. I am not going to go back and forth on this subject of raw diets, as that isn't my purpose in posting this video. My purpose here is to encourage and educate those who want to feed their pets without supporting the slaughter of other animals.
vegangabriel 10 months ago
@kikigi78 Also do you comment on people feeding their cats commercially available foods like Purina and Science Diet because all of those use synthetic nutrients in addition to all the rendered animal waste?
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel They kill and eat other animals, that's just how nature is, and cats should not pay for human mistakes, I agree with you on one point, factory farming is unethical and it should be changed, but cats should not pay for our human mistakes. Cheers
kikigi78 11 months ago
@kikigi78 Our cats are not suffering. They are healthy, playful, and happy. Their coats are soft and shiny. BTW, I don't just find factory farming abhorrent, I believe that ALL animal slavery and exploitation is wrong. Petting a cow or giving her a name does not entitle us to then shoot her between the eyes. Humane slaughter is an oxymoron.
vegangabriel 11 months ago
@vegangabriel is it it abhorrent the way that ants keep lice as slaves?
Also, you do realize that just living in our comfortable western society means that you are contributing to the death and suffering of untold numbers of animals.
You do realize we dont just use animal products for food and cosmetics. They are in almost everything we use as humans. From the freon in our fridges and air conditioning to asphalt in our roads.
JustSiouxMe 8 months ago in playlist Animal Rights and Veganism
@JustSiouxMe Ants use aphids, not lice. I'm not basing my ethics on what an ant does.
vegangabriel 8 months ago
@JustSiouxMe From Donald Watson, who coined the word 'vegan': "Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose.” This doesn't mean being half-assed or just doing what is convenient ; it means doing as much as we can, but realizing that there are some unfortunate limitations to what we can do.
vegangabriel 8 months ago
@vegangabriel thats because smaller species of cats are just that, pretty small. ALL animals live longer in captivity. Not because of their diet, but because in captivity, they are in no danger from predators, and a lot less susceptable to disease.
JustSiouxMe 8 months ago
@JustSiouxMe I won't argue that captivity makes a difference in lifespan of cats vegan or otherwise. My point is that they can still live long, healthy lives as vegans. Most cats do not make it to their 20s, but some do (including some vegan cats).
vegangabriel 8 months ago
How long will a batch of food last for? Will it still be good for up to one week?
Thanks so much for posting this!
FireFlyHooper1 1 year ago
@FireFlyHooper1 Hi! This is 12 days worth for an average cat. I have six, so it lasts a couple of days. One week is fine!
vegangabriel 1 year ago
Ok, I am going to try this. Can we make the cat food ahead of time, does it store well?
FireFlyHooper1 1 year ago
Ok, I am going to try this. Can we make the cat food ahead of time, does it store well?
FireFlyHooper1 1 year ago
@FireFlyHooper1 Yes, just be sure to refrigerate it in something like a tupperware container.
vegangabriel 1 year ago
Thanks for posting, Gabriel!
electricketchup 1 year ago