A strange case has prompted in North Melbourne, in Lort Smith Animal hospital. A veterinarian that works there Leanne Pinfold said a kitten in a very bad condition was brought in by its owners, who were believed to be vegans.
The vet said that the kitten was forced on a diet of potatoes, rice milk and pasta, and this led to the kitten becoming very sick. Dr. Pinfold said that the kitten “was extremely weak and collapsed when it came in. It was almost non-responsive”.
The kitten stayed in the hospital for three days, where it was properly treated, it was placed on a heating pad, was given fluids and was fed with meat. They also gave meat to the owners to feed their pet.
Cats are natural carnivores and need the meat to survive, said the doctor. People are putting their pets in danger by forcing on them their own ideologies. “Concern for animal welfare has to include a biologically-appropriate diet,” said Dr. Pinfold, and added that “carnivores will seek out meat and your cat is possibly more likely to go hunting and kill local native fauna if you deprive it of meat.”
The doctor suggests that if you are uncomfortable with your pet eating meat, you should think about getting a herbivore, such as a rabbit.