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Ethics and environment

Can vegans keep pets?

Short answer

Yes. Adopting from a shelter fits the ethic. Cats are obligate carnivores — vegan cat food is contested and risky; dogs are more flexible, but the call should come from a vet, not an ideology.

Buying pedigree breeds with known health defects clashes with vegan ethics more than living with a dog. Adoption beats a pet shop.

Food: cats need taurine and nutrients plants do not reliably supply. Do not experiment on a cat to prove a point.

Sources

  1. General FAQs — The Vegan Society

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