Vegan Kittens

lisamarie12 · Feb 14, 2016

Agree with above comments, please get a third party involved so that the cats can be removed from this abusive environment and placed in a home with someone who understands the dietary needs of obligate carnivores.

This is selfish and cruel. I realize it can be a difficult situation to have to turn your roommate in, however, the health and well being of the cats are at stake and that's primary.

My main concern is that once the cats are removed the roommate would get another pair of cats and pull this crap again.

Zero tolerance for this, thank you for getting involved.

kittyluv387 · Feb 14, 2016

I'm pretty sure we're all enraged/nauseated from reading this. Please get these kittens help!!

plan · Feb 14, 2016

misterwhiskers said:
Yep, this is neglect. Cats are obligate carnivores and their guts cannot absorb plant materials, unlike humans. Save as much proof as you can. Thank you so much for looking out for these kittens!!

I would just like to reiterate what @misterwhiskers suggested:

GET PROOF!

Photograph the vegetables in their food bowls, take photographs of the kittens from the front and side profiles to show how thin they are, take close-ups if you can see the ribs through the fur (I know it's probably difficult with tuxedo cats or black cats), and if she's got a cat pantry, take photos of it that show there is no meat or actual cat food whatsoever. If you can see their little paws under the door or record a video showing them pawing and crying, get that too.

Then talk to your other roommates and get commitments from them that, if you go to the local SPCA or other authorities, they will back you up and not suddenly get cold feet when the authorities get involved. It's important that they realize, if they do not support you, the kittens could die.

FWIW lots of SPCA branches have a law enforcement division, and their "cops" are something like peace officers who have the power to charge people under agriculture laws (depending on states) and work with the local police department to file criminal charges in cases where there's provable, outright neglect. You can find out by calling your local SPCA and asking if they handle those complaints directly.

And if it was up to me, personally, I'd keep feeding them meat as much as possible while your roommate isn't around. My concern is that, if the authorities do get involved, you don't want them deciding to put the poor kittens down because they believe they're suffering.

Lastly...let me guess: Your roommate's a college student or recent graduate whose whole life revolves around veganism? Only zealots and idealogues could be so single-minded that they'd try to "reform" obligate carnivores and turn them into vegans. Vegan cats. Ugh. Just the two words together are infuriating.

Good luck, please keep us updated!

kittycort · Feb 14, 2016

Willowy said:
Cats cannot survive on an unsupplemented, unprocessed meat-free diet. They can survive on a properly supplemented vegan commercial food, although they probably wouldn't be optimally healthy. But the way she's feeding them is absolutely dangerous. They probably wouldn't be alive if you weren't sneaking them cat food and meat :/. So, yeah, at this point you need to have an authority figure involved, Animal Control or SPCA or whatever agency takes care of such things in your area. It's just like feeding meat to rabbits or salad to snakes.

If she wants a vegan pet, rabbits and guinea pigs make fine pets.

If she is neglecting a pet already, please dont recommend another pet. Guinea pigs and rabbits dont deserve to be locked up all the time either or neglected.

margd · Feb 14, 2016

KittyCort said:
If she is neglecting a pet already, please dont recommend another pet. Guinea pigs and rabbits dont deserve to be locked up all the time either or neglected.

Rabbits and guinea pigs need more space than most people are willing to give them. Their enclosures need frequent cleaning and maintenance and their food, supplies and vet care are expensive. They need exercise outside of those enclosures. Finally, they need affection and attention. It does not sound like the roommate would be willing to do the work or provide the love these pets need.

kittyluv387 · Feb 14, 2016

Margd said:
Rabbits and guinea pigs need more space than most people are willing to give them. Their enclosures need frequent cleaning and maintenance and their food, supplies and vet care are expensive. They need exercise outside of those enclosures. Finally, they need affection and attention. It does not sound like the roommate would be willing to do the work or provide the love these pets need.

Not to mention they poo like crazy! Literally they will be eating a pellet of food and at the same time a round poo will be coming out of their behind lol.

kittycort · Feb 14, 2016

kittyluv387 said:
Not to mention they poo like crazy! Literally they will be eating a pellet of food and at the same time a round poo will be coming out of their behind lol.

So true! Theyre such fun and loving little creatures, but definetly higher maintance. Unfortunately, most people will never know that. They just throw them in a cage and dont bother caring for them. It makes me sick seeing them in pet stores like that. When will pet stores stop SELLING animals?! I guess thats for another thread.

kittyluv387 · Feb 14, 2016

KittyCort said:
So true! Theyre such fun and loving little creatures, but definetly higher maintance. Unfortunately, most people will never know that. They just throw them in a cage and dont bother caring for them. It makes me sick seeing them in pet stores like that. When will pet stores stop SELLING animals?! I guess thats for another thread.

Yes...I believe these make fine pets but people don't do enough research. I was one of them back in the days. Out of all the smaller critters I definitely prefer rats. They are friendly and cuddly (males anyways) and don't poo as nearly as much lol. And they can be taught to be potty trained for poo too. But they even require more attention than people think. Ideally, they should be let out in an area to play for an hour a day. I used to get my rats from responsible breeders who breed rats as a passion and not for $ though. I knew the ones at pet store come from shady sources most of the times and might be sickly.

mewlittle · Feb 14, 2016

PokemonResrcher said:
My roommate has two kittens who are now about 6 months old. She feeds them based on an extreme form of veganism; she only feeds them what she would eat. No processed foods at all, no beans, no oil and even though I encourage her to feed them at least more avocados for the amino acids, she doesn't since they're not cheap inew New England. No matter what I tell her, they're only fed twice, occasionally once a day. She believes the food she gives them is not filled with junk so they can eat less and absorb just as many nutrients as cat food. So what does she feed them? Potatoes, pumpkin, squash, banana, seaweed, tomatoes, coconut, among other fruits and vegetables. She only feeds them mushy food, so they most likely have gingivitis. The plate will sit there for days and not be finished. Both kittens are brothers, males. She thinks that's just they way they are and that they keep meowing because "kittens are always hungry." They also keep meowing because she keeps them locked in her room for hours on end, even 24 hour periods or longer when she's away and someone else is supposedlying caring for them. And they were freezing two nights ago and i couldnt break the padlock to put aome heat on for them or at least give them some affection. I feed them meat secretly when I'm home but recently I wasn't able to be at home for them for almost a month. This was Wednesday night. I could feel every vertebrae and their hips. I fed them four cans of cat food, and I know real meat is better for them but it was almost 11pm so I got whatever I could. My other roommates texted her, finally confronting her and threatening to take action if the kittens didn't eat proper food and be subjugated to be locked in her room for 90% of the day. She's refusing and claiming that her cats are lean and athletic. We tried speaking to here in person and she swore at us and said not to so much as look at the kittens. We have a 3 year old male cat that lives with us and he treats them so fatherly and its evdient they miss each other, they paw from underneath. I want to call animal welfare, I can't sleep and I'm not even in the apt right now.

First off Avocados ,tomatos and other types of foods are bad for cats potatoes are bad because of startch

the kittens need to be feed wet no grain cat food not a vegan diet I can garentee the kittens are starting to get bad health

also look for some place to move were 3 cats are allowed when you have a chance grab the 2 kittens and then get out of there and go to your new place don't move out tell you have the 2 kittens then go to your new home were the person doesnt know were you went

Willowy · Feb 14, 2016

Well, yes, the confinement and lack of attention are different issues. But it sounds as though the diet she's feeding the cats would be an excellent diet for a rabbit. I have a rabbit, and they definitely need more attention and cleaning than most people realize! I just meant that as a general rule, there are vegan animals that make fine pets for those who don't wish to feed meat to a pet.

I'm not even sure if this girl (from the OP's description) really has any plan for feeding her pets. Just sounds lazy and wants to feed her pets what she has around for her own consumption. But I could be wrong.

awesomepawsome · Feb 14, 2016

I hope you were able to get the cats some help the right way. I wouldn't condone anything that could cause you trouble because that will only mean more trouble for the cats. But, cats are obligate carnivores which means they need the meat protein to be healthy and survive. I suggest trying to educate your roommate on proper animal care. Just because it is a good diet for her does not mean it would be for an animal. And if she's worried about animal cruelty or an animal sacrificing its life to feed her cats, she needs to realize that she is sacrificing the lives of innocent animals herself with this thinking. They cannot make the choice. Their lives are in her hands. Maybe putting it to her this way will open her eyes? If she wants a pet, an animal that is an herbivore would be the better option. However, I would suggest research once more because animal care is a responsibility. And she is being irresponsible and unknowingly cruel in her choices.

molly92 · Feb 14, 2016

AwesomePawsome said:
I hope you were able to get the cats some help the right way. I wouldn't condone anything that could cause you trouble because that will only mean more trouble for the cats. But, cats are obligate carnivores which means they need the meat protein to be healthy and survive. I suggest trying to educate your roommate on proper animal care. Just because it is a good diet for her does not mean it would be for an animal. And if she's worried about animal cruelty or an animal sacrificing its life to feed her cats, she needs to realize that she is sacrificing the lives of innocent animals herself with this thinking. They cannot make the choice. Their lives are in her hands. Maybe putting it to her this way will open her eyes? If she wants a pet, an animal that is an herbivore would be the better option. However, I would suggest research once more because animal care is a responsibility. And she is being irresponsible and unknowingly cruel in her choices.

From the OP's description, it sounds like this person is delusional and does not respond well to constructive criticism. Ontop of the ridiculous vegan diet, she sounds like she has major control issues. Padlocking them in a room so they don't get any human contact even when her roommates are there and able to be with them, restricting their meals even though they are dangerously skinny, forbidding people from even looking at her kittens, believing that starving animals are lean and muscular...it's really abusive behavior that makes me wonder how she treats people in her life. Lecturing her more will just increase the restrictions she has on these animals. But animal cruelty workers are experienced with cases like this and will be more likely to know the best way to get these kittens help, whether it is by removing them from her care or education methods.

ginny · Feb 15, 2016

I just hope there is enough evidence for "the authorities" to seize the animals. It is a touchy situation where, if the Animal "Control" officer who investigates is not truly interested in the welfare of all animals - if he's just doing a 9 to 5 job he doesn't truly care about - he or she could decide to dismiss the issue if there are no gross abnormalities found. I HARDLY SEE HOW THOUGH! I'm sure she will admit to feeding them a vegan diet, which all by itself constitutes cruelty even if it is just an honest mistake on her part. I think there's more to it than that though. If it were just an honest mistake, she'd be more open to correction, and she is clearly not open to correction.

I hope for the best outcome in this situation. The best being that she sees the light and starts feeding them a species appropriate diet and unlocks the door to their cages and gives them a little freedom.

manx · Feb 15, 2016

Here's what you can do other than what every one else has suggested:

Buy some kibble. Not ideal but will last longer than wet.

Get grain free if possible. If not, avoid super stinky kibble like Friskies.

Hide a big bowl full of kibble somewhere in the cat's room, where the cats can access it but the neglectful owner can't see it.

Buy wet food like Fancy Feast Classic and feed whenever possible as much as possible.

If Animal Control or the ASPCA does nothing?

Take the cats.

Clearly the owner cannot be bothered to care for them.

Either surrender them to a respectful rescue (not a shelter, they may get killed) or a friend/family member who is willing to take them until proper homes are found.

fyllis · Feb 15, 2016

Manx said:
Here's what you can do other than what every one else has suggested:

Buy some kibble. Not ideal but will last longer than wet.

Get grain free if possible. If not, avoid super stinky kibble like Friskies.

Hide a big bowl full of kibble somewhere in the cat's room, where the cats can access it but the neglectful owner can't see it.

Buy wet food like Fancy Feast Classic and feed whenever possible as much as possible.

If Animal Control or the ASPCA does nothing?

Take the cats.

Clearly the owner cannot be bothered to care for them.

Either surrender them to a respectful rescue (not a shelter, they may get killed) or a friend/family member who is willing to take them until proper homes are found.

A couple problems with this...

1. The OP says she is not in the apartment (did she move out or just away at the moment?)

2. The roommate apparently keeps the room locked and no one can get in.

3. If she takes the cats, she 'could' be charged with theft (unfortunately, cats are considered 'property').

Pictures and videos (especially if you can get good pics of their physical condition - bones, inflamed gums, uneaten food, dirty litter box et cetra, written documentation of how long the kittens are locked away, recorded conversation of you and your roommates trying to explain the damage she is doing, a record of anyone and everyone you have contacted regarding saving these kittens, will all help in getting the authorities to take this situation seriously.

My biggest concern is that there has been no further response from the OP. It would be nice to have an update so we know if any action has been taken and what is going on at this point.

kittycort · Feb 15, 2016

Fyllis said:
A couple problems with this...

1. The OP says she is not in the apartment (did she move out or just away at the moment?)
2. The roommate apparently keeps the room locked and no one can get in.
3. If she takes the cats, she 'could' be charged with theft (unfortunately, cats are considered 'property').

Pictures and videos (especially if you can get good pics of their physical condition - bones, inflamed gums, uneaten food, dirty litter box et cetra, written documentation of how long the kittens are locked away, recorded conversation of you and your roommates trying to explain the damage she is doing, a record of anyone and everyone you have contacted regarding saving these kittens, will all help in getting the authorities to take this situation seriously.

My biggest concern is that there has been no further response from the OP. It would be nice to have an update so we know if any action has been taken and what is going on at this point.

The thing about "theft." Ive taken animals from both neglectful and abusing owners. The liklihood theyll try fighting back? Very unlikely, because after all, they could be in trouble themselves for animal cruelty related charges.

As for all the comments about contacting animal control type agencies...it would be far better to find a home for the cats independently, instead of putting them through all that and risking them being stuck in cages in a facility or killed. She could talk to the owner about surrendering the cats to her, and then she can seek out a good home. Or the poster can take the cats to a no-kill shelter. If the owner wont just give them up, offer her $20 bucks for them. Works almost everytime. All else fails, just take them. Worst case, call to get them out.

But for the sake of the cats, it would be best to try calmly talking with the owner, negotiate as needed, and find a peaceful solution first.

ginny · Feb 15, 2016

Fyllis said:
A couple problems with this...

1. The OP says she is not in the apartment (did she move out or just away at the moment?)

2. The roommate apparently keeps the room locked and no one can get in.

3. If she takes the cats, she 'could' be charged with theft (unfortunately, cats are considered 'property').

Pictures and videos (especially if you can get good pics of their physical condition - bones, inflamed gums, uneaten food, dirty litter box et cetra, written documentation of how long the kittens are locked away, recorded conversation of you and your roommates trying to explain the damage she is doing, a record of anyone and everyone you have contacted regarding saving these kittens, will all help in getting the authorities to take this situation seriously.

My biggest concern is that there has been no further response from the OP. It would be nice to have an update so we know if any action has been taken and what is going on at this point.

I'm hoping to hear a response from the OP too. I'm also wondering how these pics of the kittens were taken if there is no access to them.

margd · Feb 15, 2016

Fyllis said:
A couple problems with this...

1. The OP says she is not in the apartment (did she move out or just away at the moment?)

2. The roommate apparently keeps the room locked and no one can get in.

3. If she takes the cats, she 'could' be charged with theft (unfortunately, cats are considered 'property').

Pictures and videos (especially if you can get good pics of their physical condition - bones, inflamed gums, uneaten food, dirty litter box et cetra, written documentation of how long the kittens are locked away, recorded conversation of you and your roommates trying to explain the damage she is doing, a record of anyone and everyone you have contacted regarding saving these kittens, will all help in getting the authorities to take this situation seriously.

My biggest concern is that there has been no further response from the OP. It would be nice to have an update so we know if any action has been taken and what is going on at this point.

A word of warning: It is illegal in Massachusetts to record a conversation of someone without their consent.

I'm also concerned about the lack of response from the OP. I'm so worried about those hungry kitties!

KittyCort said:
The thing about "theft." Ive taken animals from both neglectful and abusing owners. The liklihood theyll try fighting back? Very unlikely, because after all, they could be in trouble themselves for animal cruelty related charges.

As for all the comments about contacting animal control type agencies...it would be far better to find a home for the cats independently, instead of putting them through all that and risking them being stuck in cages in a facility or killed. She could talk to the owner about surrendering the cats to her, and then she can seek out a good home. Or the poster can take the cats to a no-kill shelter. If the owner wont just give them up, offer her $20 bucks for them. Works almost everytime. All else fails, just take them. Worst case, call to get them out.

But for the sake of the cats, it would be best to try calmly talking with the owner, negotiate as needed, and find a peaceful solution first.

Re: contacting animal control agencies - the reason so many of us recommended that is because the owner of the kittens has been described as unreasonable and fanatical. Based on the OP, it does not sound like a peaceful solution is possible. However, offering money? That's a very good idea! Just as long as the owner doesn't go out and get more cats.

crazy4strays · Feb 15, 2016

Any update, OP?

I'm always upset to hear of vegetarian or vegan cats. I'm a vegetarian personally but would never expect my cats to eat vegetarian.

plan · Feb 16, 2016

Fyllis said:
3. If she takes the cats, she 'could' be charged with theft (unfortunately, cats are considered 'property').

Well there are some upsides to that as well. Personally I think of myself as my cat's caretaker and friend, not his "owner," but at least we have some legal rights if cats are considered our property. For legitimate cat owners who take care of their pets, that means people can't just take a liking to your cat and steal him/her.

It also means there could be damages if someone harms your pet, or allows their pet to harm yours. Luckily that social contract sort of thing is enough to keep most irresponsible people from, say, letting their dog loose...they still may not care about the cat, but they do care about paying a large fine or vet bills.

Vegan Kittens

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Chula and Paul's roommate

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Chula and Paul's roommate

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