When formulating Vegecat and Vegekit careful account was taken of calorific density and the nutritional needs of cats generally. Nutrients that could not be obtained easily in sufficient quantities from plant foods were incorporated into the supplements. For example, although cats manufacture vitamin C in their own bodies it is insufficient and so they require an external source. The supplements contain added vitamin C. Niacin is found in small quantities in plant foods but is found in abundance in nutritional yeast powder, and so is included in the recipes. Unlike humans and dogs, cats cannot synthesize vitamin A from the carotene in plants.
Deficiency affects hearing and vision.
Cats need a preformed source of arachidonic acid which most mammals synthesize from linoleic acid found in most plants - especially seeds. Deficiency can result in reproductive failure. Cats need also a preformed source of taurine, an amino acid which they would usually obtain from flesh foods. Vitamin A, taurine and arachidonic acid are all added to the Vegecat and Vegekit supplements. These nutrients are obtained from a non-animal source.