What do vegans/vegetarians feed their pets. Do they even have pets?!
What do vegans/vegetarians feed their pets. Do they even have pets?
This may sound like a stupid question, but i'm serious.
I was thinking this over the weekend. Vegans don't believe in animals being slaughtered for food, so do you believe in keeping pets or do you see that as cruel?
If you do have pets, do you feed them animal meat?
I am just asking so I can understand it more. Thanks!!
1 month ago
gdshjfs - I Find your answer quite strange!! I'm not vegan or vegetarian - yet I still feel bad for insects, would never kill one for no reason or because its in my house etc.
It's like you're putting value on life - would be interested in why you think a cow shouldn't be eaten - but insects can.
Answers:
1 month ago
gdshjfs - I Find your answer quite strange!! I'm not vegan or vegetarian - yet I still feel bad for insects, would never kill one for no reason or because its in my house etc.
It's like you're putting value on life - would be interested in why you think a cow shouldn't be eaten - but insects can.
Yes, vegans have pets.
:)
My animals are rescue animals that were homeless, suffering, needed medical attention etc.. I would never EVER buy an animal from a pet store, puppy mill or breeder; there are too many animals who need homes and I do not feel we need to create more.
Also, pet stores and puppy mills are terrible. :)
Vegans, like all other people vary. Many only feed their pets vegan food. I personally feed my many pets regular pet food. For me, part of taking in an animal is respecting its needs. I can make the choice to go vegan or vegetarian; they cannot. I would no more feed my carnivorous pets a vegan diet than I would feed my vegan pets an animal-based diet. Some vegans may be unhappy with me for that, but that is what I have chosen at this point in my life.
However, I avoid the very cruel companies like Heartz and Iams.
im a vegetarian and i have a bunch of pets. i dont feed them meat though. some of them eat insects, but i dont feel bad for insects.
It varies.
I have a vegetarian friend who feeds her pets raw meat. She realizes that they are carnivores or omnivores and for their optimal healthy they need meat. She believes meat is not that good for humans.
I had a vegan friend that fed her cats vegan food and sadly the cats had a lot of health problems. (Cats are carnovores- political eating practices can't change that!)
mmmmmmmmmmm l never thought of that- good question-- l will look at the answers.lol.
I would keep a dog on a vegan diet,since the oldest dog in the world was vegan(29 year old border collie in Australia).It's harder to keep a cat on a vegan diet.
They make vegetarian dog food which is available at many pet food stores.
Behavior, you need to tell your friend that if she doesnt give her cat meat,she will KILL it. There is something in meat that cats can not live without and will die without it.
I feel very bad for this cat :(
This was brought up before and I think it created quite a stir. I am vegan, I feed my pets regular cat food. I am aware of how contradictory that can be, since that is obviously supporting the meat industry. At the same time, I feel it is animal ABUSE not to help out cats/dogs in need as it is not the same thing as an animal in the wild. They were basicly "invented" by humans cross breeding them, and it has now spun completely out of control. I think as a member of humanity, and the fact that I have the means to contribute to the well being of these "pets", that it is my duty to do so. If there is one thing I feel strongly about it is cats/dogs above everything else simply because I see it everyday with the hundreds of strays roaming my complex alone. I currently have three adult cats (all which were strays that at one point had fleas/mites/worms and are now very healthy!), and am also helping to care for five kittens which another stray gave birth to on my balcony. The way we treat cows/pigs/chickens etc in the meat and dairy industries can in no way be compared to a compassionate person caring for the well being of their cats/dogs etc..
*fm -sadly yes,(although hundreds may be pushing it :) ) I live in Phoenix, Arizona. Its a huge problem here as I am sure it is everwhere. I live in a very very large complex. This time of year is especially out of control..
and also what lily said, adopt a stray or pet at the humane society. Breeders are a large part of the problem!!
I suddenly feel like Bob Barker... :)
I am trying to go back to being a vegetarian...but my cats are carnivores...they need meat to survive, so they get regular cat food. Cats can go blind without the taurine in meat.
Katie G - There are hundreds of stray cats where you live? Sounds like cat city.
If you are not taking advantage of or abusing the animals then it shouldn't be an issue.
im vegetarian and i feed my dog canidae, just because i am doesnt mean he has to be, and dogs need the food to survive.
I feed cat food to my cat because cats are natural carnivores and would not survive a week without eating meat. I feed rabbit food to my pet rabbit, as well as carrots and bits of my salad lol.
I'm a vegan and I dont want to have pets that would eat meat, because buying meat would support slaughter of other animals. I care about cows and fish just as much as I care about cats. I just cant do it. I dont see it natural either, as I cant imagine a dog tipping a cow, or cats owning a salmon farm. Pet food is not their natural choice. They need to find it themselves like all other animals in the wild.
I also think that keeping a pet is not natural, pets are animals, they should live where they choose to and be free, not "owned". It is also strange that only humans own other animals. You'll never see a bear walk a duck, right?
Although sometimes adopting a pet saves its life, so Im not judging those ppl who do it. I know many do it for a good reason. I just couldnt handle the idea of buying pet food that supports factory farming and slaugher of other animals.
If I already had a pet before I became a vegan I would have to take care of it, of course. And I would have to make a tough choice between cats and fish, or cows and dogs.... I'm sure many veg*ns would agree that all animals are equal, but when you have a carnivore pet you have to ask yourself if some animals are more equal than others. I dont want to be in that situation.
edit: Objection to pets
from Wikipedia, I think this explains it well:
<<
>>>Domestic cats appear to be less changed behaviorally by their association with humans, in comparison; however, they do fit the example of an animal being small enough to control. The same hunting tendencies that make domestic cats useful for control of vermin make its larger, wild relatives too dangerous for domestication.<<<
Edit 2. Psychic Cat, I never said cats should eat bird seeds. I was simply stating what I believe in, as an answer to the posters question. By the way why call someone silly and rigid and not even attempt to back it up? You should have read my entire post, before reacting on it.
I dont mind you owning a cat. After all it would be cruel to abandon it once you bought it (or adopted it?) I didnt want to say that my choice is somehow better, just that it feels more right to me. I cant imagine buying pet food that contains meat from a slaughterhouse. But I never owned a pet, so I dont know.
I do feel love for them when I walk through the forest and catch a glimpse of a beatiful animal in its natural enviroment, or share a bagle with birds in a park. I dont feel like Im missing out on contact with animals. I just prefer interracting with them on their own conditions. (Best things are free!) That is all.
I respect your opinion though, Please do not feel like Im criticising you. There is no need to get defensive. You have a pet and you have to feed it. That is reality. I get that. Im sure you do what is best for her/him in any given situation.
Shalom.
I don't really know any vegetarians, so I can't answer that. But, I must agree with you about gdships--in fact, some insects can kill your cat! We have a choice, but certain animals REQUIRE special nutrients, & if we don't understand or respect that, we shouldn't take responsibility for them. meulana is absolutely right about taurine, in fact, it's good for people, too. gal_D's answer is awesomely over the top. "Pets" aren't OWNED, legally, they aren't even considered property. Pets are companions that one loves, & cares for appropriatey. No, there's nothing "cruel" about that.
My cat has been on a diet of DUCK & green pea (plus all the other things in it that she NEEDS). I wouldn't dream of imposing whatever my preferences might be, on her. That would be like a bird telling me I SHOULD eat birdseed. Well, I'd die, for sure if that's all I ate.
Edit: Just have to comment about keeping a "pet" not being "natural," (we could take quite a survey on that!) & the anaolgy of a bear walking a duck is just plain SILLY. It's possible to be an "etremist" in not supporting the slaughter of other animals. Not all animals can live in the "wild," we know what happens to some who do. I suspect taking such a rigid stand relieves one of any possible responsibility, & also such a person will never know the value of a mutual, loving relationship with an "animal" companion. Sort of sad.
I had a friend who is Jewish, his wife refused to buy store brand cat food as it was not kosher, she made all the food for there 2 cats, a rice, chicken and chicken liver meal with vitamins she got from there vet.
I had one cat that would eat anything used to fight me for my Vegetable currys and lick out the bowl, they do not have the same tastebuds as humans.
All research indicates the cats need to be feed a diet with meat or meat product, ironically dogs can survive on a veggie ladened diet, with little or no meat, similar to bears, they were and are not as carnivorous as thought to be, they eat in the wild mostly rots and ground fruits, consume fish in the fall when getting ready to hibernate or in the time they are giving birth.
We have pets at my house because dogs are domesticated and if not kept in a controlled environment, couldn't make it out in the wild due to their breeding. Chihuahuas and daschunds aren't really native to northeastern Ohio, lol.
We feed our dogs vet suggested dog food because one has a weight problem. I don't really want to feed them a vegetarian diet because if they were outside, they would probably be out there chasing wild animals and catching them for themselves, as I see my boyfriend's outdoor dogs do.
I'm a vegan with two cats and a dog. All eat regular pet food. I accept that humans are built to be omnivores, like canines, and cats are actually born carnivores. They eat little other than meat. I wouldn't impose my belief system on my animals, I don't even force my children to abstain from meat. My beliefs are mine and they're not made more valid if I make everyone else follow them.