I have a few questions about vegans/vegetarians having pets?!


Question: I have a few questions about vegans/vegetarians having pets?
First of all, can vegans/vegetarians have pets? And if so, what are you supposed to feed them? Also, if vegans/vegetarians have kids, are the kids supposed to be vegan/vegetarian?


Thanks

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

We are individuals.

Some of us choose to be vegan from an ethical stand point, some for health etc. Some don't want kids because they think the world is over populated, some live with omnivores others prefer not to. Some are religious, some aren't. Some are very informed on the things they buy and only buy vegan household products, others are more lax. Some have companion animals, others believe animals should live free.

It is up to each vegan. Veganism is not a cult, we don't share a brain... we have differing opinions on many aspects of life/politics/religion (hopefully, you get the idea). We are all unique, just like every other life form ;)



For kids, the parents can feed their children whatever diet they choose, so long as it's healthy and nutritionally sound for their developmental stage. One of my sisters, who is also a vegetarian, allows her daughter to eat some meat, just not all.

Raising and loving an animal that might otherwise have a terrible home is fine with me, though I wouldn't get any exotic animals. All of mine are rescues. For diet, it depends. Some animals can live and be healthy on a vegetarian diet, and some are even veg by nature. Dogs, though not vegetarian by nature, can be perfectly healthy and happy as one, but I wouldn't force that dietary change on a grown dog, because they wouldn't understand, and would crave the meat. If I was raising a dog from a puppy, I'd consider it. Cats CANNOT be healthy vegetarians, and don't listen to anyone who claims otherwise. Those are the extremists who will only look at one-sided quasi-research that fits their viewpoints. If you look at balanced, truly scientific studies, it's clear that cats need meat in their diets. All of my rescued kitties get what they need, and I don't love them any less for the fact that they need it.



Each person is an individual, so what one person thinks is acceptable, another may not. Some veg*ns say owning pets is acceptable, others do not. Some veg*ns own pets, other do not.

I personally own 13 pets. They all eat varied diets depending on what their nutritional needs are. I have two dogs, both eat meat. One is allergic to wheat, and grains, so a vegetarian diet would be impossible for her. The other is elderly and I feel a switch in the diet at this point is unnecessary. My ferrets all eat meat, as they are obligate carnivores and need a high quality meat in their diet. My turtle is mainly vegetarian, but her pellets(which are fed in small amounts) do contain fish. My rats are mainly vegetarian, but they do sometimes get chicken bones that would otherwise be thrown away. My tarantula eats insects, so that would exclude her as a vegetarian. My crayfish eats mostly vegetables/algae, but the pellets he eats do contain fish. My rabbit is a natural vegetarian, as is my bird.

I care for my animals in the best way possible. I feed them what they need to thrive and remain healthy. Most of my current pets were obtained before my transition to vegetarianism. In the future I would most likely stick to pets that are vegetarian by nature. However, as most of my pets are rescues(from neglectful situations where many were near death), I would not pass by an animal simply because it would need a food that included meat.

Each individual parent makes the decision to raise their child with or without meat. There is not a set rule that vegetarian parents must raise vegetarian children, but many do.



yes vegetarians can have pets and feed them normal pet food. some animals need specific diets to survive and preventing a pet from having a happy/healthy life would be against the belief most people use as their reason for becoming vegetarian.
i can't speak for everyone else but personally if/when i have children i will feed them whatever they need to grow and develop properly, including meat. they will be allowed to choose what they eat and can decide for themselves if they wish to become a vegetarian or continue eating meat when they are old enough. my parents were not vegetarians but i was allowed to choose what diet suited my preferred type of food and moral beliefs. i want my children to make the decision for themselves like i did.



Yes they can. Some vegetarians/vegans feed their animal companions on a vegetarian/vegan diet, others feed them on a meat diet. Vegans that support Animal Rights will never call themselves an "animal owner" or say they "own an animal". They use the term animal guardian or animal caretaker.

No, but many will raise them on a vegetarian/vegan diet.



It's all optional. But I'm pretty sure most of us feed our pets meat and raise our kids as veggies. That's me - my dog's kibble has meat, and if I have kids, I will raise them to be vegetarians.



Of course vegans and vegetarians can have animals at home. Whoever says anything different is talking nonsense. You have to feed them food that will keep them healthy. Dogs can be healthy on an omnivore diet and a vegetarian or vegan diet (its can be proven to be healthier). Cats can be healthy on a vegetarian diet if provided proper supplementation for taurine (although I would be much more cautious with cats). Usually vegetarians and vegans raise their kids the same way. Just like meat-eaters raise their kids eating meat, vegans and vegetarians raise their kids the way they live.

vegan :D



Veganism is about you. What you are able to eat and survive on. Because you can and think in a self-aware way.




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