Day 94
This is something I often wonder about. If a vegetarian has a pet then is it necessarily against the owner’s beliefs to feed their pets meat? Should they be feeding their doggies and kitties lamb and rice formula? Should they refrain from serving their furry friend scraps of meat from the dinner table?
I have met a vegetarian or two in my time that believes that it is perfectly fine to have their pets consume pet food with meat in it. Doesn’t that make those vegetarian pet owners hypocrites, especially if they have gone veggie to fight animal cruelty?
It would seem to me that if you really want to help as many animals as you can then you shouldn’t feed them flesh no matter how appealing it may be to your dog or cat. However, at the same time, isn’t making your animals go meatless just forcing your veggie beliefs on them? (And yes, I know how odd that last statement must have sounded.)
I really want to know what others think about this. Post your response in the comments section. I’d love to hear what people have to say.
Talk to you soon!
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I am not a vegetarian. I do, however, eat mostly poultry and fish for meat and understand why many folks are vegetarians for humanitarian reasons. That being said, I have pet rats who could eat meat, but don't. I like the idea of keeping my pets vegetarian; it seems kinder somehow. Plus, my oldest rat has lived three years already, which is at the long end of a rattie-lifespan. I tend to think it's in part because of the care I put into choosing her diet.
ReplyDeleteAs for forcing veggie beliefs on a pet, I think that as long as the pet's dietary needs (for protein and whatnot) are being met, no harm can come from a vegetarian diet.
The big thing you have to think about just whether or not the animal can process the food you're feeding it. Some animals have a harder time digesting grains or certain vegetables because they don't have the proper enzymes. If you don't know look online or ask your vet.
ReplyDelete