Can I be an animal lover and still eat meat?

Question

I'm just curious. No offense intended to anyone who eats meat or, for that matter, anyone who isn't an animal lover.

Oh, and please spare me the standard "I love all animals... particularly with steak sauce and a good merlot." My 9 year old cousin already gave me that one and I don't think she even knows what a merlot is.

Answer 1

Honestly, I can't figure out how you can love animals and eat meat.

Before anyone jumps on me, I do respect others practices and beliefs. So if you eat meat, fine. But I do disagree with it.

Answer 2

You can still eat steak and love animals, but think about it. Would you eat your own dog? There are plenty of alternatives to eating animals. There are faux meats and replacer for animal ingrediants.

Answer 3

You can still be an animal lover and eat meat as long as you're not eating your pets...That would make you a non-animal lover and PETA may want to have a word with you...

Answer 4

Sure. I love animals, and I can't stand those jokes, but I eat meat. Really, it's about how high you're willing to put the animals. If you think that they're equal to humans, then you probably wouldn't want to eat meat. But if you love it, but realize that it's just an animal, no matter how great it is, then you can chew with a clean conscience.

Answer 5

Look at it from a nature point of view. As a human you are at the top of the food chain. You are not necessarily at the top of the vegetable chain. Hungry enough, an animal is not going to have any problem eating you. You can love animals and at the same time remain the carnivore that you have been bred to be for millions of years.

Love is an emotion, eating is a natural, physical need. However, as the most highly evolved species on the planet, we have developed free will and you can CHOOSE not to eat animals as there are plenty of alternatives available.

Loving and protecting animals and your desire to eat meat are not mutually exclusive.

Eat away, my friend, and give your pooch a nice pat on the head from me.

Answer 6

I am very much and animal lover (3 dogs, 4 cats, 2 horses, 1 ferret, 1 hedgehog, 1 parrot, 2 tanks of fish and still room for more) and still eat meat.

When I was a kid, we were told we could have one of the livestock that was a pet, and the rest were for food. It was just the natural way of things for us.

Answer 7

Definitely... yes. If you care for and enjoy the companionship of a pet - you are an animal lover. If you care for the conservation of wild animals, you are an animal lover. There are different kinds of love for animals. I have an affection for mammals, but don't ask me to keep a spider as a companion. I will usually go out of my way to release one to the outdoors, though. However, show me a mosquito, red ant, cockroach and out comes a shoe or swatter to put it out of My misery!

Besides, humans need animal protein in order grow up healthy. You Could raise children as vegans, but it takes a special dedication and knowlege to do this correctly. Even as an adult vegan, you need to pay attention to your protein intake. Some take care of the requirement by eating animal products such as milk, eggs and cheese.
There's huge multitude or people who care for, rescue, and adopt domesticated animals as pets. There are people who consider thier pets as part of the family. Yet these people still eat meat as part of thier diet. It's all about perspective, you just need to find out yours. :-)

Answer 8

I love animals, I have seven dogs, four cats, two guinea pigs and a pond full of fish. I am a meat and potatoes person as well.

Answer 9

yes as a big animal lover myself i also eat meat, i cant stand animal abuse but yet i continue to eat meat. I cant help it. A good medium-rare steak once in awhile taste delicious! lol!

Answer 10

i think you can love animals without being vegetarian...i do! i love and respect animals but meat is just part of a life cycle and i dont think people who are veggie should be offended by that. as long as you love animals i think its fine to eat meat too.