So are vegans not allowed to have pets?

Question

I'm just wondering, cause I know that cat and dog food have meat in them

wouldn't feeding a cat or dog a "vegan" diet be cruelty to the cat or dog?

Answer 1

Yes, vegans can have pets, just not for dinner.

Vegans know that cats and dogs are designed by nature to be carnivors, and generally they go along with nature's program.

Answer 2

Not allowed? There's no such thing as vegan police. I'm vegan and I dont want to own animals, because I would have to buy meat to feed a cat or a dog. I also dont believe in keeping animals for my own amusement.

But I know some vegans who adopt homeless dogs, which is a different thing. Also, many ppl owned pets before they turned vegan, and giving away these animals would be wrong. This is a grey zone, and everyone should do whatever they feel is right.

I dont really judge cat and dog owners. As long as these animals go outside on regular basis. But putting a bird in a cage, or a fish in a bowl is cruel in my opinion. I strongly oppose zoos. Animals need space and freedom just like humans.

Answer 3

It's not a question of whether vegans are allowed or not to have pets. There's no rule on that. But it's good you are thinking this through because..yes, there is meat in most cat food and dog food on the market, but vegan pet food does exist in the UK and our cats like it. So you don't need to feel bad about causing death by buying conventional pet food anymore.
http://www.veggiepets.com/

Answer 4

Most of our companion animals are rescues. It took a lot of research & soul-searching & I knew I'd either need to live without cats in our home or else compromise by giving them a meat-based food. We give our cats super-premium cat food with "food-grade" chicken (which is closer to a natural prey animal than cow would be), no artificial colors or preservatives & lots of healthy ingredients like probiotics & antioxidants.
We don't currently share our life with a dog, but if we did we'd buy vegetarian dog food & ask our friends with veggie dogs for advice. Our companion rats, mice & guinea pig are all vegetarian. None of them appear to be starving ;-)

Answer 5

Vegans and vegetarians don't EAT meat. They can raise meat, as pets, like dogs cats...etc.

Answer 6

Actually, a great many pet foods have only grains and dried vegetables in them...read the ingrediants.

And I'd infinitely rather have a vegan give a home to a cat than a redneck family where the kids torture it when mama and daddy's at the bar....

Answer 7

I have a cat and I feed her meat foods. She needs meat to be healthy; I don't. But I look for companies that have the least cruel options and least amount of fillers.

Answer 8

If * View jack of all trades's Profile
* jack of all trades

* Member since: 09 May 2007
* Total points: 1,901 (Level 3)
* Points earned this week:

* --% Best answer
*

jack of all trades






IF Vegans know that cats and dogs are designed by nature to be carnivores, and generally they go along with nature's programme, then why are they not omnivores themselves.

Vegetarianism is medically classified as food fadism.

Answer 9

Yes, I have a pet rabbit.

Side note: Please do not feed your cat a vegan diet. No matter what you have heard, cats cannot survive this way and they will go blind. They cannot synthesize retinol (vitamin A) from plant sources like humans can.

Answer 10

Yes, absolutely. I have vegan friends who rescue dogs and cats from shelters.