For those who eat meat...would you ever eat a cat or dog?

Question

What's the difference between killing a chicken and using it for food than doing the same with a cat?

A cat is cuddley wuddley?....give me a break.
I am sick of all these people and their nonsense.

If your argument is that we can relate to a cat or a dog and that we can't to a chicken?

That answer is rather selfish. You are saying that the only animals that are worth being protected and shouldn't have to undergo pain are animals that make a human's life better?

Seriously ppl, give me a decent argument

Answer 1

An interesting question. :)

Short answer: yes. I do eat meat, I love pets, and I have tried eating dogmeat (in East Asia).

For me, the difference between feral/farmed meat and pets is in human attachment to them. Cat meat and dog meat I would probably not try (again), just because it isn't particularly good (see below), but rabbit meat I do enjoy; however, I wouldn't eat the meat of a person's deceased pet, out of respect for the person's feelings. (It's a bit related to the way I think about organ donorship. If a person wishes it, their organs are allowed to rot or be burned rather than put to use to save someone else's life. This is completely unpragmatic - but we respect the wishes of the person and their family, because that's what society is.)

I understand that your question is more ethical than practical, but one terribly pragmatic reason why dogs and cats are very rarely eaten is that they are carnivores, and the meat of carnivores isn't very tender, and tends to taste slightly rancid. Dog meat is about fifty times the cost of beef, because the animals have to be fed very special (and unnatural) diets to make them palatable (and still wasn't particularly good). So it's not worth the extra cost and effort of raising commercial carnivore meat. So a better question may be about rabbit, since they're good meat as well as good pets.

Answer 2

In western society we raise animals that are speicifally meant to be eaten, and we raise animals that are specifically meant to be pets.

I myself could never eat a pet- though I do occationally partake in eating beef, and pork.
I consider dogs, cats, horses, etc as pets.
I consider beef, pork, chicken as food.
I suppose alot of it has to do with the relationships we have with animals. I share my home with a dog and a cat, however would never consider sharing with a cow.
I have no personal affection towards to cattle, or sheep, or any other animal used for food, thus I am able to eat it.
I have known people who have eaten horse, and dog, and quite honestly find it revolting, yet I also find it difficult to judge another culture based on western ideals.

Answer 3

Well I would NEVER eat a cat or dog because the thought is new and people are not used to that. That's why. Some cultures do eat dogs though I'm sure of that. I'm not sure if any cultures eat cats though.

Answer 4

If I'd have it for a pet, I won't eat it. So cats, dogs, snakes, rabbits, & horses are out. Yes, I'd have birds and fish for pets, but not the species that I'd eat.

Honestly, it's just b/c it's a part of American culture. You don't eat your family friend. And if I was brought up to revere an animal (e.g. cows for Hindus), I wouldn't eat it either.

Besides, I think my cat would be too chewy ;P

Answer 5

the liver of cat is often used in my rituals; being a member of the Golden Dawn i must feast upon the liver of a cat once a week in the earth ritual.....ive some what developed a taste for cat meat....goes great with some garbonzo beans


I partake in the obstruction of human flesh

Answer 6

I am a vegetarian, and I think that way too. But I have come to understand that with most people, it doesn't matter how good your argument is, they don't see it like you do. It's meat, they've had it their entire lives. I see a cow or dog as equal living beings, neither of them deserves to die in MY opinion. But everyone has their own opinion, can you blame them?

Answer 7

i know its not right to eat chicken but not a cat or a dog but the way i look at it is....
god made bears eat fish, rabbits eat plants, and i guess he gavee us chicken
all i am trying to say is i think its the food chain

Answer 8

Cooked properly, I'd most likely eat anything that resembles meat. I think it's funny some people would starve themselves instead of eating a cow. My motto is - Eat All You Want, We'll Make More!

Answer 9

I would never eat a dog or cat!

Answer 10

I don't like the question about eating cats or dogs.