2007-09-17 10:05:26 · 16 answers · asked by ................... 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
their pets aren't vegetarian...pets need their proper diet, whatever the owner eats.
2007-09-17 10:08:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Vegetarians *should* be giving their pets whatever food is appropriate to their diet. Just because a person chooses to be a vegetarian does not mean that they should change their meat-eating pet into one, too. Cats, ferrets, and other carnivores can't live off of a vegetarian diet - their bodies weren't designed to do so. I REALLY hope there's no (dumb*ss) vegetarians trying to force their meat-eating pet into becoming a vegetarian.
2007-09-17 11:00:46 · answer #2 · answered by Love 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vegetarians should not force a vegetarian lifestyle on carnivorous or omnivorous animals.
Vegetarians have the ability to make the ethical choice for themselves. They do not have the right to force that choice onto an animal that is physiologically designed to digest meat.
There are plenty of animals out there that are herbivores by nature, and a vegetarian would be much better suited to have one of those as a pet instead of forcing an omnivore or carnivore into an unnatural diet.
A note to R Anthony - if you're mixing the veggies with "cooked ground beef" then it's not a "vegetarian dog".
2007-09-17 10:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by Nandina (Bunny Slipper Goddess) 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Frankly I find the thought of anyone forcing their dietary lifestyle on an animal that can't make moral or ethical decisions absolutely repugnant and those people who force their animals on vegetarian diets, particularly obligate carnivores like cats or ferrets, need to be shot. I've seen cats that went blind, cats and dogs that were horribly emaciated, young cats that looked like they were about 20 years over their real ages, because their owners forced them to go on a vegan diet. It's disgusting. Those animals were not meant to be herbivores. Their digestive tracts are designed for meat. That's what they are, carnivores. They cannot digest vegetable matter nor absorb any nutrients from it, especially ferrets with their short digestive tracts.
If you want to be vegetarian or vegan for whatever reason, fine. But don't force your pets to do that. If you just absolutely can't stand the thought of giving an animal meat then don't own a carnivore. Get a rabbit. Leave the cats and ferrets alone.
2007-09-17 10:24:31 · answer #4 · answered by Abriel 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Hopefully, vegetarians do not force their views on their pets and recognise that animals do not do as well as we do on vegetarian diets. Cats in particular cannot survive without meat.
My sister is a vegetarian, but she does not make either her cat or her daughters be this way, she recognises it's her choice! This has been the same for any veggie I've met. I also work with a nurse who's a strict vegan, but she is sensible enough not to expect animals to be the same.
Chalice
2007-09-17 10:10:18 · answer #5 · answered by Chalice 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
There are vegetarian pet foods but cats require meat: they are carnivores. Dogs are omnivores.
2007-09-17 10:09:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Here's a good article on feeding a vegetarian diet to your dog - but do not EVER try to feed a meatless diet to a cat, they are carnivores and should be fed non-meat foods only very seldom.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5339_dog-vegetarian-diet.html
2007-09-17 10:10:43 · answer #7 · answered by Elizabeth 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am proud to let you know that I am the owner of "A Vegetarian Dog".
Since she was a little pup she wanted to eat everything I did, so since then she naturally loves my vegetarian diet.
I am also very conscious that she needs lots of protein so I mix (with "her lettuce, tomatoes, beans and all kind of vegetables with Ranch or vinegar and oil based dressing") some cooked ground beef. I just cook it and leave it in the fridge and use it with her salad.
She also loooooves all fruits and she cannot eat enough green peppers.
Her veterinarian often tells everyone he wishes more dogs were vegetarian like mine. She's now 7 years old and not once had a health problem. A few times her doctor asked me if some of his canine customers with health problems could meet her and see if they would eat what she does. We tried it and they did. Awesome experiences!
2007-09-17 10:25:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Judging from your question. Don't have a pet!
2007-09-17 10:15:55 · answer #9 · answered by Seedna 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dog tried veggie food while we were determining her allergies. She also tried Kangarooo derived food and a Venison based type. I know that canines are pure carnivours and she would be malnutritioned if I tried to force my preferences onto another species.
2007-09-17 10:11:02 · answer #10 · answered by P-funk baby 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋