Vegetarian's pets?

Question

Sorry if this is an ignorant, stupid question; but do vegetarians/vegans feed their pets food with meat, or is there such thing as vegetarian cat or dog food? Just wondering =P

Answer 1

Someone asked this just a little while ago. They were very upset to learn that some vegans feed their pets vegan diets. too.
Here's what I wrote:
If you are REALLY curious and concerned then you could look into the practice of feeding carnivorous pets a vegan diet. It is done by some vegans, but certainly not all.

Here are some FAQs from a supplier of vegan cat food:
http://www.vegancats.com/pages/1007/FAQ....
They are saying that the only problem might be a urinary tract issue that is present in many cats anyway.

Here's an article:
http://www.alternet.org/story/18767/
"Cats don't need meat," says UC Davis cat nutrition specialist Quinton Rogers. "They need specific nutrients found in meat and if they can get that some other way then they can be reasonably healthy on a vegan diet. I wouldn't recommend it because you're more likely to get into trouble, but if you know what you're doing, and you get the pure elements, you can make it work."

The nutrients that are present in animal flesh come from plant sources. If a cow isn't eating B-12 present in their food, for example, it's not going to be present in their flesh. All the essential amino acids present in their flesh are present in the plant foods they eat. Ok? So, if a carnivore eats a diet that has all of the things that a meat-based diet has in terms of nutrients, then it should be very possible to feed your pet a vegan diet IF you are very thorough and do your homework to make sure they're getting everything they need.

It's not like a cat is going out and catching his or her own food, so to say "it's not natural" is sort of silly, really. Cats don't naturally eat grains, either, but MOST cat food has grains and fillers that wouldn't be in a nautral cat's diet. Often those grains and fillers are in greater quantity than the meat!

There is little assurance that the meat in most commercial pet foods is of any kind of quality. You've got tumors and crap (literally) and meat not fit for human consumption (it's literally designated as "not fit for human consumption") and that meat's usually pumped full of hormones and anitbiotics. God forbid it's from animals that have been being fed cannibal feed (a lot of "meat animals" are fed their own kind - gross but true) which will eventually make them go CRAZY and get a brain disease (mad cow, anyone?). So, if you ask me, I happen to think it's CRAZY to buy your pet cheap, filler-filled pet food. I am a strict vegetarian, for the record, and my cat eats high-quality, no-grain food made from meat that is "fit FOR human consumption".

I wouldn't cry. The chances are that someone who is taking the time and being dedicated enough to prepare or buy special food really loves their kitty and is taking good care of it.

Remember that people think PEOPLE can't live healthfully on a vegetarian diet either and will go on and on about how they won't get enough protein and we know that to be FALSE, so, don't worry about it. Most doctors don't have a clue about vegetarian diets so you can't expect many vets to know about them either.

Answer 2

I talked to my friend about this very thing this morning. She has a dog, and she feeds it mostly chicken and rice. I have a rabbit, a hampster, and a bird, so they are veggie by nature. My friend is of the mindset that animals "need" meat, but then again, humans think they do too, so its hard to know. If I had a dog, I would try them on a high protein vegetarian diet, to see how they responded. I would expect an initial change in bowel habits, but think they would adapt like humans switching to a veggie diet. My biggest concern with a pet would be cravings, and if they would become aggressive when they got them. Sorry I don't have a better answer, but just my thoughts on the matter. Great question, giving it a star

Answer 3

There are prepared vegetarian and even vegan pet foods. I live with an omnivore boyfriend; since there's meat coming into my home anyway, I feed my dog a food based on organically grown, non-factory farmed chicken. I might feel differently if I was running a completely vegan household, but I think he'd choose primarily meat if he had the choice "in the wild." He does like his fruits and veggies too, though, especially pumpkin.

Answer 4

No, it's not. It is possible to find vegetarian and vegan pet foods. However, I believe that someone who truly loves animals should be aware of the fact that some animals were designed to eat meat. If they find that morally unacceptable, they should not try to keep one. It's unethical to deny a pet adequate nutrition. They should at the very least talk to their vet about options before trying to undermine the nature of a species. Maybe even a better option? Go for organic foods. I'm sure you can find ethically-raised sources of meat for pets, too.

Answer 5

Some people will find a contradition in vegetarians feeding animals meat

some will find contraditions in vegetarians forcing thier views on animals and feeding them veggie diets

And then again some people will find contradictions in vegetarians having pets at all.

Do what you think is best.

I know thats not an answer, but JenasaurusX has provided the answer so i though i'd point out you will get people who criticise you no matter what you do - just be comfortable in your choices.

Answer 6

i've heard of vegetarian&vegan pets, but none i actually know. my cat eats animals every day and i'm a vegetarian. it might be different if my whole family agreed with me being a vegetarian, he was just mine, or if we had more money to buy the better food for him.

Answer 7

I am vegan and my dog is as well. Cat's are carnivores (unlike people and dogs who are omni's and can survive on pure veggie diets) and cannot be fed a vegetarian diet.

Answer 8

There's LOTS of options for the pets of vegan and vegetarian people! Visit your local Whole Foods or Organic market, and you're sure to find a good selection. Lots of regular chain supermarkets are starting to carry organic and veg-friendly brands as well.
My friend's dog has severe allergies to normal dog food, and can only eat vegan food!

Just use google and you'll find tons of websites. :)

Answer 9

I just give my cat regular cat food. She's meant to eat meat. I'm not going to force my "radical" lifestyle on my cat. She's too old and set in her ways to change anyway.

Answer 10

For vegetarians and vegans, the issue is not eating or using something per se, but BUYING an item, thereby contributing money to the horrifically cruel industry that produced it.

Our cats have eaten vegan cat food their whole lives.

http://www.vegancats.com/