Vegans and Vegitarians who own CATS/DOGS

This part one of a multi-part series of animal ownership threads I'd like to start.


This is probably the most heated or controversial to a lot of folks, and with good reason. I've gotten a lot of slack in the past for my comments on this matter, but my opinion is unwaivering.

I do not consider vegans and vegitarians who own meat eating pets to be real vegans/vegitarians. One can argue that I have an arbitrary system that they'd rather not adhere too based on my own prejudices, and that's fair enough. But they will never be considered true vegan/vegitarian in my eyes.

Now before, anyone lambastes me for hypocrisy, I also judge myself by those standards---I don't consider myself a true vegan or vegitarian either. I've had to take care of a cat for 3 years now, and thankfully I get to hand him back to my sister very shortly. But because of this, I never considered myself a vegan/vegitarian. At best, I'm a flexitarian.


That being said, my view is that if you're doing it for health, then the ownership of cats/dogs doesn't really violate your intentions, does it? I mean, you're only concerned about how the plumbing works in that respect. And there's nothing wrong with that. My decision in late 2007 to go raw/vegan was based soley on health.
But if you embark on this lifestyle as a moral effort, I simply don't understand reconciling this with the ownership of meat eating animals, especially if you adopted them after your commitment.

Is it better than being a full blown meat eater? yes, of course? But I still don't think you're a vegan/vegitarian, and regardless of what you have to say on the matter, my opinion is unwaivering. (yeah, lambaste me. I don't care ).

Cats and dogs are cute. The evoke a primal, visceral response in most of us. But this doesn't change the fact that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food industry: http://www.bornfreeusa.or...re=1&p=359

It doesn't change the fact that these animals are carnivors, bred through evolution to have these charming traits--they're still killers of other animals.





So what is your thoughts?

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

I don't think any pet-owning vegan or vegetarian people really care what label you feel is accurate for them.

Ugh, I hate this topic. I say everything in moderation.

Lots of vegans who eat soy on a daily basis are getting cancer...there is an estrogen like substance called isoflavones that stimulates estrogen receptors. Not good!!!

But dogs and cats don't have people digestive systems.
My ex-gf who was vegan, tried to feed her cat that she loved dearly vegan food. He had multiple health problems as a result.
so where people vegans can have very varied diets and should take supplements, it's very difficult to get a pet to do that.

just my two cents.

ButterscotchPimp said:

CarrieMpls said:

I don't think any pet-owning vegan or vegetarian people really care what label you feel is accurate for them.

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Cats and Dogs and feeding them in proper healthy ways ~ to me, REALLY has very little bearing on a Human choosing to be a Veggie only type of eater

So hell yes you can be a veggie person and own a CAT or DOG and feed them the meats they want/need /like

( veggie )Pet owners ( some/most ) may really not give a flying fuck what others think about them based on feeding meat eating pets MEAT




seriously - this is a real concern for some ? ... really

CarrieMpls said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

CarrieMpls said:

CarrieLee said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Imago said:

CarrieMpls said:

I don't think any pet-owning vegan or vegetarian people really care what label you feel is accurate for them.

This is the typical response I get. Very Pavlovian at times responses actually.

(not aimed at you)

Mach said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Imago said:

Imago said:

Imago said:

Mach said:

Cats and Dogs and feeding them in proper healthy ways ~ to me, REALLY has very little bearing on a Human choosing to be a Veggie only type of eater

So hell yes you can be a veggie person and own a CAT or DOG and feed them the meats they want/need /like

( veggie )Pet owners ( some/most ) may really not give a flying fuck what others think about them based on feeding meat eating pets MEAT




seriously - this is a real concern for some ? ... really

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

ButterscotchPimp said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Imago said:

Mach said:

Cats and Dogs and feeding them in proper healthy ways ~ to me, REALLY has very little bearing on a Human choosing to be a Veggie only type of eater

So hell yes you can be a veggie person and own a CAT or DOG and feed them the meats they want/need /like

( veggie )Pet owners ( some/most ) may really not give a flying fuck what others think about them based on feeding meat eating pets MEAT




seriously - this is a real concern for some ? ... really

Whether they care about what I think or not is not really part of the debate. Yeah I know, I misunderstood @ 1st


However, your opinion that they can consider themselves true vegan--is this predicated on the fact that it may not always be a moral decision, but one based on health? Sure

Or are you saying, depending on one's point of view, they can label themselves according to their own chosen ethics? Yes, that too

Imago said:

Mach said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

CarrieLee said:

whistle said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Interesting topic. Also reminds me why I stopped labeling myself altho I'd say I adhere to a vegetarian/vegan diet.

Where my pet food comes from is a concern of mine and I try to find the best quality with the most humane souces but don't know if I've been successful. I'm constantly researching.

My dietary choice is primarily for health but that does not exclude my attempt to live a more compassionate and conscious life for all living beings.

JackieBlue said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

Imago said:

I think you actually pose an interesting point with this one... if its a moral choice then surely owning a cat or dog would go against your principles because they eat meat (or what is assumed to be meat... it certainly doesn't look or smell like it)

I've been a vegetarian for... actually I'm not sure how many years but guessing its probably pushing ten years now... I'm not even sure why I decided it... I think it was more the taste and texture than anything and then probably over time a few of my own opinions at the meat industry combined with the initial points. Yet I also have a pet dog and 3 cats which I obviously feed meat... i've never thought about it before but you may have a good point. Nothing would stop me from owning dogs and cats though lol.

I've no strong opinions on the subject but I feel like you want me to lambaste you.

Or give you 'slack'.

technically, of course being a vegetarian only refers to what you actually eat. So it doesn't matter if your cat, dog, son, daughter, or husband eats meat. If you don't eat meat you're a vegetarian. FACE!!

ultrablue said:

I've no strong opinions on the subject but I feel like you want me to lambaste you.

Or give you 'slack'.

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID

NDRU said:

THERE IS NOTHING BUT THE VOID