vegetarian pets

[Dadaist]

I admire the ethos of vegetarianism in terms of reduction of cruelty to animals.

Today I was in Real Foods in Broughton Street, and was amused to spot pet food containing meat. What gives?

I understand that pets aren't clever enough to choose to be vegetarian, and that they are carnivore etc. But by choosing to have a pet in the first place, is a veggie not selling out a bit? They are creating a whole load of captive animals this way by :

a) supporting the pet food industry
b) supporting the pet industry

So in effect, they are "consuming" the pet food themselves as the pet exists only for their own pleasure. I know that some animals are rescue animals, but vegetarianism is so widespread that to my mind, they are merely perpetuating two industries that their ethos decries.

It was also amusing that the pet food was organic and GM free - I'm sure the chicken that got boiled up and put in a tin will be well chuffed.

Am I out of order on this one?

[Poppy]

I admire the ethos of vegetarianism in terms of reduction of cruelty to animals.

Today I was in Real Foods in Broughton Street, and was amused to spot pet food containing meat. What gives?

I understand that pets aren't clever enough to choose to be vegetarian, and that they are carnivore etc. But by choosing to have a pet in the first place, is a veggie not selling out a bit? They are creating a whole load of captive animals this way by :

a) supporting the pet food industry
b) supporting the pet industry

So in effect, they are "consuming" the pet food themselves as the pet exists only for their own pleasure. I know that some animals are rescue animals, but vegetarianism is so widespread that to my mind, they are merely perpetuating two industries that their ethos decries.

It was also amusing that the pet food was organic and GM free - I'm sure the chicken that got boiled up and put in a tin will be well chuffed.

Am I out of order on this one?

Dogs can be vegetarian but cats cannot because the wee darlings need a high protein diet! So vegetarians can have a dog, I suppose, but not a mog

[Dadaist]

Didn't know that.

Can't you make vegetable protein thats good enough for the mogs? Does it have to be animal?

I guess there's fish for the mogs though.

[mr magnolia]

Fish?

Vegetarian?

These two options don't go together dear boy.

But being a vegetarian involves many issues regarding consistency - it's a bit like being a socialist within a rampantly capitalist self-serving society.

I'm off now to wear out some shoe leather on my way to Real Foods...

[Dadaist]

Fish?

Vegetarian?

These two options don't go together dear boy.

But being a vegetarian involves many issues regarding consistency - it's a bit like being a socialist within a rampantly capitalist self-serving society.

I'm off now to wear out some shoe leather on my way to Real Foods...

great answer, hail fellow and well met!

[Poppy]

From the vegetarian society's website for the edification of Dada

Although it is possible to keep dogs on a vegetarian diet satisfactorily, cats are more specialised and you are advised to consider carefully before changing your cat to a vegetarian diet.

Cats are natural carnivores and are unlikely to willingly forego meat from their diet. Cats fed on vegetarian diets are likely to look elsewhere for their preferred meat diet, and many cats will hunt and kill small rodents and birds.

Cats require certain nutrients from meat that cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts from plant foods. These include taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin B12.
...

Whilst cats may enjoy certain plant foods, vegetarian diets high in fibre and polyunsaturated fatty acids may be detrimental to a cat's health. High fibre foods can fill the cat's digestive system without providing the necessary nutrients in sufficient concentrations. Excess polyunsaturated fatty acids in vegetable oils can lead to a vitamin E deficiency related illness.

If you do decide to give your cat a vegetarian diet, then a supplement is available from:
Katz Go Vegan, The Vegan Society, 7 Battle Road, St.Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7AA
This is a powder which can be added to your cat's meals. If you do not feel it is appropriate to feed your cat a vegetarian diet, then you may find it preferable to use concentrated dry cat food rather than canned. Most major cat food manufacturers now produce concentrated dry foods which may be less offensive to handle for vegetarian cat owners as well as conferring health benefits for your cat in comparison with traditional canned food.

Although calling something Katz Go Vegan is a bit much as it's not the cat's choice!!

[Dadaist]

Heheheh - "less offensive to handle"

The only people I respect are the macrobiotic fruitarians, who only eat windfall fruit and vegetables in season. The rest of all you faux-veggies make me laugh.

[Poppy]

Oddly, my mog preferred soya 'dairy' products to the real thing - so it was was just as well for her that I can't 'do' dairy [highly allergic to cow's milk].

She also liked goats/sheeps cheese. Strange wee thing!

[Robin!]

I'm sure the chicken that got boiled up and put in a tin will be well chuffed.

Probably as chuffed as a Gazelle feels when the lion sinks its teeth into its neck?

I think your post is OTT!

[Dadaist]

I'm sure the chicken that got boiled up and put in a tin will be well chuffed.

Probably as chuffed as a Gazelle feels when the lion sinks its teeth into its neck?

I think your post is OTT!

In that case I meatily apologise. Sorry, mightily apologise.

[Robin!]

I'm sure the chicken that got boiled up and put in a tin will be well chuffed.

Probably as chuffed as a Gazelle feels when the lion sinks its teeth into its neck?

I think your post is OTT!

In that case I meatily apologise. Sorry, mightily apologise.

boom boom!

[Sandra]

She also liked goats/sheeps cheese. Strange wee thing!

Bess likes most human food - cheese, meat, chicken, fish, biscuits, toffees, chocolate, chinese, indian, pizza though I am trying not to feed her human food as the vet said she was getting fat.