Beliefs/Principles and Pet Diets

[SalixIncendium]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

 

[Secret Chief]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

Cat food.
None.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

Answering for my sister, who is vegetarian. Normal dog food, including fresh meat at times.
She also feeds her 2 sons in a similar fashion (err...a diet that includes fresh meat at times. I would assume not dog food...)

Her convictions are basically that people should inform themselves on the animal industry, and then make an informed decision. Her sons are a few years off being able to do that (my sister was about 17 when she became vegetarian) and her dog has shown almost no willingness to study the literature she's made available to him at all.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

I feed my cats meat-based foods. I try to manage my own ethical issues practically.

 

[pearl]

what do you feed them?

Our dog loves fish, especially salmon and white fish.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Cat food.
None.

Are you selective with the types of meats you feed your cats?

 

[SalixIncendium]

I feed my cats meat-based foods. I try to manage my own ethical issues practically.

Same question: Are you selective with the types of meats you feed your cats?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Same question: Are you selective with the types of meats you feed your cats?

My cats have a specialized diet based on urinary tract needs, and with the prescription food options it really comes down to chicken.

 

[Secret Chief]

Are you selective with the types of meats you feed your cats?

Yes, they don't have beef and we try to give them low fat food (not that it seems to have the desired effect ).

 

[JustGeorge]

We feed the pets normal pet food. I don't feel any conflict; the pets need the meat to live, as they're carnivores.

 

[mangalavara]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

I’m an ovo-lacto-vegetarian with no pets. If I had a dog or cat, I would feed them what they need—meat. However, I would not be interested in obtaining beef—cow meat in particular—for them.

One time, I was looking through a list of videos by an American Hindu woman who is vegan, which to me is just weird because… Mother Cow! Anyway, when I saw a video in which she said she keeps her carnivorous pet on a vegan diet, I lost all respect for her.

 

[Secret Chief]

I’m an ovo-lacto-vegetarian with no pets. If I had a dog or cat, I would feed them what they need—meat. However, I would not be interested in obtaining beef—cow meat in particular—for them.

One time, I was looking through a list of videos by an American Hindu woman who is vegan, which to me is just weird because… Mother Cow! Anyway, when I saw a video in which she said she keeps her carnivorous pet on a vegan diet, I lost all respect for her.

My understanding is that the cat is an obligate carnivore, the dog is not. A dog can be healthy or unhealthy on a non-meat diet the same as humans can be. A nutritionally balanced diet is what a dog needs.

 

[The Hammer]

If you are a vegetarian or vegan as a result of your principles or religious beliefs and own a pet(s) such as a dog or a cat, who are inherently not vegan or vegetarian, what do you feed them? What effect, if any, does this have on your personal convictions?

Cats are obligate carnivores, and dogs are omnivorous, but still mostly an obligated carnivore. It is best and morally better to feed them as such, since that is what their bodies need to thrive. To give them vegetarian or vegan foods (only) is medically unsound for either of them.

Edit Yes I'm not a vegetarian, but I still though I'd weigh in as a multiple pet owner.

 

[Mock Turtle]

The number of cat owners who have been devoured by their own cats must suggest something.