If you eat meat, why don't you eat cats and dogs, too?

[friesianrider]

Just an honest question and I'm looking for honest answers. I'm curious why, as a vegetarian, people think it is okay to eat cows and chickens and pigs (who are interestingly apparently extremely intelligent - moreso than dogs), but not dogs and cats.

If it is just where you personally draw the line, please say so. I'm trying to better understand my flesh-eating progressive brethren and sistren. :) :hi:

[fortyfeetunder]

1. after dissecting a few of them

I might have had a taste...wasn't impressed...

[friesianrider]

3. Really?

Is it just to try something new, or...? I guess then there would be no moral question from your end?

[fortyfeetunder]

19. Well, recalling a WaPo 1970-ish article

When Nixon visited China, WaPo printed a recipe for cooking dog. But it specified using young puppies, so the meat wouldn't have that "doggy flavor"...What the hell that meant is anyone's guess.

[notadmblnd]

2. They don't sell them at the grocery store?

nt

[tk2kewl]

4. they don't carry cat or dog at the butcher shop

:shrug:

[friesianrider]

7. And if they did, would you eat it without reservation? nt

[tk2kewl]

hard to say

if i had been fed it as a child and liked it, i guess i would

[Quagmire05]

5. I imagine it tastes bad

:shrug:

[friesianrider]

6. What if I told you it tasted good?

Would you try it then?

[PittPoliSci]

8. It's hard to find a place that prepares them for eating

Especially since I think it's illegal in most states. Not sure if I would eat one even if I came across it though, I'd bet the meat would be really tough.

[Guaranteed]

9. As a vegetarian, why don't you eat ferns?

Or oak trees? Or grass or weeds?

Would you prefer that meat eaters did eat cats and dogs?

[friesianrider]

12. I would prefer meat eaters be consistent I think.

But really I am trying to grasp WHERE meat-eaters draw the line at what they would eat, and why.

[Guaranteed]

15. Alright, so when was the last time you ate grass? nt

[friesianrider]

24. I'm asking meat-eaters a question...

And trying to find out why many would or would not eat dogs or cats. Do you have an answer or are we going to play a game here?

I'm not trying to be a smartass, I really am just curious. I can better my own arguments if I can better understand your ilk.

[alarcojon]

28. Personally, I think it's a fair question

And I would honestly like to hear your answer. I answered your question honestly below.

[Guaranteed]

29. The dogs and cats I know aren't bred for eating.

They're pets.

They probably wouldn't be as pleasing to our palette as beef, pork and chicken.

[Left Is Write]

22. I don't feel inconsistent.

Are people who eat meat required to eat ALL meat in order to be considered consistent?

[friesianrider]

26. No, but...

Many will not eat dogs or cats for moral reasons because many I've met see them as "more" animals than a cow or pig. I'm honestly just curious.

[madeline_con]

23. Could it be Biblical to some extent?

The whole cloven hoof, etc. as to why Westerners don't eat cat and dog, but Asians do?

[friesianrider]

30. More than likely...

I suspect so, which is why I wonder why more progressives buy into it...

[madeline_con]

10. A lot of people do...

depending on their culture, what they were raised eating, etc.

If cat and dog was all over the nearest grocery store, and Mom had fried it up when I was a kid, I probably would eat it. I'm not into chasing anything, though.

P.S. I've been considering giving up at least the red meat, and the "other white meat", too. Just for the health issues, not cruelty. Is that horrible?

[friesianrider]

18. Nope :)

I think it's great for you to give up both for health reasons - there's more than plenty of health and environmental reasons to give up meat, the cruelty aspect aside.

[Left Is Write]

11. Cultural mores prohibit it.

Traditionally, in Western culture, we view cats and dogs as pets rather than food. It's a pretty powerful influence to ignore. I like a good hamburger or a roast turkey, but I have absolutely no desire to cook or eat a dog or cat.

[madeline_con]

27. If you had a pet turkey...

you wouldn't be able to roast him, right? And you wouldn't want to put Bessie in the stew.

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. Well, I won't eat veal either

I eat very little pig, mainly in the form of bacon. I suppose it's a mindset. It was always explained to me as a child that that's what cows and chickens are there for. I did go through a period where meat in general was hard for me, but since veggies and I don't get along, I got over it.

[nini]

14. who says I don't?

:evilgrin:

[Floogeldy]

16. As it just so happens . . .

. . . Where I live it is probably illegal to slaughter such animals for eating purposes.

Rats are over-rated. Squirrels might be a different story, especially with the gravy.

:o

[alarcojon]

17. Socialization

My parents never fed me dogs and cats. Nor do I see other Americans eating them.

BTW, my parents grew up in South America and kept chickens, pigs, and goats which they would later eat.

[MalibuChloe]

20. probably just because we weren't raised to do so

in this culture, dogs and cats are domesticated family pets and not fit for consumption.

i eat meat (some) but i think being a vegetarian is very noble. i've tried and failed to be one. someday i will try again.

[misanthrope]

21. I wouldn't say...

...a cow or chicken was smarter than a dog. A pig, yes, but not the others.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. It's just a cultural taboo since we have these animals as companions.

There are plenty of cultures where they are in fact eaten.

My parents are from such a culture. They've had both dog and cat. They said it's okay tasting.

[Moderator]

31. Locking

Flamebait.