Vegan/Plant based.

I think the left wing/right wing thing is click bait.

I think the bit about castigating non- vegans is true though, with a few exceptions.

Going back to the OP, she started by saying she wanted to connect with other vegans but that wasn’t really so.

She just couldn’t help the “it will help your health” A meaningless claim.

And then all the emotional, guilt-tripping stuff ‘Look into their eyes ……..”

Animals eat animals. It’s called the food chain. I happen to think we’re part of it and should live as naturally as possible.

I don’t think our species is anything special, morally obliged to step out of that so we can feel superior and special as a higher order.

That superiority is a view allied to some religions which is why, I guess vegans feel the need to preach and convert.

It’s not about superiority Lathyrus it’s about the animals, every time.

People can make their own choices with regard to animsl consumption.
There's little more off-putting than than imagining your salami sandwich looking at you with baleful eyes...

Lathyrus3 I am in complete agreement with you.

What people choose to eat, or not eat, is an entirely arbitrary judgement that has nothing to do with health or virtue.

But other animals in the food chains consume another. A lion doesn’t look a deer in the eyes and think I won’t do that or a fox a rabbit.
Humans are evolved to eat meat so the decision not to do so and to enter into the feelings and of other species must come from a belief that humans are n some way different from other animals and should step outside that natural chain of life.

That is what I mean by superior, an animal that believes it has responsibility for the life of other animals. A belief in human uniqueness and a place above the rest of the animal world rather than our natural place within it.

A religion of sorts.

The problem is we anthropomorphise animals. In children's literature, in soft toys, in advertising so people are looking at animals and seeing them as humans with furry faces.

It is interesting that the dividing line between anthropomorphic animals and those animals that many vegans get most exercised over is one and the same one.

Yes it leads people to believe it s wrong for a human to eat a pig when the pig,would quite happily eat a human.

🤔

Do you think the whole pet thing has grown worse, in terms of dressing them up, referrng to them as children, and ourselves as dog mamas?
Rainbow bridges, puppy drinks at drive throughs, and doggy dates?

Also, the trend for pet hedehogs, sugar gliders, and more exotic animals.

My friends son picked us up after a hospital appointmemt, and said "Well, I can't quite believe I'm saying this, mother, but I've got to go because it's the dog's birthday and we're having a party for him"

Ooo Any excuse for a party!

MissAdventure

Do you think the whole pet thing has grown worse, in terms of dressing them up, referrng to them as children, and ourselves as dog mamas?
Rainbow bridges, puppy drinks at drive throughs, and doggy dates?

Also, the trend for pet hedehogs, sugar gliders, and more exotic animals.

That is an interesting thought. But I think there is a big gulf between perceptions of dogs, that there is a societal revulsion at the thought of eating, and cows, pigs etc that most people eat.

However I doubt if many pet owning vegans are among those who think their pets are children and treat them better than they ever treated any child they might have had. I think, if vegans own pets they treat them with respect for what they are - animals in their care-.

Ah, of course.
That makes total sense.
Much more than my thoughts.

M0nica

MissAdventure

Do you think the whole pet thing has grown worse, in terms of dressing them up, referrng to them as children, and ourselves as dog mamas?
Rainbow bridges, puppy drinks at drive throughs, and doggy dates?

Also, the trend for pet hedehogs, sugar gliders, and more exotic animals.

That is an interesting thought. But I think there is a big gulf between perceptions of dogs, that there is a societal revulsion at the thought of eating, and cows, pigs etc that most people eat.

However I doubt if many pet owning vegans are among those who think their pets are children and treat them better than they ever treated any child they might have had. I think, if vegans own pets they treat them with respect for what they are - animals in their care-.

I'd like to hear what vegans feed their cats.

Just Google vegan cat food. Then learn about Taurine, which is essential for cats.

Is this vegan food preferred by cats. Have trials been run where cats are offered vegan food along side the food they would normally receive plus what they would eat if they were living in the wild.

Presumably if the cats clearly preferred meat or fish the that is what they would be .

I didn't think cats could live on a vegan diet.
Probably wrong, and perhaps this has changed over the years.

MissAdventure

I didn't think cats could live on a vegan diet.
Probably wrong, and perhaps this has changed over the years.

The simple answer is no, cats cannot live on a purely vegan diet. Cats are what are known as 'obligate carnivores', which means their metabolism relies on nutrients which can only be found in meat. When I worked in a vet surgery, we had a woman come in who was vegan, and who wanted to put her cat onto a vegan diet too. Our vet explained why this was not a good idea and why it can lead to a whole range of health issues in cats, including heart problems and organ damage.

The simple answer is no, cats cannot live on a purely vegan diet. Cats are what are known as 'obligate carnivores', which means their metabolism relies on nutrients which can only be found in meat. When I worked in a vet surgery, we had a woman come in who was vegan, and who wanted to put her cat onto a vegan diet too. Our vet explained why this was not a good idea and why it can lead to a whole range of health issues in cats, including heart problems and organ damage.

So so all the hype about vegan cat food meaning your cat can be a healthy vegan is not true. Mind you cat foods and dog foods are UPF anyway.
We don’t recommend a UPF diet for humans, but pets?

When I said cats cannot live on a purely vegan diet, I wasn't talking about the manufactured 'vegan cat food', which has the supplements which are essential to a cat's diet, which they can only otherwise get from meat. If someone did wish to feed their cat a vegan diet, they would need to ensure that it was being supplemented by those nutrients.
And not all dogs or cats are fed on a UPF diet - our dog is raw fed and thrives on it, as do many others.

Cats just go out and kill the meat they need. Millions of birds each year but I guess that’s ok?? Rodents too. But they’re not terribly cuddly so no need to worry about that.

No such thing as a vegan cat

I can just imagine the cat scampering to it's food dish, rolling it's eyes, and thinking "not again!!!"
It'll probably go out and eat a mouse.

Lathyrus3

Cats just go out and kill the meat they need. Millions of birds each year but I guess that’s ok?? Rodents too. But they’re not terribly cuddly so no need to worry about that.

No such thing as a vegan cat

There is such a thing as a compulsory vegan cat, as we’ve already heard.
Whether that’s what the cat would choose is another matter.

It probably sits in front of the tv, thinking about meaty chunks in jelly, and salivates at the thought of ever having the chance to sample them.

MissAdventure

I can just imagine the cat scampering to it's food dish, rolling it's eyes, and thinking "not again!!!"
It'll probably go out and eat a mouse.

In fairness, if I was getting fed boring old brown rocks every day, I'd be tempted to go out and forage for myself too!

Mollygo

Lathyrus3

Cats just go out and kill the meat they need. Millions of birds each year but I guess that’s ok?? Rodents too. But they’re not terribly cuddly so no need to worry about that.

No such thing as a vegan cat

There is such a thing as a compulsory vegan cat, as we’ve already heard.
Whether that’s what the cat would choose is another matter.

Only if you keep it indoors.

And not even then if it’s like my old house in the middle of some fields. 😱🦎🐀🪰🦇!!!