Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I know this may sound like a really silly question, but if any of you had idea about this it would be great. We have friends who are moving and offered us their 1yo cat. My 5yo is really excited, but is also really almost preachy about being veg and how it's not good to eat animals because then he can't watch them run and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, but want to know what i'm getting into, too. Thanks Cindy Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 This is a big issue among vegetarians, about whether companion animals can or should be fed vegetarian diets because of the choices their guardians make for themselves. Personally, my dogs have done beautifully on a vegetarian diet (my oldest is now 15 and in great health), but I think cats are a different issue. Dogs are natural omnivores, so giving them vegetarian sources of protein isn't too much trouble (especially since Nature's Recipe and other commercial brands have vegetarian formulas). But cats are natural carnivores, and it's tricky (and, some would say, dangerous) to try to give them nonmeat food. Taurine is one such element of a meat-based diet that cats can become ill or die without. And yes, there are now taurine supplements, and if you want to try that, great. But perhaps all you need to do is explain that different animals have different needs for their bodies, and that not all animals can be vegetarian (think lions, tigers and other big cats). Nature, after all, has a balance of predators and prey species, and it's not a moral issue with them the way it is with humans, who can make choices about their diets and actually do much better without meat. I think it's great that you're thinking of adopting this cat and providing a loving home for an animal whose fate might hang in the balance without your help. Saving that life is important, too! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 We have two cats & two dogs & my girls haven't had too much of a problem with their diet. They seem to be able to understand that dogs & cats are natural carnivores & we are not. I would suggest getting the book, Victor's Picnic with the Vegetarian Animals by Radha Vignola. It does a good job of explaining the physiological differences btwn carnivores & herbivores & then explains how humans are really not carnivores. My kids haven't had a problem respecting the differences in different species of animals, although they do have a hard time with understanding why other people would eat meat. Christa In a message dated 11/1/2004 6:57:44 AM Mountain Standard Time, whovilleabc writes: I know this may sound like a really silly question, but if any of you had idea about this it would be great. We have friends who are moving and offered us their 1yo cat. My 5yo is really excited, but is also really almost preachy about being veg and how it's not good to eat animals because then he can't watch them run and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, but want to know what i'm getting into, too. Thanks Cindy Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 you can buy vegan catfood for your cat. I teach my daugther that some animals eat other animals and they hunt in the wild. They don't have a choice. But people do. We choose not to eat animals because we don't have to. We have plenty of " real " food to eat. Renee --- c l m <whovilleabc wrote: > > I know this may sound like a really silly question, > but if any of you > had idea about this it would be great. > > We have friends who are moving and offered us their > 1yo cat. My 5yo is > really excited, but is also really almost preachy > about being veg and > how it's not good to eat animals because then he > can't watch them run > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the > kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being > paranoid? > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet > for quite some > time. I think he would do a great job (especially > with this cat who > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just > concerned he's > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid > and it's a non-issue, > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > Thanks > Cindy > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 , c l m <whovilleabc> wrote: > My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? > We have two cats. When we got them from the Humane Society last year, they told us that they are obligate carnivores, so we feed them meat, either canned or as kibble. I certainly don't cook it for them or anything like that. My kids understand that that is what cats eat, that's what they would eat if they were in the wild, and they are OK with it. They also understand that humans are NOT obligate carnivores 8-). I know some people do have vegetarian cats. I don't want to argue about it, though! Be well, Hadass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi Cindy Im very interested in this as well. I would love to find vegetarian food for our dog but I havent had any luck. I have looked at whole foods but not wild oats. I'd be interested in making her homemade food but i dont know enough about it to keep her diet balanced. c l m <whovilleabc wrote: I know this may sound like a really silly question, but if any of you had idea about this it would be great. We have friends who are moving and offered us their 1yo cat. My 5yo is really excited, but is also really almost preachy about being veg and how it's not good to eat animals because then he can't watch them run and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, but want to know what i'm getting into, too. Thanks Cindy Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I have been having this issue lately. Not with my kids but with myself. We got our three cats before we became veg*n and when we made the switch it was difficult trying to decide what to do as far as our cats. I know that some people feed cats special vegetarian food but my husband's view point is that while it is natural for humans to not eat meat, it is not natural for cats to not eat meat and that we should not force them into a diet that is unhealthy and unnatural for them. But since a major part of our reason for being veg*n is ethical reasons, I am concerned that the meat they are getting in a can/bag is from factory farmed animals that were cruelly treated. Our 3 1/2 year old daughter on the other hand is so far okay with them eating meat because we have stressed the difference between a cat's diet and a human's diet and she is too young to understand about factory farming. We'll see what happens when that day occurs. , c l m <whovilleabc> wrote: > My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 FWIW, I've found that it can be a tool for helping a child understand the difference between *needing* and *wanting* to eat something. This then helps them understand and explain our diet when confronted by meat eaters. My kids know that some animals must eat certain types of food (koalas only eat eucalyptus leaves, for example) and others, like humans, have the ability to choose. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Cat food doesn't look much like meat. More like cereal. I avoid the wet stuff because it really stinks. My cat doesn't seem to mind. Our cat is quite obviously a carnivore because she catches mice and such. My kids understand that it is natural for cats to catch mice and that sort of thing but that we don't eat meat. Jacqueline - " c l m " <whovilleabc Saturday, October 30, 2004 8:42 AM carnivore cat > > > I know this may sound like a really silly question, but if any of you > had idea about this it would be great. > > We have friends who are moving and offered us their 1yo cat. My 5yo is > really excited, but is also really almost preachy about being veg and > how it's not good to eat animals because then he can't watch them run > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some > time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > Thanks > Cindy > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Wysong and Evolution make vegetarian dog foods. Wysong is sold at all different pet stores, you just need to ask them to order the vegan formula for you. My dog has been eating and thriving on the vegan wysong for years. There are more brands out there, just do a search on line. --Tracy > Hi Cindy Im very interested in this as well. I would love to find > vegetarian food for our dog but I havent had any luck. I have looked at whole foods > but not wild oats. I'd be interested in making her homemade food but i dont > know enough about it to keep her diet balanced. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 We have 2 dogs and 2 cats, my 6 year old had a little problem with it but we explained that it is just in a cats nature to eat meat, which she understands because our cats go outside on occasion and will often times catch a mouse so that helps in the understanding that they do eat animals...We do however put all the pet food in big rubbermaid containers so they dont see the bag and are not constantly reminded of the fact the cats are eating meat(my 6yo reads everything). Also there are some vegetarian pet foods out there but I think they are pretty expensive....I hope I helped a little bit. take care Laurie,Emma(6),Peter(5) --- c l m <whovilleabc wrote: > > I know this may sound like a really silly question, > but if any of you > had idea about this it would be great. > > We have friends who are moving and offered us their > 1yo cat. My 5yo is > really excited, but is also really almost preachy > about being veg and > how it's not good to eat animals because then he > can't watch them run > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the > kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being > paranoid? > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet > for quite some > time. I think he would do a great job (especially > with this cat who > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just > concerned he's > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid > and it's a non-issue, > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > Thanks > Cindy > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. > > > > > Check out the new Front Page. www. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Here's an excellent resource for vegan cat and dogs: http://www.vegancats.com/ Jodi Action for Animals Seattle http://www.afa-online.org TRACIE castleman wrote: > > Hi Cindy Im very interested in this as well. I would love to find > vegetarian food for our dog but I havent had any luck. I have looked > at whole foods but not wild oats. I'd be interested in making her > homemade food but i dont know enough about it to keep her diet > balanced. > > c l m <whovilleabc wrote: > I know this may sound like a really silly question, but if any of you > had idea about this it would be great. > > We have friends who are moving and offered us their 1yo cat. My 5yo is > really excited, but is also really almost preachy about being veg and > how it's not good to eat animals because then he can't watch them run > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some > time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > Thanks > Cindy > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. > > > > > > > For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website > at http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families > go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not > intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be > obtained from a qualified health professional. > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified > health professional. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 cats are TRUE CARNIVORES!!! they have to have meat- they get taurine from it and can not break down and use plant based materials. I had a very bad time with feeding my animals other animals but renee is right on- we have a choice and are not built to eat animals- I think that explaining that is a good idea. really- I think a dog could do it only if you put the time into it but a cat??? no...... it is not the healthy choice for them. but- if you just won't budge- evolution is a vegan food. I have a lot of links I could send you about veggie pets. plz let me know if you want them. best of luck!!! cristene - Renee Carroll<renecarol25 < > Monday, November 01, 2004 9:05 AM Re: carnivore cat you can buy vegan catfood for your cat. I teach my daugther that some animals eat other animals and they hunt in the wild. They don't have a choice. But people do. We choose not to eat animals because we don't have to. We have plenty of " real " food to eat. Renee --- c l m <whovilleabc<whovilleabc> wrote: > > I know this may sound like a really silly question, > but if any of you > had idea about this it would be great. > > We have friends who are moving and offered us their > 1yo cat. My 5yo is > really excited, but is also really almost preachy > about being veg and > how it's not good to eat animals because then he > can't watch them run > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with the > kids having moral > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being > paranoid? > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet > for quite some > time. I think he would do a great job (especially > with this cat who > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just > concerned he's > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid > and it's a non-issue, > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > Thanks > Cindy > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. > <> > > > > <> For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at http://www.vrg.org<http://www.vrg.org/> and for materials especially useful for families go to http://www.vrg.org/family.This<http://www.vrg.org/family.This> is a discussion list and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 there are synthetic versions of taurine. That is how vegan catfood is made. I don't currently have a cat. When I did I fed it dry catfood.. looked less like a dead animal to me. But I still have a hard time with factory farming and what is in that catfood. If got another cat in future I would probably try to feed it vegan so as not to support the factory farming / meat industry. But I think it is acceptable to teach children that some animals need to eat other animals (snakes for instance) but people are different. Renee --- cristene bailey <maibee23 wrote: > > cats are TRUE CARNIVORES!!! they have to have meat- > they get taurine from it and can not break down and > use plant based materials. I had a very bad time > with feeding my animals other animals but renee is > right on- we have a choice and are not built to eat > animals- I think that explaining that is a good > idea. really- I think a dog could do it only if you > put the time into it but a cat??? no...... it is not > the healthy choice for them. but- if you just won't > budge- evolution is a vegan food. I have a lot of > links I could send you about veggie pets. plz let me > know if you want them. best of luck!!! cristene > - > Renee Carroll<renecarol25 > To: > < > > > Monday, November 01, 2004 9:05 AM > Re: carnivore cat > > > > you can buy vegan catfood for your cat. I teach > my > daugther that some animals eat other animals and > they > hunt in the wild. They don't have a choice. But > people do. We choose not to eat animals because > we > don't have to. We have plenty of " real " food to > eat. > Renee > > --- c l m > <whovilleabc<whovilleabc> > wrote: > > > > > I know this may sound like a really silly > question, > > but if any of you > > had idea about this it would be great. > > > > We have friends who are moving and offered us > their > > 1yo cat. My 5yo is > > really excited, but is also really almost > preachy > > about being veg and > > how it's not good to eat animals because then he > > can't watch them run > > and play. My concern: Has anyone had issues with > the > > kids having moral > > trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just > being > > paranoid? > > > > Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a > pet > > for quite some > > time. I think he would do a great job > (especially > > with this cat who > > fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm > just > > concerned he's > > going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. > > > > > I would love to hear that I'm just being > paranoid > > and it's a non-issue, > > but want to know what i'm getting into, too. > > Thanks > > Cindy > > > > > > > > > > > > Read only the mail you want - Mail > SpamGuard. > > > <> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We > finish. > > <> For more information about vegetarianism, please > visit the VRG website at > http://www.vrg.org<http://www.vrg.org/> and for > materials especially useful for families go to > http://www.vrg.org/family.This<http://www.vrg.org/family.This> > is a discussion list and is not intended to provide > personal medical advice. Medical advice should be > obtained from a qualified health professional. > > edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained > from a qualified health professional. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Cindy, Sorry this reply is late. I would refer you to a great book by a vegetarian called " Reigning Cats and Dogs " . The author is Pat McKay. She writes about the fact that dogs and cats are carnivores. Their systems from teeth, enzymes, intestinal structure etc. are designed to eat meat. She is a vegetarian and talks about people being physiologically different. She has done work with domestic and wild animals, and has studied allopathic as well as mostly alternative animal nutrition. She advocates for a raw diet for dogs and cats. Getting as much organic food as possible. She details the food program and makes it very user friendly. That being said, it's a great explaination about animal nutrition. You can order it almost anywhere. My son(vegan since birth) has always understand about the differences in animal food and food that we eat. Hope this helps. Peace, Laura in Maryland whovilleabc writes: Has anyone had issues with the kids having moral trouble feeding meat to the pets? Am I just being paranoid? Overall, ds loves animals and has been wanting a pet for quite some time. I think he would do a great job (especially with this cat who fetches and loves to play and snuggle), but I'm just concerned he's going to be upset about what the cat has to eat. I would love to hear that I'm just being paranoid and it's a non-issue, but want to know what i'm getting into, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 there are synthetic versions of taurine. That is how vegan catfood is made. you are right but they are carnivores-true carnivores. they do not digest plant based products very well if at all. trust me- if I could feed my cats vegan I would w/o even thinking twice. this is what I do. I am in veterinary medicine. I know not every one will agree with me but I am going on fact. now dogs- they can do a veggie diet easier if extreme caution and time is put into it. well- just wanted to share my thoughts. and there is food out there that does not use factory farmed meat. I would be mopre than happy to discuss that w/ you off list. maibee23<maibee23 oh- just an update- the dog I rescued went to a new home today. plz- any good thoughts and prayers that this be his permanent(ok- so I can't spell!!) woould be sooooo great!! thx again to all for your support. and one question- tofurky or the now and zen one?? never had the latter and am thinking of trying it. cristene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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