Some people scare me with their stupidity...

[conuly]

Let's get this cleared up.

Recipe communities are for human foods, not animal foods. If you want to know about cats, dogs, mice, talk in those communities instead.

More importantly...

Cats are carnivores.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to put your cat on a vegan diet. That's right, I said vegan. Not vegetarian, which is still highly iffy, but vegan.

Cats need animal products. Shit, cats need meat, because dairy ain't good for them, and there's no way your cat can survive on eggs alone.

Now, there's nothing wrong with being a vegetarian or a vegan. You're making your own choices about what you eat, and humans did not evolve to primarily eat meat. In fact, if we ate as much meat as cats do (proportionately), we'd probably die of a protein overload. If the thought of animals dying is so much that you'll let your pet cat suffer with an inadequate diet, get a rabbit instead. They are perfectly happy to be meatfree, and they're just as smart.


Incidentally, I'm not too thrilled with the cat food that's generally available in the US.... aside from being bulked up with "animal byproducts" and grains, and containing dairy products (which, if you've been paying attention, is bad for cats)... Cats in the wild do not eat beef, nor turkey, nor lamb, nor even chicken. Cats in the wild eat pigeons and sparrows and mice.

Here is a page detailing some things to look for in cat food. It's a little cutesy, but....

Comments

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

I hate vegan diets.

What I hate more are the arguments for them. If you can't handle that your feline friend has pointy teeth for a reason, for christ's sake get a rabbit!

The arguments I hate: "but cats can thrive on a vegan diet!" If it's beefed up with more chemicals (even "natural") than you can shake a stick at. "Eating meat is barbaric!" Food web. Humans pulled themselves outside it by being omniverous. Cats are still in it. "I will not have meat eating in my house!" You are just one selfish, idealistic prat.

There's others. One that sounded even vaguely reasonable but I can't remember it right now. And I do mean vaguely. I just... ugh. It's nice to see people stick to their convictions but the cat didn't ask for it!

I had to rant. I've seen crap like this before. Grr.

[conuly]

Exactly. Humans can be vegan, so long as they don't think that means subsisting off of french fries and fast food salads. Cats can't. Cats can't be vegetarian either. Cats need to eat meat. And sure it's cruel and barbaric to survive by killing others, but that's the way the world is, unfortunately. Cats are predators, they can't help it. If it's really so important to you, great, I admire your convictions. Get yourself a pet rabbit.

[georgiapeachy.livejournal.com]

I agree, my uncle is a militant vegan PETA member and he feeds his cats in a vegan manner. Most of them don't live too long, altough there are one or two who are able to subsist well on the diet and justify to him applying it to the rest. In every population there are a few who can survive on less than ideal food, but forcing to the detriment of those who can't is morally reprehensible.

[conuly]

That's just disgusting. *hugs the kitties*

Can people not wrap their minds around the fact that some animals evolved to kill other animals? Yes, cats are no longer needed to keep the rodent population down, but that doesn't mean they don't still need meat. And while I'll agree that conditions for farm animals in this country are atrocious, that can't be helped. Your cat still needs to eat meat.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

Ah yes. And the vegans that say "my cat has been vegan for four years!" are the worst, because when you explain it to them they show you pictures of their precious and malnourished animal.

Because ribs are beautiful. ::gags.::

I just don't understand why they always seem to have to own the carnivores. There's plenty of herbivores out there-- and rabbits make great pets. >.