Vegetarians like animals too – they just do not eat them. Or perhaps that is why they do not eat them. Whatever! There is a question that troubles some vegetarians that own pets, and it is: do I have to feed them meat or can I provide vegetarian diets for my cat and dog. It is well worth thinking about this dilemma before getting a usually carnivorous pet.
Domestic carnivores such as cats and dogs are omnivores, meaning that they will eat pretty much anything If a domestic animal goes ferule (wild) it will revert to its primitive kind, which means that it will hunt and scavenge.
Cats and dogs will eat grains and grasses but they prefer them semi-digested, which is why, after they make a kill, they usually tear the stomach open first and eat that and the internal organs. The meat comes last on the list.
You can see by looking at the animals’ teeth that they have fangs for killing and gripping (for ripping) and molars for grinding and crushing. The grinding and crushing refers to grains and bones.
This means that you might be able to sustain your pets on a vegetarian diet, |but it almost certainly will not be simple. There has been a great deal of research into the dietary needs of human beings and so someone on a diet, measures what he consumes against what his body needs and takes supplements to match the deficit.
However do you know precisely what your pets’ requirements are and how you can supply them? If you do not, where will you find out? I am certain you can with quite a lot of study, yet do you have that level of commitment? And do you think that your pet would thank you for making it a vegetarian? It may even turn your pet into a rapacious killer to make up the deficit or fulfill its craving for meat.
Cats and dogs require a high percentage of protein, but do you think that you will be able to sneak enough nuts and tofu into its diet to supply enough? You may find your pets chasing every bird in your garden trying to get some meat, instead of observing them languidly from under your seat.
All in all, a vegetarian diet is not a good idea for domestic animals such as cats and dogs, and if you have trouble opening the cans or giving it raw meat, perhaps you could get someone else in the family who is a little less delicate to feed the animals or you could feed them meat less often, say only when you take them to your friend’s or mother’s house, then you can let them do it for you.
The other approach is to get rabbits or gerbils and tropical fish. Cats are not useful animals as dogs are in the sense that a dog will deter burglars and if you are just thinking of pets as stress-reducers or a way of introducing your kids to the animal world, a rabbit will do that equally as well.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on a number of subjects, and is currently involved with quick vegetarian recipes. If you want to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our site at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.
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