Topic for debate: vegan cats: yes or no?

October 3, 2004

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004, Susan Spain wrote:

> Fraggle's cat(s) wouldn't eat it. Do you have cats, and do they like

> this stuff, and have they remained energetic and happy with shiny coats

> and no eye problems?

I have seven cats. They all like Vegecat and Evloution. (The ones I've had

since kittenhood were raised on Vegekit until they were a year old.) At

feeding time, they come clamoring from all parts of the house, and line up

eagerly at their bowls. They are *very* energetic and happy and purry and

snuggly, and have shiny coats and good eyes. My now-deceased cat was

energetic and happy and had a shiny coat and no eye problems until she was

in her teens, when she develop a thyroid problem (common in cats

regardless of diet; my mother's non-vegan cat had the exact same problem)

and also lost her sight. The vet said her eye problem was a result of age

and genetics, and was not related to diet.

Jim Sinclair jisincla

October 5, 2004

Hi Craig,

Do you really think I chat like a non Vegan simply because I said our pets that we love and care for should be giving a choice in their selection of food the same way we were giving choices. I truly do understand your passion and conviction on this issue but I remain grounded on my views in reference to choice... whether human or animal we should all have a choice in what we do and at no time should one's beliefs be force upon another. It is our job to enlighten and not preach. We must take the emotions out of the situation and think about how it would make us feel if we don't have a choice... Just something to think about.

Personally, I would love to see all animals free...wouldn't that be great? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. I, myself have two pets (my children) a Rabbit and a Guinea pig and that is all. I guess, you thought I had more than that...sorry, I have just the two and they are spoiled . My Guinea Pig came from a very abusive environment and it take sometime for him to trust people again but that was OK...I had all the time in the world. My Rabbit came from a very trusted breeder and was a gift to me when my first bunny passed away. However, my hat does goes off to you for recursing animals... that is just great. Good Job!!! I wish that there where more people like you :-).

I read your comments on racism...I think you used it out of context here is the definition but I did understand what you were thinking about.

rac·ism (rszm)n.

The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

By the way Craig, I LOVE a great debate and I can see you do too! (LOL)

I hope, you are not sour with me...you must understand that "Not All Great Minds Think Alike." This is what makes us unique. This, I am sure we can both agree upon.

Cannot wait to chat with you again.

Rashaan

I found this comment to be very interesting indeed. No, I would have to disagree with you on that my friend. I am Vegan mind, body, and soul. Craig Dearth <cd39 wrote:

Rashaan,

You chat with vegans yet you act like an omnivore or non Vegan.

if you are keeping Rabbits and guinea pigs and they were not rescued animals,

then I would say you do not understand what it is to be Vegan. (if they are rescued then hats off to you)

Compassion compassion compassion ..we rescued both our dogs from the dog pound.

if ... all breeders stopped breeding dogs and cats tomorrow

and there were no strays then I would never keep a dog or cat.

we do some rescue work with wild animals in our area the main goal is to rehabilitate not to captivate.

our dogs are victims of this world and mans intervention they would not be here if it wasn't for us.

so to justify additional Killing in order to feed them goes against everything Vegan.

I am a Vegan for Ethical reasons first and foremost

I am Vegan for Environmental & Health reasons second.

what I .. eat, wear, buy , clean with, fertilize my garden with,

everything I do must reflect that no animal will be harmed to produce that product.

Getting back to the "pointless point"

racism runs deep in the Human to animal world, kill this animal save that one, kill this colony protect that one.

fill in the names or species it is all the same no matter where you look.

I can provide a better meal with more of what my dogs need by feeding them the vegan diet I prepare for them

than any commercial product on the market. and in doing so not harm any other animals.

that to me my friend is the heart of being a Vegan,

not just picking and choosing which animal will live and which will die.. Meat is Murder simple and True.

now all that aside I live in Perth Western Australia, our dogs are in the Bush 5 times a week or more

Kangaroos here are treated like Vermin (the battle rages) and often they get shot and left to die.

when my dogs come across old bones and want to chew them (as long as it doesn't stink) I let them

Anna Lise is a border collie cross about 6 years old now. she has been Vegan now for almost 4 years and

without a doubt the most alert, fit and healthy dog I have ever known, her teeth are always clean

no bad breath or body odour and a shinny healthy coat, she doesn't pick up the bones anymore.

our other dog Romeo has been a Vegan since Jan. this year he was rescued from the pound in sad shape

his rear hips looked as if he had not exercised in a year or more his fur was falling out he had 3 boils

dirty teeth bad breath an odour that was foul he was farting (lol) like an old man.

now 8 months later his coat is shinny, no bad breath, no body odour, only 1 of the boils is still there and it has shrunk from the size of an apricot to the size of a pea, his rear hips look normal and he rarely farts (lol).

Now all of that is something to think about

all the best

Craig

Craig,

You point is pointless..."Dogs and cats in our care ARE not wild animals so there choices of food is ours not theirs." Come on Craig...I have two pets one is a Rabbit and the other is a Guinea pig and both are Vegans by nature. I would NEVER thinking of feeding them something that their don't eat. I like Meat. It's something to think about.

rashaan Craig Dearth <cd39 wrote:

Hiya Susan and Rashaan,

we have had this debate here before

Dogs and cat in our care ARE not wild animals so there choices of food is ours not theirs

compassion is our choice we just share that with them

my two dogs are healthy happy and FIT (too fit sometimes)

energy plus etc..

so I would recommend a Vegan diet for them

if you like I will forward what I feed my dogs to you

it is a bit of work at first but worth it in the end

all the best

Craig

I like your viewpoint susan...it should be the animals choice. Susan Spain <susanspain2004 wrote:

Interesting... So I wonder: if cats were given vegan food side-by-side with meat-based food, would some choose to be vegan? I mean, pick that food over the meat-based stuff? Or would their instincts drive them to eat the meat, there being no "moral" choice to the killing from the perspective of the cat...rashaan laurent <rnlaurent wrote:

I am vegan but I don't know if I would want my cat or dog to do the same. The same way it was my choice not to eat animal product...I would want the same for my pet.

rashaanJo bb <Heartwork wrote:

Yes - Veggiekat and Veggiekitten.Jo Topic for debate: vegan cats: yes or no?> Anyone's two cents welcome on this discussion!To send an email to -

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October 5, 2004

Hi

I presume you mean that pets should be offered both meat and vegan so that they can choose. You cannot really follow through this concept though because if they are to have yhorough freedom to choose then you must offer them a serving of every food in the world! - just so they have a proper choice. My understanding of cats is that if they don't like what you are feeding them they attach themselves to another home where they like the menu better.

Jo