diet choices

Crafty Girlie links to a craigs list post about a vegan cat rescuer who is looking for a new home for the cat. The requirement: the home must be vegan and willing to feed the cat a vegan diet. This is absolutely ludicrous. A cat would never choose a vegan diet over a comparably non-rancid carniverous one, because that is what they have evolved to consume. Meat contains the nutrients, microorgganisms, proteins, and enzymes that they need to survive in a healthy manner. I’m going to stop this part of the rant right there because I don’t think any further argument is necessary…it’s just frickin obvious.

Now, the part that drives me nuts is these veg*’s who try to push their decision onto others, particularly children and pets. Dogs and humans are both omniverous. Say it with me now, om-ni-ver-ous. That means meats and vegetables. I believe that for a vegetarian or vegan, or whatever combination you are, to raise a child without meat, to impose this lifestyle for whatever reason, upon an innocent, is abusive and wrong…it’s as bad or worse than teaching them racism or dogma, because it is putting their health at risk. I’m not saying that they need a daily trip to McDonald’s, but meat a couple times a week along with a responsible vegetarian diet will supply enough nutrition for them to grow strong with minimal risk. When they’re of age, let them make the decision themselves. And don’t tell me your five year-old prefers vegetarian fare to meat, because they’re just trying to make you happy.

One other quick point about the choice to become vegetarian, particularly for protest about the treatment of animals. If you really want to have an effect on the way animals are treated, you would be far better served to purchase the meat of animals who have been raised and slaughtered humanely than to abstain entirely. Support those who try to do the right thing rather than nobody at all.