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Why are we so protective of cats and dogs but have little issue with eating cows, pigs and rabbits?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100217/ap_on_re_eu/eu_italy_cat_stew
Host suspended for admitting he liked cat stew. What makes one animal edible and the other not? (I should note, I do eat meat, and would eat cat if push came to starving.)
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Host suspended for admitting he liked cat stew. What makes one animal edible and the other not? (I should note, I do eat meat, and would eat cat if push came to starving.)
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February 18, 2010 07:48 AM
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In Western culture dogs and cats have basically been incorporated to the human social structure as defacto family members. Cows and pigs have been seen more as agricultural products, commodities raised for the value as food, linked genetically to game animals that we used to hunt in our distant past.
This disconnect allows most people not to relate any human sensibility to the cow or pig as they do to a cat or dog.
This of course has exceptions. Humans have a great ability to endear themselves to a wide variety of animals. I've known farmers that have a special cow, one that is pampered and never to be sold at auction. Likewise with pigs, such as the pot belly pigs that you mentioned.
I enjoy eating meat. Beef, pork, fish, poultry, lamb even ostrich. If someone else wants to eat dog, cat, rat, hamster, goldfish or parrot, it is there choice. As long as the animals I eat are not the confiscated pet of another person; and as long as my pets are not snatched to be made into some stew, people may eat whatever they enjoy and not be guilty about it.
This disconnect allows most people not to relate any human sensibility to the cow or pig as they do to a cat or dog.
This of course has exceptions. Humans have a great ability to endear themselves to a wide variety of animals. I've known farmers that have a special cow, one that is pampered and never to be sold at auction. Likewise with pigs, such as the pot belly pigs that you mentioned.
I enjoy eating meat. Beef, pork, fish, poultry, lamb even ostrich. If someone else wants to eat dog, cat, rat, hamster, goldfish or parrot, it is there choice. As long as the animals I eat are not the confiscated pet of another person; and as long as my pets are not snatched to be made into some stew, people may eat whatever they enjoy and not be guilty about it.
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February 18, 2010 07:01 AM
I had a pet pot belly pig as a child. We did eat him after a few years, but he was as smart as most dogs until we did. lol
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February 18, 2010 07:24 AM
I guess there's less of a social stigma to this than eating fido or fluffy. You know the one about the 3 legged pig who twice saved the farmer and his families life. When a stranger came and asked that's how he lost his leg saving you the farmer says no. He's a special pig so you just can't eat him all at once.lol
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February 18, 2010 08:40 AM
lol I hadn't heard that one.
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February 18, 2010 02:01 PM
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It's a cultural issue, I believe. In the US we keep dogs and cats as pets and beloved companions, and wouldn't think of eating them any more than we'd eat our own children. In some cultures it's acceptable to eat dogs (and maybe cats?). With bunnies, well, sometimes they are pets, too, I guess, but I've never personally eaten one. I love them cows and piggies, though.
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February 18, 2010 11:13 PM
Rabbit actually tastes very similar to chicken with the texture of pork. You may have eaten and never known as it can easily be mistaken for chicken.
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February 18, 2010 10:20 PM
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On the one hand, cats and dogs and horses perform services for us, which is why we feel protective of them.
Cats keep vermin down.
Dogs help us hunt, keep us company, warn us of intruders, keep intruders at bay, help blind people navigate, help us find drugs in the mail, help us track criminals, and just generally love us humans and want to please us.
Horses we can ride or have them pull us.
Cows, pigs, and rabbits on the other hand are just raised for food. There are some pigs becoming pets lately, but it is no secret they are motivated by food, while dogs are motivated by affection from humans. On the whole, humans feel less attached to pigs, even the ones that are pets.
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Cats keep vermin down.
Dogs help us hunt, keep us company, warn us of intruders, keep intruders at bay, help blind people navigate, help us find drugs in the mail, help us track criminals, and just generally love us humans and want to please us.
Horses we can ride or have them pull us.
Cows, pigs, and rabbits on the other hand are just raised for food. There are some pigs becoming pets lately, but it is no secret they are motivated by food, while dogs are motivated by affection from humans. On the whole, humans feel less attached to pigs, even the ones that are pets.
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