Is it ethical for a vegan to have a carnivore as a pet?

[Jon]

A while back I was on a date with a vegan. It was her big thing, as is often the case with vegans. They feel passionately about it. She also had a dog - you can see where this is going! She loved her dog, loves dogs in general.

So I asked, "Is it ethical for a vegan to have a carnivore as a pet?" She imploded.

What is your view?

 

[NauticalGent]

It does present a certain conflict doesn't it. Too bad you didnt record the conversation.

 

[Dreamweaver]

She imploded.

That's the best Quote I've heard in a long time

 

[MajP]

Dogs are actually omnivores and can survive on a vegan diet.

Can Dogs Stay Healthy On A Vegetarian Diet?

A number of my vegetarian clients have asked me whether or not their dogs can be vegetarians too. It is true that dogs belong to the order Carnivora, but they are actually omnivores.

www.petmd.com

However you cannot stop them from legally purchasing a gun and voting Republican. That would be unethical.

 

[isladogs]

I'm trying to think of a witty reply that could trump that but I've failed. …
As it is, I've just snorted red wine over the puppy!

 

[The_Doc_Man]

True, dogs are omnivores like humans. Except that my doctor and I disagree on the exact meaning of "omnivore."

I say it means I eat anything. He says it means I eat everything. And if that is true, then it explains something.

You can put out enough cat food to feed a cat for two days and he will only eat a small amount each day. If you put out two days' worth of food for a dog, he'll eat it all early on the first day and then be miffed because you didn't come back and feed him on the second day.

 

[isladogs]

Especially if its a Labrador...
Rumour has that one of their ancestors missed a meal in the far distant past and they've never forgotten.
The good thing is that it makes labs incredibly easy to train.

 

[Jon]

Is it the quantity of meat or the quantity of souls eaten that determines the ethical choice? Do I go for that steak or the whitebait, commonly known as the plate of death?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Cows are vegan, they eat grass, I eat cows, therefor I am a vegan QED...

 

[Jon]

You ate the gatherer! Don't eat the fishing net!

 

[MajP]

My neighbor has a sign on the fence. "Beware of dog! He is off his meds and has a concealed carry permit." with an image of a dog packing. Kind of funny here, may not go over big in the UK.

 

[MajP]

If I get time I will post my dog. Looks alot like the image, and that is how she acts. Most bizarre animal I have ever had. She will eat every cigarette butt or nasty cigar butt on the ground. She sucks them up like an ant eater. She will suck beer down like a fraternity boy. Basically she is white trailer trash. However, she will not eat red meat. Bernie Sanders should campaign with her. I can pull a steak off the grill and cut a piece off. Then I can put next to it some broccoli, cucumbers, onions, etc. She will suck all of those vegies down and spit out the steak. It is a great party trick.

 

[Jon]

Is Bernie Sanders a vegan? Does he have a dog?

 

[MajP]

Is Bernie Sanders a vegan? Does he have a dog?

@Jon I have to assume all socialist are vegans, and hence they have a dog. Most likely a designer dog like a labradoodle. Real men like me have a hound.

 

[Jon]

I saw this pimped up poodle while I was in Vegas airport. I've never seen anything like it! Obviously just been to the doggy boutique for a fluff up.

I have an argument that vegetarianism is the height of cruelty. It deserves a thread of its own.

 

[MajP]

@Jon you are totally wrong. The height of cruelty is having a support Peacock.

 

[Deleted member 147267]

If you put out two days' worth of food for a dog, he'll eat it all early on the first day and then be miffed because you didn't come back and feed him on the second day.

We've only ever had 2 dogs, one a lab/shepherd cross and the current one looks like a Bischon Maltese or maybe Maltese Poodle mix. We don't know because she doesn't look like either parent, which were both supposedly purebreds of some sort. Anyway, with either one we'd put food out in the morning and it might be there when we came home. We'd put out another measured amount which may or may not get eaten when we eat. All we knew is that the portions got eaten whenever it was convenient, I guess. Not only that, I can leave my lunch on the sofa arm with the pooch on the sofa and go to the kitchen and the dog won't touch it.

 

[isladogs]

Try doing that with a 'pure bred' labrador .... gone before you know it

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Gotta say, MajP, that pic of the dog on the couch is CLASSIC.

 

[kevlray]

Just be aware cats cannot be vegans, they need meat. I heard a story a few years ago where a lady was trying to get her cats to become vegans. She almost killed them.