Why is it ok to cows and chickens, but not dogs and cats?

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Wuffsunie

Platinum Member
May 4, 2002
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Cats and dogs are cute. Really, that's all there is to it.

We don't like to eat the cute animals.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
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tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: Wuffsunie
Cats and dogs are cute. Really, that's all there is to it.

We don't like to eat the cute animals.

rabbits are cute and so are lambs


both of those are tasty
 

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
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First off, there's the "don't eat another carnivore/omnivore" thing that's stamped into our DNA. Part of the food chain and whatnot. Though I wouldn't mind trying Bear.

Secondly, with very little exception carnivore and omnivore meat is not enjoyable to the human tongue. I have heard dog described as "oily, with a strong aftertaste" and cat as "like eating a duck's ass." (seriously)

Third, it's a context issue. People commonly keep cats and dogs as pets, and make friends with them. They are never thought of as being a herd animal. Basically, since nobody farm-raises cats and dogs for mass slaughter, people can't accept the idea. It's a bit of a Catch-22, but that's basically how it works. If any of us had been raised in a society where butchers commonly or even rarely had cat meat available it wouldn't be an issue.

Fourth, cats and dogs are way smarter than 90% of the animals we use as food. (Pigs being an example of something that is smarter than a cat or dog. Really) Cows and Chickens are just so damn stupid it's hard to feel much for them beyond a certain fondness, and even then it usually only extends to individuals, not the entire species. I used to have chickens as pets; I wouldn't want to eat any of my chickens, but I wasn't shy about stopping at KFC every now and then. Not at all. But all cats and dogs have personality, something about them which reminds us of, well, us. We can tell they're sentient, and thusly we don't want to eat them.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
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Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: Wuffsunie
Cats and dogs are cute. Really, that's all there is to it.

We don't like to eat the cute animals.

rabbits are cute and so are lambs


both of those are tasty

Yep. Rabbit and lamb are both good eats.

Bambi is cute too, but that doesn't stop me from liking venison.
 

Theb

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2006
3,533
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Originally posted by: z42
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Because cows and chickens are delicious, while dogs and cats are not.

The reason they're kept as pets is because humans decided their other uses outweigh their use as food.

Why can't they be both? And quite frankly, dogs are rarely useful unless you are a sheep herder.

I think dogs are a little more useful in security than chickens or cows are. They are also much more trainable. And cats were and still are very useful in containing rodent populations.
I'm going to train a protection chicken, and it's going to get a Schutzhund I title.
 

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
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Originally posted by: Lucifer
Originally posted by: Vic
Because we eat herbivores and not other carnivores.

But pigs eat anything.
Yup. Pigs are also smarter than pretty much any other animal we eat regularly, and smarter than most of our domesticated animals as well. They're kind of the exception to the rule.

Frankly, I think it's because of two things: 1) they are a ludicrously rich food source, what with how dense pork is, and 2) they really don't act that smart, what with the rolling and living in their own waste.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
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Originally posted by: Dacalo

Pets can be grown outside you know. Pigs are really smart in fact, smarter than dogs.

Grown?

You grow a lawn or a tree. You raise an animal.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
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81
Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
because some people are arrogant and stupid enough to think their values should be imposed on everyone else.

you have kids right, let's serve them up.

Anyway...domesticated animals for pets have a 'higher' status in the states.

Even in places where they eat these animals, they are not the typical pet types. There are actual dog breeds that are bred to be 'cow-like' for this purpose.

Dog meat contrary to what most Americans would think is pretty accepted in many countries. Cat meat on the other hand (probably because about 90% of the animal is wasted) is pretty taboo in most places.

In the places that eat these animals, they have never been 'pets'.

In the same logic, a soldier can easily kill an enemy. However; place their own family in front of them and usually it's a lot harder, if not impossible to do.

 

Narse

Moderator<br>Computer Help
Moderator
Mar 14, 2000
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Originally posted by: yukichigai
First off, there's the "don't eat another carnivore/omnivore" thing that's stamped into our DNA. Part of the food chain and whatnot. Though I wouldn't mind trying Bear.

Secondly, with very little exception carnivore and omnivore meat is not enjoyable to the human tongue. I have heard dog described as "oily, with a strong aftertaste" and cat as "like eating a duck's ass." (seriously)

Third, it's a context issue. People commonly keep cats and dogs as pets, and make friends with them. They are never thought of as being a herd animal. Basically, since nobody farm-raises cats and dogs for mass slaughter, people can't accept the idea. It's a bit of a Catch-22, but that's basically how it works. If any of us had been raised in a society where butchers commonly or even rarely had cat meat available it wouldn't be an issue.

Fourth, cats and dogs are way smarter than 90% of the animals we use as food. (Pigs being an example of something that is smarter than a cat or dog. Really) Cows and Chickens are just so damn stupid it's hard to feel much for them beyond a certain fondness, and even then it usually only extends to individuals, not the entire species. I used to have chickens as pets; I wouldn't want to eat any of my chickens, but I wasn't shy about stopping at KFC every now and then. Not at all. But all cats and dogs have personality, something about them which reminds us of, well, us. We can tell they're sentient, and thusly we don't want to eat them.


Wow thats it, well thought out, /bow
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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Originally posted by: Narse
Originally posted by: yukichigai
First off, there's the "don't eat another carnivore/omnivore" thing that's stamped into our DNA. Part of the food chain and whatnot. Though I wouldn't mind trying Bear.

Secondly, with very little exception carnivore and omnivore meat is not enjoyable to the human tongue. I have heard dog described as "oily, with a strong aftertaste" and cat as "like eating a duck's ass." (seriously)

Third, it's a context issue. People commonly keep cats and dogs as pets, and make friends with them. They are never thought of as being a herd animal. Basically, since nobody farm-raises cats and dogs for mass slaughter, people can't accept the idea. It's a bit of a Catch-22, but that's basically how it works. If any of us had been raised in a society where butchers commonly or even rarely had cat meat available it wouldn't be an issue.

Fourth, cats and dogs are way smarter than 90% of the animals we use as food. (Pigs being an example of something that is smarter than a cat or dog. Really) Cows and Chickens are just so damn stupid it's hard to feel much for them beyond a certain fondness, and even then it usually only extends to individuals, not the entire species. I used to have chickens as pets; I wouldn't want to eat any of my chickens, but I wasn't shy about stopping at KFC every now and then. Not at all. But all cats and dogs have personality, something about them which reminds us of, well, us. We can tell they're sentient, and thusly we don't want to eat them.


Wow thats it, well thought out, /bow
Agreed.

I disagree with his last point though. All animals have personality, even mice and hamsters.

It's more of the previous points. It just isn't accepted in our society. It's as simple as that.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Because cows and chickens are delicious, while dogs and cats are not.

The reason they're kept as pets is because humans decided their other uses outweigh their use as food.

Why can't they be both? And quite frankly, dogs are rarely useful unless you are a sheep herder.

WHAT!?! Ever heard of service dogs? Seeing-eye dogs? etc...?

Anyway, they could be both (and are in other cultures). Western culture tends to be disgusted by it since many of us value these animals as parts of our families...no other real reason.
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
Originally posted by: Lucifer
Originally posted by: Vic
Because we eat herbivores and not other carnivores.

But pigs eat anything. And people love eating pork.

People also enjoy eating Shrimp, Lobster, and Crab. All sea-based scavengers, as a pig is a land based scavenger. How do you classify a scavenger in the carnivore/omnivore/herbivore matrix?
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Lucifer
Originally posted by: Vic
Because we eat herbivores and not other carnivores.

But pigs eat anything. And people love eating pork.

People also enjoy eating Shrimp, Lobster, and Crab. All sea-based scavengers, as a pig is a land based scavenger. How do you classify a scavenger in the carnivore/omnivore/herbivore matrix?

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
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81
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.

You are classifying these as a layman would, not a biologist/zoologist.
 

madworm

Senior member
May 31, 2005
271
0
0
what if the combination of cat meat and dog meat is the cure for AIDS, think ppl will start eating them?
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.

You are classifying these as a layman would, not a biologist/zoologist.

Funny...because I am a biologist/zoologist. Scavengers are classified as scavengers. Whether or not they're carn/herb/omnivorous depends on which gives them the most nutrition.
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.

You are classifying these as a layman would, not a biologist/zoologist.

Funny...because I am a biologist/zoologist. Scavengers are classified as scavengers. Whether or not they're carn/herb/omnivorous depends on which gives them the most nutrition.

hahahaha owned. :D
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.

You are classifying these as a layman would, not a biologist/zoologist.

Funny...because I am a biologist/zoologist. Scavengers are classified as scavengers. Whether or not they're carn/herb/omnivorous depends on which gives them the most nutrition.

hahahaha owned. :D

not really his straight carnivore/though scavengers was ambiguous. However...to the point a vulture would chose a herbivore carcass over a carnivore one.

gg though.
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Because cows and chickens are delicious, while dogs and cats are not.

The reason they're kept as pets is because humans decided their other uses outweigh their use as food.

I heard the exact opposite. Someone told me that dogs are incredibly delicious. I'm not kidding.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Depends...pigs would be primarily herbivorous, with omnivorous tendencies.

Rats would be straight up omnivorous, and vultures are straight carnivorous, though scavengers.

You are classifying these as a layman would, not a biologist/zoologist.

Funny...because I am a biologist/zoologist. Scavengers are classified as scavengers. Whether or not they're carn/herb/omnivorous depends on which gives them the most nutrition.

hahahaha owned. :D

not really his straight carnivore/though scavengers was ambiguous. However...to the point a vulture would chose a herbivore carcass over a carnivore one.

gg though.

Was that the point? I was addressing the question of how to classify a scavenger on the "carni/herbi/omnivore matrix". I said vultures are "straight carnivores" because you won't find them munching on Cactus or other plants....however there are extremes when an animal is just soooo hungry it'll try anything.

Vultures would choose whichever carcass was less rotten. At the same rotten-ness...probably yes, a herbivore carcass would provide more fatty energy for them than a lean carnivore carcass.