-
We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.
Why is it ok to cows and chickens, but not dogs and cats?
Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
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.
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.
imported_Lucifer
Diamond Member
But pigs eat anything. And people love eating pork.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
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.
alkemyst
No Lifer
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.
imported_Lucifer
Diamond Member
nm
madeupfacts
Senior member
I have to go cowing sometimes. it sound fun!
Gooberlx2
Lifer
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.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 24K
-
-
