Poll: Is it morally wrong to eat cats and dogs?

[Belated]

It's not wrong when you think about it, just gross and disturbing because we love cats and dogs so much because they're so adorable and make such great companions. But they're animals the same as chickens, cows, and pigs, which we eat by the truckload.

Although I suppose one could argue that it's wrong because dogs and cats are a lot more intelligent than the animals we usually eat. Which is probably a pretty valid argument, but where exactly is the intelligence cutoff? Where's the line? It's not exactly easy to measure the intelligence of a species that isn't us.

 

[Akihiko]

Well I certainly wouldn't eat a cat or dog if they were my pet. Other than that I don't think it's anymore wrong than eating other animals.

 

[Skratt]

Look, it may not be morally reprehensible to eat a cat or dog, but I think several people have already stated - wtf? Animals usually taste like what they eat anyway so who wants to eat fido and muffy - both of whom are known to eat their own $%^&?

Just sayin...

 

[Rayne870]

Humans taste better anyway.

 

[Mcupobob]

I wouldn't say its wrong. But when I look at a dog or cat I think "Friend/companion" and when I look at a cow I think "Lunch!". Its a culture thing though. So too each his own blah blah.

 

[kikon9]

It's against my religion, it probably has awful taste and why the fuck would you want to eat a dog or a cat.

What about the Asian dogs that are bred for eating?

 

[marurder]

Having eaten dog it is actually quite good. So 'it tastes awful' isn't true.

 

[spartan231490]

Personally, this may be because I don't have any pets of my own but I wouldn't have any problems with eating a cat or a dog more than I would with say a sheep or a pig. While the UK I've never seen anywhere that serves either if I ever go to China and get the opportunity to try some I probably will. However, I'm interested to see what everyone else thinks as I know a lot of people get really emotional about pets and wouldn't want to see a distant cousin of their beloved Mr. Cuddles in a burger, which I can kinda understand.

So Escapists, what are your opinions?

Personally, i wouldn't eat one because I would be worried about the taste(carnivores have a very different taste than grain or grass fed animals) and because I think dogs and cats are more useful as companions than as food(because of their intelligence) but I don't think it's wrong. I wouldn't eat octopus or calamari either, but that doesn't make it evil.

why would dogs and cats be more intelligent than other animals? I'm pretty sure sheep can make fine pets too, any animal can be trained. and you can get horse meat no problem.
I agree though, I wouldn't eat cats or dogs (or octopus), but it's all between my ears, I have no rational reasons for not eating them.

Dogs and cat's are definitely more intelligent than pigs and cows, and probably sheep as well. I don't eat horse meat because it's more useful as a beast of burden.

 

[Xisin]

I think it's fine to eat them, but I wouldn't want to. Neither look tasty. If I could pick any animal to eat in the entire world, it would be horse. Only eats grass, so its safe and I could feed a family for 2 weeks on just one. Plus, it looks delicious.

 

[dslatch]

Is it morally wrong to eat deer and pigs? They're all animals and we are predators, its a little drafty on top of the food chain.

 

[Booze Zombie]

An individual can become attached to a pig, a cow, a dog, a cat, a tiger, a deer, a horse... it isn't morally wrong to eat one, it would be morally wrong to eat someone's pet, though.

 

[Bobbity]

No. We might find it repugnant, due to our culture, but it's absolutely no different to eating a cow or a pig.

 

[stormcrow5]

I wouldent go out of my way to do it, but i dont see how its wrong, its just another part of wildlife just because we tame them and make them into pets dosent change the fact we eat almost everything else in the world. hell it could be a human as long as its cooked right and u dont know thats what it is you may think its fantastic. Eating is eating how can 1 thing be wrong and another not

 

[Akalistos]

No, it not immoral and yeah, if given the chance i would try some. I lived in a rural municipality from birth to ten and each year the local social club held a buffet for hunter with what they were able to hunt. I've eaten Mose, Deer, Beaver (giggidy), muskrat, boar... you name it... tho the Bear Meatpie was eaten before I could try it. Sigh!

Morally wrong? no. But they taste terrible.

I don't like the idea of people eating my furry friends, but I don't object to it either. Heck, I eat cow and some people consider them divine.

As long as its not harmful to them, who am I to judge what people eat?

Do you think it's not harmful to their life to get eaten? Tho, I have to commend you on having the balls to try some. I'm one of the rare people that did try fried bugs when the insectarium (aka, the bug zoo) decided to give sampling. I loved the chocolate coated worms.

it's gross, but not morally wrong. however, you do realize you're opening a can of worms about the morality of eating meat in general, right?

Not only that but a discussion about why the society see it that way and if it's should be that way.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

It depends on how they taste.

 

[Kevlar Eater]

I've eaten both, and like any other meat (with the exception of shellfish, which I'm allergic to), both taste good when properly cooked.

And no, I don't think it's morally wrong to eat a common pet. If your dog or cat was starving really bad, it will eventually put 2+2 together and realize its master is made of meat. There is no morality in that, only instinct and the feeling of an empty belly begging to be filled.

 

[Gaiseric]

Nope.

They wouldn't be my first choice at the meat counter though.

 

[Double A]

No, it's not wrong, assuming the animal isn't someone's pet. I've never had either, but if given the choice, I'd probably try them. I expect cat wouldn't taste very good, but I'm not sure about dog.

 

[Jake0fTrades]

Morally unethical? No. Culturally taboo? Yes.

 

[SilentCom]

I don't know if I would consider it morally wrong, but it is socially unacceptable in many places. Personally, I think it's gross because I like cats and dogs. I have a pet dog and she's like a member of the family. Heck, I empathize with my dog better than I do with most people.

I guess this sort of goes along with people not wanting to eat bugs or whatever. Most will agree that it's not immoral but rather it's just gross and sometimes socially unacceptable.