As a vegetarian (and wanna-be vegan), I have a lot of philisophical struggles which I work through on a regular basis. Since this forum is a unique opportunity to get some honest thoughtful feedback from other vegetarians/vegans, I'd really appreciate your opinions on this topic:
I'm not a cavy-mom, but as some may know by now, I'm a hedgehog mom who's used this site to create an 'el grande' C&C condo for my boys...plus it's very much in line with my personal attittudes re: breeding, rescue, etc.
So here's my issue... hedgehogs are naturally insectivores. In captivity, their diet must remain a very carefully balanced combination of high end, high quality cat-foods with high protein, low fibre and low fat levels. They do eat the occasional bit of fruit or veggies but it's quite rare and they would become very sick and die if on a vegetarian diet.... obligate carnivores here; unlike dogs. And on the dog note, our dog Bleu (adopted 4 months ago) is actually on a diet transitioning to a primarily veggie diet. We're very attentive to food types and do our best to give them the most nutritious and whole foods possible.
So. How can I (as a vegetarian) address the fact that I feel so uncomfortable with purchasing dead animal products for my companion animals? I don't purchase leather; I buy only non-animal-tested personal and home care items, etc etc. and yet here I am buying food with chicken, lamb and salmon! Granted I could have chosen to only have herbivore companion animals, like GPs or rabbits, but that wasn't in my brain at the time and now I see this as being hypocrisy in my own lifestyle. Yes - after these boys pass away (may that be a long time from now) I could choose to not adopt any more, but what about the requests we get for foster care and advice we get from the local humane society? Do I say that I can't take more hedgies in, to not support animal suffering and death, or do I care for the hedgies who are in need and have been neglected and mal-nourished and at the same time betray my conscience?
Suffised to say I feel like I'm in a quandry here and since I know so few vegetarians/vegans in my personal circle, I don't have people to really bounce these thoughts off of! I'd really appreciate any comments/ideas/etc. Thanks in advance!
I'm not a cavy-mom, but as some may know by now, I'm a hedgehog mom who's used this site to create an 'el grande' C&C condo for my boys...plus it's very much in line with my personal attittudes re: breeding, rescue, etc.
So here's my issue... hedgehogs are naturally insectivores. In captivity, their diet must remain a very carefully balanced combination of high end, high quality cat-foods with high protein, low fibre and low fat levels. They do eat the occasional bit of fruit or veggies but it's quite rare and they would become very sick and die if on a vegetarian diet.... obligate carnivores here; unlike dogs. And on the dog note, our dog Bleu (adopted 4 months ago) is actually on a diet transitioning to a primarily veggie diet. We're very attentive to food types and do our best to give them the most nutritious and whole foods possible.
So. How can I (as a vegetarian) address the fact that I feel so uncomfortable with purchasing dead animal products for my companion animals? I don't purchase leather; I buy only non-animal-tested personal and home care items, etc etc. and yet here I am buying food with chicken, lamb and salmon! Granted I could have chosen to only have herbivore companion animals, like GPs or rabbits, but that wasn't in my brain at the time and now I see this as being hypocrisy in my own lifestyle. Yes - after these boys pass away (may that be a long time from now) I could choose to not adopt any more, but what about the requests we get for foster care and advice we get from the local humane society? Do I say that I can't take more hedgies in, to not support animal suffering and death, or do I care for the hedgies who are in need and have been neglected and mal-nourished and at the same time betray my conscience?
Suffised to say I feel like I'm in a quandry here and since I know so few vegetarians/vegans in my personal circle, I don't have people to really bounce these thoughts off of! I'd really appreciate any comments/ideas/etc. Thanks in advance!