Let cats be carnivores

Photo: wikihow.com

I read a story a while ago about a vegan who is promoting a no-meat lifestyle for cats. 

In fact, this guy has not fed his cat any meat-type product in months.

Do you know what they call a cat that is not allowed to eat any sort of meat product?

A hungry cat.

Cats have been roaming the Earth since there was an Earth to roam, and I doubt even once did a feline prefer a salad over an entrée of fresh mouse.

The article touched off a heated discussion not seen since the great dogs-should-be-allowed-to-hump-your-leg-as-a-form-of-personal-expression debate of 1973.

Both sides of the meatless cat diet are making their case, but I have to side with the ones who seem to have an IQ greater than a bowl of turnips, like the veterinarian who said cats need to eat meat.

To this I say, “No duh.”

Cats are carnivores and just because a flower eater wants his cat to eat soy products, leafs and berries does not mean cats were meant to eat soy products, leafs and berries.

Those pointy teeth are there for a reason. So are the claws. They were not designed to take down a carrot or head of lettuce, but to sink into mice, birds, small rodents and the household dog should it try that humping thing.

Of course, PETA got involved and sided with the plant eater and said cats can live a full and healthy life by eating “an all-vegetable diet with artificial supplements mimicking the essential amino acids and minerals.”

If cats could talk, odds are this one would say, “Are you freaking kidding me?! I’m a cat, and cats eat meaty things. In fact, I am capable of catching and eating meaty things all by myself. Just let me outside and I will take care of my own dinner.”

The cat owner said he has been feeding his cat non-meat products for a year and the cat is just fine (aside from a growing resentment of the kind of owner it has).

“To force cats to eat a vegetarian diet is both unethical and irresponsible," said the veterinarian.

"To impose some vegetarian or vegan ideology on one's cat is to go against the nature of cats and their right to be fed a biologically-appropriate diet."

Yeah, you tell 'em. doc. If God wanted cats to eat nothing but veggies, he would have made them tiny little cows (that ignore you when you call their name.)

The Humane Society of the United States is also against feeding your feline nothing but veggies, and I am pretty sure those folk know what they are talking about.

I must pause for a moment and praise the passionate — if not occasionally misguided — people at PETA for their tireless work in making conditions more humane for animals.

I have seen those "secret" videos of how some animals destined for the barbecue are treated and it truly is sickening.

The way those animals are kept and raised must be changed, but let’s leave the cats alone, OK. Like it or not, say what you want, cats are carnivores. It is that simple.

Hey, I don’t make the rules of nature. I just make fun of people who try to change the rules of nature.

If you make a conscious decision not to eat meat, go ahead, scrum down on sprouts and bark mulch to your heart’s content. I must admit I respect the determination shown by flower eaters to abstain from meat.

A vegan lifestyle is not something I could do. I tried once, but then the barbecue was warmed up, so I went back on the meat wagon.

In the end, to eat meat or not to eat meat is a personal choice, but for a cat eating meat is in their nature.

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to share some chicken-fried steak with the family feline.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.