Imagine being presented with an unpleasant choice: either kill hundreds of pigs, cows, chickens and fish to save the life of a dog. Alternatively, you can take the life of the dog to save the lives of hundreds of other animals. Clearly, the most rational decision would be to kill the dog. Yet every day, all over the world, 'compassionate' people will feed the flesh of certain species to their beloved four-legged companions.
In order to keep one cat alive for an average lifespan of 15 years, hundreds of other animal’s lives are sacrificed. This pure speciesism is deep-rooted in our culture. Not a second thought is given to the animals that end up in a can of Whiskers or Pedigree. Feeding meat to a companion animal affects the welfare of other animals, yet this can be avoided. The morality of these actions probably hasn't crossed the minds of most people and as long as humans continue to consume animal products it is unlikely that this will change anytime soon.
Another ethical concern is the perception of animals as property. In most countries, companion animals are recognised as property and have few legal protections (1). They are solely for the use of humans and, although they are often treated as family members, are bought and sold as objects. Although, as animals are not aware that they are being treated as property and this does not affect their welfare it is not one of the main ethical concerns.
Furthermore, humans should question whether it is right to keep animals in the home or in cages. Adopting an animal requires a lot of time, care and money. Even those with the best intentions are not able to provide the ideal home or enough time to play or walk their companion animal which leads to neglect. Small animals that are normally kept in cages can have a lack of enrichment and are unable to perform natural behaviours. There is also the problem of naturally social animals being housed alone and naturally solitary animals being housed in groups. Animals have an interest in avoiding pain, suffering, hunger and thirst as well as the desire to feel joy and happiness and to express normal behaviours. Humans wanting to adopt an animal should be able to provide more than the basic requirements of their chosen companion.
Tens of thousands of pets are abandoned each year and in 2016 the RSPCA investigated over 100,000 reports of animal abuse in the UK alone (2). The fact that companion animals were created to be dependent on humans is morally wrong. Their dependence on us makes them vulnerable and causes great suffering to those who are abandoned. They are unable to defend themselves against abusive owners and can’t fend for themselves when left on the streets.
To overcome this problem it is possible to feed dogs a plant-based diet which they can thrive on (3). It is also possible to feed cats a vegan diet as long as they do not have a urinary tract problem and their meals are carefully planned and contain all of the essential nutrients (4). When considering adopting a companion animal it is best to opt for an animal that is naturally a herbivore such as a rabbit or a guinea pig.
The use of animals as companions is primarily for the benefit of humans. An end to the use of animals as companions would provide the greatest benefits to non-human animals. This may not be immediately possible but the best humans can do at the moment is to feed their companion animals a plant-based diet where possible and opt for naturally herbivorous animals from shelters rather than breeders and gradually phase out the use of animals as companions.
To overcome this problem it is possible to feed dogs a plant-based diet which they can thrive on (3). It is also possible to feed cats a vegan diet as long as they do not have a urinary tract problem and their meals are carefully planned and contain all of the essential nutrients (4). When considering adopting a companion animal it is best to opt for an animal that is naturally a herbivore such as a rabbit or a guinea pig.
The use of animals as companions is primarily for the benefit of humans. An end to the use of animals as companions would provide the greatest benefits to non-human animals. This may not be immediately possible but the best humans can do at the moment is to feed their companion animals a plant-based diet where possible and opt for naturally herbivorous animals from shelters rather than breeders and gradually phase out the use of animals as companions.
References
1. Palmer, C. and Kasperbauer, T. (n.d.). Ethics & Companion Animals. [ebook] Texas A&M University. Available at: https://tjkasperbauer.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/routledge-companion_animals-fin3.pdf [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
1. Palmer, C. and Kasperbauer, T. (n.d.). Ethics & Companion Animals. [ebook] Texas A&M University. Available at: https://tjkasperbauer.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/routledge-companion_animals-fin3.pdf [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
2. Winter, S. (2016). The cruel, the bad and the sickening... Britain's pet crime shame. [online] Express. Available at: https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/654900/Animal-cruelty-RSPCA-Britain [Accessed 19 Nov. 2017].
3. Capps, A. (2015). What About Vegans Who Feed Meat to Cats and Dogs?. [online] Free From Harm. Available at: https://freefromharm.org/common-justifications-for-eating-animals/vegan-dogs-and-cats/ [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
4. Vegan Cats. (n.d.). VeganCats.com - Frequently Asked Questions - Vegan Cat Food - Vegan Dog Food. [online] Available at: http://www.vegancats.com/veganfaq.php [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
3. Capps, A. (2015). What About Vegans Who Feed Meat to Cats and Dogs?. [online] Free From Harm. Available at: https://freefromharm.org/common-justifications-for-eating-animals/vegan-dogs-and-cats/ [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
4. Vegan Cats. (n.d.). VeganCats.com - Frequently Asked Questions - Vegan Cat Food - Vegan Dog Food. [online] Available at: http://www.vegancats.com/veganfaq.php [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
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