Vegan Perspectives on Pet Ownership: Ethics, Diets, and Quality of Life

As a vegan concerned with animal welfare, the concept of pet ownership can present unique ethical challenges. Vegans strive to avoid all harm to animals, yet the concept of keeping pets, particularly carnivorous ones, inevitably involves making decisions that can conflict with these principles. This article explores the ethical considerations of pet ownership from a vegan standpoint, focusing on the care of carnivorous pets, the viability of vegan diets for them, and the broader implications for animal welfare.

The Ethics of “Ownership”

According to ethologist Jordi Casamitjana, ethical vegans (as opposed to dietary vegans who purely abide by vegan dietary rules) are anti-speciesists, meaning they oppose the idea of any one species as superior to or more deserving of respect than others. They cannot, therefore, condone the concept of "ownership" being applied to an animal, as this reduces sentient beings to commodities.

Even the most pampered pet lacks agency and must abide by the rules of the human caring for it. Ethical vegans believe that because animals are unable to speak, they are unable to give consent. This perspective argues that inability to grant consent doesn't entitle humans to use or exploit animals for any purpose.

Quality of Life Issues

The quality of life for pets is another significant consideration. While many pets are loved and well-cared for, the lifestyles of their human caregivers may create barriers to fulfilling all of their needs. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and behavioral issues, despite best efforts to provide enrichment. The practice of pet ownership begets various issues that adversely impact quality of life for companion animals.

Boredom from Lack of Autonomy: Pets rely entirely on their owners for food, shelter, companionship, and social interaction. This dependency leaves them with little to no autonomy in relieving boredom and meeting socialization needs, a particular plight for animals left alone for long periods or not provided with enough toys or enrichment items. Insufficient outlets for boredom can lead to chronic stress, especially if their needs and natural behaviors are not adequately met.

Impact of Punitive Training Methods: Punitive training methods, such as using physical punishment or aversive training tools, can exacerbate existing stress and insecurities. Studies have shown that such methods can create anxiety and depression in pets, leading to behavioral issues like aggression, withdrawal, and destructive chewing. These training techniques, which focus on suppression and punishment rather than understanding and redirecting natural behaviors, can also undermine a animal's sense of security and trust, eroding their quality of life.

Pets as Possessions: While pets are often seen as family members, they do not receive the same societal protections as human children. Human laws generally regard animals as commodities, perpetuating the idea of pets as expendable when circumstances change. This reality highlights the precariousness of their lives in less responsible or considerate human households, where they may be cherished one moment but deemed a burden the next.

The Ethics of Feeding Carnivorous Pets

One of the most pressing ethical dilemmas for vegans is the necessity of feeding meat to carnivorous animals like cats and dogs. Traditional pet foods contain animal products, which goes against vegan principles. The dilemma is exacerbated by the knowledge that the meat industry and commercial pet food sector contributes to animal suffering and environmental degradation.

To navigate this ethical quandary, some vegans consider alternatives like feeding cats and dogs a plant-based diet. While dogs, being omnivores, may thrive on well-formulated vegan diets, the situation is more complex for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores who rely on animal tissue for nutrients like taurine due to their inability to fully digest plant matter. Proper supplementation may help, but cats on vegan diets often risk severe health issues, making this choice ethically dubious if not approached with extreme caution.

Moreover, the need for supplements to bridge nutritional gaps introduces additional complexities. Ensuring that these supplements are of high quality and that they meet the pet's needs is crucial, yet they may not fully align with the constitution and palatability preferences of carnivorous animals. This raises ethical concerns about imposing human dietary choices on animals, potentially compromising their health.

Adopting Rescue Animals: A Compassionate Approach

Despite these challenges, adopting rescued domestic animals is one way vegans can reconcile their ethical concerns with the desire to care for animals. By providing a home to an animal in need, vegans can ensure that these animals live a life free from suffering in shelters or on the streets. While feeding them a vegan diet remains contentious, a balanced vegan diet for a dog might be possible with the right care and supervision. Additionally, some vegans choose to adopt herbivorous rescued animals, such as domestic rabbits.

A Focus on Stewardship

Ultimately, the decision to adopt and how to care for an animal as a vegan is a deeply personal one, requiring careful consideration of both ethical principles and the well-being of the animals involved. From a vegan perspective, prioritizing the welfare and autonomy of animal companions means a shift towards stewardship rather than ownership.

As such, many vegans who share their homes with animals regard themselves as guardians or caregivers, discarding all language associated with ownership.