Irresponsible pet owners

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
Doesn't it make you mad when you see or hear irresponsible pet owners?  Recently, I started following someone on Instagram because they were giving cat tips (for example: don't use human toothpaste with cats, etc).  Yesterday I saw the account user post a picture of a new diet she was trying out with her cat, brown rice, raw meat, fruits, and veggies.  Am I being really judgmental here?  I mean, it's one thing to be unaware and ignorant and it's another thing to advertise the "benefits" of feeding those kinds of food.  

I've also seen cat owners feed their cats hot cheetos and chips....

And a friend once told me the reason why they had two dogs was because they were breeding it to make fast cash.  

I also have another friend who proudly proclaims herself a great cat lover but wholeheartedly defends the merit of declawing to save furniture. :[

I know that there are a lot of issues out there like racism, poverty, hunger, etc, but I guess I'm just tired of being a silent bystander on this point.  

Anyways, sorry for ranting and please feel free to move this thread if it's in the wrong place.  
 

nebula

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
1,638
Purraise
107
Location
At my computer
 
Doesn't it make you mad when you see or hear irresponsible pet owners?  Recently, I started following someone on Instagram because they were giving cat tips (for example: don't use human toothpaste with cats, etc).  Yesterday I saw the account user post a picture of a new diet she was trying out with her cat, brown rice, raw meat, fruits, and veggies.  Am I being really judgmental here?  I mean, it's one thing to be unaware and ignorant and it's another thing to advertise the "benefits" of feeding those kinds of food.  

I've also seen cat owners feed their cats hot cheetos and chips....

And a friend once told me the reason why they had two dogs was because they were breeding it to make fast cash.  

I also have another friend who proudly proclaims herself a great cat lover but wholeheartedly defends the merit of declawing to save furniture. :[

I know that there are a lot of issues out there like racism, poverty, hunger, etc, but I guess I'm just tired of being a silent bystander on this point.  

Anyways, sorry for ranting and please feel free to move this thread if it's in the wrong place.  
First of all, raw meat is NOT bad for your cat. In fact, there is lots of evidence that raw is a great diet.

As far as the other stuff, yes. I do not care for irresponsible pet owners... And declawing is a hot button issue. It should be illegal, (In my opinion) worldwide.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
I thought the objection to the raw diet wasn't the meat, but the rice, fruits and veggies that went with it[emoji]128533[/emoji]
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,839
Purraise
13,146
Location
Columbus OH
If she dropped the fruit and veggies and possibly the rice it would be okay but still not complete.  Kitties need a percentage of organ meat, a calcium source either through ground raw bone or a supplement,  There are also some trace things that need to be added,  If all she is feeding is what is listed she is setting kitty up for issues at some point from nutrient deficiencies.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
Hi, I know that raw meat is good for cats. I actually feed freeze dried and frozen. I meant that this girl was giving her cat random chunks of raw meat along with fruits, veggies, and rice and considered it to be nutritionally complete. Raw complete diets are good, raw treats are good, but incomplete raw diets are not.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
First of all, raw meat is NOT bad for your cat. In fact, there is lots of evidence that raw is a great diet.

As far as the other stuff, yes. I do not care for irresponsible pet owners... And declawing is a hot button issue. It should be illegal, (In my opinion) worldwide.
Hi, I know that raw meat is good for cats. I actually feed freeze dried and frozen. I meant that this girl was giving her cat random chunks of raw meat along with fruits, veggies, and rice and considered it to be nutritionally complete. Raw complete diets are good, raw treats are good, but incomplete raw diets are not.

Edit: I can see how I worded it weird though in the original post.
 
Last edited:

mingking

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
496
Purraise
110
I would leave a comment on Instagram with links to some good cat nutrition sites. And hopefully they'll read it and educate themselves.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
I would leave a comment on Instagram with links to some good cat nutrition sites. And hopefully they'll read it and educate themselves.
I've done this (and seen people do this) before and it just ends up being an argument. People aren't open to listen. So I just sit here and shake my head I guess. And vent on TCS.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
My mother always says no one is perfect we all have our flaws that's what makes us human.
True, but that's not an excuse to not educate/ prepare yourself when something is relying on you to be healthy. I don't feel like their intentions are "Oops, I made a mistake." It's more like "It doesn't really matter because they're just animals."
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
No matter what animal species you care for, my experience is that you'll run in to lots of people who think they're experts but don't have a clue. I so wish species appropriate feeding and care/training was the norm instead of the exception. Sometimes you just have to turn the other way, no matter how hard it is :sigh: (I have to say that some of the biggest and most upsetting offenders of this type I've come across are from the horse world...just don't even ask...)
 

mingking

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
496
Purraise
110
I've done this (and seen people do this) before and it just ends up being an argument. People aren't open to listen. So I just sit here and shake my head I guess. And vent on TCS.
Darn. If only it were as simple as posting a link, am I right?

I was listening to a podcast, fairly popular, and they were talking about the chances of people changing their minds. The most effective way they found was to have someone who is directly affected by the opinion that is being discussed listen and connect with the person who has the opposite opinion. So they make their own connections and epiphanies and relate those to the very live and very real person in front them.

With that logic, showing irresponsible pet owners the terrible effects of poor pet parenthood should work... But it doesn't always. And that's sad and horrible. Even confronted with the reality, people still don't see it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
I posted this in the recent vegan cat thread.

http://www.benevo.com/

I knew that some people were trying to make their cats vegetarians/vegans but I didn't know there was a whole commercial market behind it. Ugh.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

ruaryx

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
517
Purraise
145
Darn. If only it were as simple as posting a link, am I right?

I was listening to a podcast, fairly popular, and they were talking about the chances of people changing their minds. The most effective way they found was to have someone who is directly affected by the opinion that is being discussed listen and connect with the person who has the opposite opinion. So they make their own connections and epiphanies and relate those to the very live and very real person in front them.

With that logic, showing irresponsible pet owners the terrible effects of poor pet parenthood should work... But it doesn't always. And that's sad and horrible. Even confronted with the reality, people still don't see it.
There's also the stigma of caring "too much" for animals when you try to give advice and information. You're perceived as being a crazy cat lady or not having anyone or anything else to care about.
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,839
Purraise
13,146
Location
Columbus OH
Yea there is an organized effort behind feeding kitties vegetarian.  I have read a little of their stuff and it's the usual condescending know it all rhetoric without having a clue.  Even Paul McCartney's late wife who was very much into animal rights and being vegetarian gave up on her kitties.   They lived in the country with lots of animals and she was very disappointed about her kitties eating meat but she realized that they couldn't be switched to a vegetarian diet.  Some people are so clouded by their opinions and beliefs that they take a 'don't let the facts get in the way' attitude.
 

purrsnwhiskers

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
17
Purraise
3
Location
Venezia
Here's my 2 cents on the vegetarian/vegan cats thing, for whatever it's worth:

 * Vegetarians - I understand, you don't eat animals, and you don't want kitty to either. The difference is, kitty is a carnivore, who needs nutrients only found in meat. Unlike you, kitty won't get these nutrients from supplementation, so it's really not good for him. Also, if you're "just" a vegetarian (not strict or vegan), you probably eat eggs and/or dairy, and some animal derivatives. There's already some  animal products in your home, so why wouldn't you give meat-containing kibble to your carnivorous pet? 

 * Vegans - Firstly, good for you on the dedication. It's amazing to believe in something that much. However, if you believe in not contributing to the suffering of animals so much, that you aren't willing to give an animal its natural diet (regardless of if they can  survive on a vegan diet, they are meant  to eat meat!), maybe consider adopting a vegetarian animal. Large breed bunnies make wonderful, conflict free companions. If your heart is set on a purring ball of love, give it a proper, natural diet. 

As for my biggest irresponsible pet ownership peeve ... Pets and babies/kids. I hate  with a passion when parents don't teach their children to respect the animals in the home. Particularly, it really tweaks me to see the toddler tugging on the cat's tail, or bouncing on the dog's side, and then when he gets scratched or bitten, the animal is the one to be punished! No, don't declaw Fluffy, teach the little one that that's what happens when you hurt or frighten an animal. 

Rant over! :)
 

mingking

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
496
Purraise
110
There's also the stigma of caring "too much" for animals when you try to give advice and information. You're perceived as being a crazy cat lady or not having anyone or anything else to care about.
Ugh. Every time I hear someone say, "He's just a cat!" makes me want to hit them on the head and scream. I also dislike the crazy cat lady stigma. After adopting my cat, many of my friends have been calling me that and saying I'm going to have a colony of cats soon. Not that that is a bad thing but it's just making me aware about what a bad rep cat owners have sometimes.

The vegetarian and vegan diet fad for cats scares me and horrifies me. Do those companies test their foods? Where do they get their info from? Do all of those testing cats suffer and die...?
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
I sometimes think people should have to pass a test about the right way to care for and treat an animal before they're allowed to have one. Sadly, given some of what I've seen, that still might not make a difference. At least nutrition and feeding should be compulsory knowledge. Far too 'nanny state' I know, but there are thousands, if not millions, of animals that would be grateful for it.
 
Top