'Hugh's Chicken Run' A Moral Dilemna for DFWs?

hypno06

This week has given me a whole lot more to think about. I had already committed to more "back to basics" eating, and indeed have been doing this for a number of years, yet I still have to confess to buying the cheaper alternatives at the supermarket on the basis of price and our budget alone.

I cannot afford to throw away the food we already have in the fridge/cupboards/freezer so we will eat this. But new food I buy will be thought about much more, and I will endeavour to find alternatives to suit.

This may not be the idealistic "buy everything organic" that in an ideal world I would like to do - I have a very low budget and 5 people to feed on that budget, but I will commit to making an effort to make some changes.

Working on the "baby steps" that DFW and flylady does, this means that over time, we will be able to incorporate most of these things as a matter of course.

My first "small step" therefore, is to only buy free range eggs, and where possible to buy these from local producers.

My second is to buy organic milk where available.

My third is to generally think about my choices when planning meals and shopping, thinking quality not quantity where at all possible.

Badger_Lady

I never thought about the catfood - as a vegan, I was sitting back on my heels with a seemingly free conscience until that came up!

I've seen the veggie catfood in that link before, but was dubious - I've always been told "you can't deprive a cat of meat", "they're only designed to eat meat and there are no substitutes, or, worst, "it's cruel to try and make a cat vegetarian".

Then again, given the extremely low quantity and quality of meat in their tinned food, is it that different? And that veggie food sells itself as being appropriate for cats - would I be wrong to try my Tom out on it?

Opinions welcome, because I'm reluctant to go there without encouragement!

Shineyhappy

I have seen veggie dog food, but no idea about cats.

Hmmm have a look at:

http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/vegetarian_cat_food.html

This is one thing to worry about as my hamster is a veggie like me, as long as he gets his shreddies and banana chips he is happy!

sleepymy

Badger lady, my cats aren't vegan. They're 14 so I don't want to change their diet too much on them. Apparently the taurine in conventional pet food is added at the end because the process destroys it all anyhow so it's supposed to be no different than adding the taurine to the veggie pets food. Lots of animals like vegetarian food, my cats go mad for any fake meats we have in the house lol.

There is an organic pet food company on the mainland but unfortunately they don't deliver to here, until they do I'm having to make do with Arden Grange as they don't commission animal testing on their foods. I really don't like that the chicken in my cats food has come from factory farming

Badger_Lady

Shineyhappy wrote: »

I have seen veggie dog food, but no idea about cats.

Hmmm have a look at:

http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/vegetarian_cat_food.html

This is one thing to worry about as my hamster is a veggie like me, as long as he gets his shreddies and banana chips he is happy!

Hi - yes, sorry, that's what I was looking about it. They've got some information here: http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/vegetarian_cat_information.html

But I'm really after some unbiased opinion - any eperience of cats being unable to digest these supplements properly, or concerns about excluding a very natural part of their diet?

Actually, I might start this as a new thread on Pets!

In_Search_Of_Me

I think burns cats food (which I use) are animal friendly IYKWIM & they'll send you a free sample to see if cats will eat it - and dogs!

Shineyhappy

From the veggie society:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/catfood.html

"

Although it is possible to keep dogs on a vegetarian diet satisfactorily, cats are more specialised and you are advised to consider carefully before changing your cat to a vegetarian diet. Cats are natural carnivores and are unlikely to willingly forego meat from their diet. Cats fed on vegetarian diets are likely to look elsewhere for their preferred meat diet, and many cats will hunt and kill small rodents and birds"

Hmmm really dont know on this one! I am guessing feeding cats free range meat would be quite expensive? What about asking friends/relatives who are fussy for bits of meat they would throw away?

Badger_Lady

Shineyhappy wrote: »

Hmmm really dont know on this one! I am guessing feeding cats free range meat would be quite expensive? What about asking friends/relatives who are fussy for bits of meat they would throw away?

Hmmm... unfortunately, I wouldn't have a clue what to do with any meat I bought (been veggie since I was 4!) and my friends and relatives live 150-800 miles away, but I like your thinking!

Think I'll go for the trial and just see how Tufter reacts... he's normally very flexible, he goes for anything that lands in his cat bowl (including a huge chunk of garlic bread that fell out of the oven one day!).

New thread on the subject: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=678645

ZTD

Badger_Lady wrote: »

Hi - yes, sorry, that's what I was looking about it. They've got some information here: http://www.veggiepets.com/acatalog/vegetarian_cat_information.html

But I'm really after some unbiased opinion - any eperience of cats being unable to digest these supplements properly, or concerns about excluding a very natural part of their diet?

Actually, I might start this as a new thread on Pets!

This linky might help. The upshot of it is, that cats are obligate carnivores, they need some nutrients not part of plant material - the most famous being taurine. They also have problems eating plant material - so even eating dry cat food, they end up with diabetes.

Also linky2...

dizzy_lizzie

Shineyhappy wrote: »

I make my own cakes normally, its just things like mayo, coleslaw and god knows what else!
Bean burgers I bet have a crispy bread crumb coating and Birdeseye veggie fingers, Quorn, bread???? Biscuits?? I am sorry its just you dont always think about these things. It took me ages to work out all the ok veggie foods and now it wil be harder working out the eggs and possibly milk as non organic milk is pretty unethical.

Shineyhappy this link might help as regards the eggs if you're wanting food without eggs in.(?) I've used it a few times when I wanted to double check on something. Click on the flower in the top right hand corner.
Luvz Dizzy x
http://realfood.redblackandgreen.net/isitvegan/ethicalpolicy.html