Scientists tally the environmental impact of feeding meat to our cats and dogs. Its huge

[lordsummerisle]

You’ve heard about the carbon footprint, but what about the carbon paw-print? According to a new study, U.S. cats’ and dogs’ eating patterns have as big an effect as driving 13.6 million cars for a year.
The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, reveals how our furry, four-legged companions’ consumption of meat and other animal products adds a sizable, and largely overlooked, climate cost.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cats-dogs-environment-20170802-story.html

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Keep in mind that cats are what's called

obligate carnivores. Meaning they must eat meat and just about only meat to survive. Every so often some well meaning vegetarian or vegan will put their cats on a non-meat diet with very bad consequences.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. +1000s

n/t

[not fooled]

2. Well,

I have cats, but spay and neuter, never breed, and acquire all of them as rescues. Also do Trap-Neuter-Release with any feral in the vicinity.

The people who should be paying the most attention to this article are those who let their pets reproduce, and breeders. Not trying to start a war here, but anyone who brings more companion animals into the world--when millions are euthanized in the U.S. each year--should be thinking about the consequences.

Also, most of the "meat" companion animals consume probably comes from the waste/other parts that aren't necessarily fed to humans, except in processed "meats" of course.

[Liberty Belle]

3. Some feed table scraps (bits of leftover meats) that would otherwise have beeen discarded

to their pets, too.

[not fooled]

7. Yes

Good point.

And the ferals around here dine on ground squirrels and other rodents. In addition to the occasional bird.

[CountAllVotes]

6. So true

I have three cats, all are from the local KILL shelter.

The last one I got from them was scheduled to be euthanized the next day as she was sick sick sick. Along came I the day before and I adopted her. I had to take her to a # of vets, all telling me that something was very wrong ranging from being chronically ill for life to eye herpes.

Today, she is now 13 mos. old and thriving. I don't take her to any more of these loser vets grabbing for money money money is the vibe.

I think it is shameful to breed dogs/cats knowing how many need homes! When I adopted the cat I mention above, she was SO THRILLED! She ran around the house for days on end after I got her even though she was sick. She was so happy she found a real home! Her previous home was that kill shelter for 5 long mos.

She is a very grateful cat and she'll eat just about anything you give her. I am happy with the way the adoption has worked out (was a bit worried as the other two are huge tomcats and are brothers). They have learned to love her too!! It has been a win win all the way around.

[DK504]

5. What is the carbon foot print for the land hungry

plant life? Few, if any, major produce growers have moved to hydroponics. If we want to start reducing a carbon foot print the growers that take over 30% of the country using up massive amount of water that are drying up.

[MLAA]

8. I'm just sayin'

Cats need to eat meat to be healthy...people do not. 🙂😉🐱