And meat contains pesticides, supplemental growth hormones injected to make cows grow faster, and natural hormones produced by the animal. Vegetarianism may be O.K. for people, but our pets need meat. It is true that the digestive system of dogs and cats is more adept at dealing with meat, chiefly by speeding up the digestion and expulsion process. However, meat consumption is a major factor in the incidence of chronic diseases and reduced life expectancy in carnivorous animals, as it is in humans. Dogs and cats get along just fine on a vegetarian diet.
Vegetables also contain most of the hazardous substances found in meat.
None of the commonly available vegetables, grains, or fruit contain cholesterol, hormones, or antibiotics. The pesticides, which accumulate in animal fatty tissues, can be removed to a large extent from fruits and vegetables before consumption. There has never been a confirmed case of anyone getting sick or dying for lack of meat in their diet. On the other hand, each year, 1.5 million Americans are crippled and killed by heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other chronic killer diseases that have been linked to excessive consumption of meat by every expert panel appointed to study the relationship between diet and health. Most vegetarian dishes require less preparation, cooking, and cleaning up than typical meat dishes.