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Dog/Cat meat: Fodder or food?

Paradox74

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http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/09/china.animals/index.html?eref=ft

"Dog meat is good for your health and metabolism," explains Li, the hostess who declined to give her first name. "In the summer it helps you sweat."

I smell woo (quackery) in the kitchen.


Aside from any political/personal issues, does the claim have any merrit?

Also, is it economically sensible to raise cats/dogs for their meat? Posts and comments are appreciated.
 
omg, no way am I eating dog meat,
apart from the fact that its not fit for human consumption, smells bad and tastes horrible
I always cut myself getting the tin open
:p
 
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Paradox74 said:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/09/china.animals/index.html?eref=ft

"Dog meat is good for your health and metabolism," explains Li, the hostess who declined to give her first name. "In the summer it helps you sweat."

I smell woo (quackery) in the kitchen.


Aside from any political/personal issues, does the claim have any merrit?
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Considering the source is merely a restaurant owner, probably not.
Considering also she is probably repeating traditional views first described in the 16th century, probably not.

ETA: The practice actully goes back to at least 300BCE in China according to Wiki and the history of the practice is not restricted to Asian countries, nor just to antiquity.
Also, is it economically sensible to raise cats/dogs for their meat?
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It's probably quite lucrative, and if not regulated, you could probably "farm" them in a very small area (eg crammed into cages) and feed them on the cheapest of fodder. It seems that the animals are sold for food when they are young, so returns on your investment would be fairly immediate. So probably more "economical" than cattle, or even poultry.
 
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EHocking said:
.It's probably quite lucrative, and if not regulated, you could probably "farm" them in a very small area (eg crammed into cages) and feed them on the cheapest of fodder. It seems that the animals are sold for food when they are young, so returns on your investment would be fairly immediate. So probably more "economical" than cattle, or even poultry.
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I'd doubt it.

Since cats are true carnivores, every pound of meat you raise would require feeding it many pounds of meat. cows and chickens get fed subsidized corn, there's nothing you can toss to cats and dogs that'll fatten them up as cheaply.

Cats and dogs also have a lower ration of edible meat to bone, fur and organs, just a function of scale.

The only economical advantages would come from flouting legal standards, which could just as easily be done with other livestock, or if the price/pound was significantly higher as a luxury product, which may or may not be the case.
 
Cavemonster said:
I'd doubt it.

Since cats are true carnivores, every pound of meat you raise would require feeding it many pounds of meat. cows and chickens get fed subsidized corn, there's nothing you can toss to cats and dogs that'll fatten them up as cheaply.
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We're not talking about regular farming practices though, it's just as feasible that the source of meat are rats and mice, which may be a plentiful and certainly a free source of fodder. Scouring the countryside for other animals, such as reptiles, amphibians or even insect, may suffice.
Cats and dogs also have a lower ration of edible meat to bone, fur and organs, just a function of scale.

The only economical advantages would come from flouting legal standards, which could just as easily be done with other livestock, or if the price/pound was significantly higher as a luxury product, which may or may not be the case.
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The last is my conjecture as well.

The fact is that the market for the meat is flourishing, so it must be economically viable for someone.
 
What if you "farmed" cats somewhere that has a steady supply of rodents anyway? Grain production/storage? Free cat food=cheap cat meat?

This reminds me of my grandfather's possibly ;) true story about selling skinned cats as "fresh rabbit" to German soldiers during WW2.

"Nix mehr pus" :D
 
Ririon said:
What if you "farmed" cats somewhere that has a steady supply of rodents anyway? Grain production/storage? Free cat food=cheap cat meat?

This reminds me of my grandfather's possibly ;) true story about selling skinned cats as "fresh rabbit" to German soldiers during WW2.

"Nix mehr pus" :D
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"
Wiki - Germany.
Dog meat has been eaten in every major German crisis at least since the time of Frederick the Great, and is commonly referred to as "blockade mutton."[37] In the early 20th century, consumption of dog meat in Germany was common.[38] In 1937, trichina inspection was introduced for pigs, dogs, boars, foxes, badgers, and other carnivores.[39] Dog meat has been prohibited in Germany since 1986.[40]"
 


I'll pass :X

ETA: The Summary says that dog tastes like pork. I'll take their word for it. still doesn't look appetizing to me.
 
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Ririon said:
You didn't even use the best picture from that wiki site...

Check out the list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo_food_and_drink

You are probably eating horrible disgusting taboo things! :p

I know I am. I knew many are squeamish about eating whale and horse meat. But reindeer? Nice to know. :blush:
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Nothing wrong with horse meat, or indeed mortadella di asino. I tried to avoid eating whale and Puffin meat in Iceland, but on a harbour cruise they were served up. As it was paid for in the boat ticket, I et it rather than let it go to waste. Whale is nothing to shout about, but I'm chagrined to say that the Puffin was delightful. Reindeer and Elk eaten hits the spot when you're visiting a Laplander in his kota...
 
EHocking said:
Nothing wrong with horse meat, or indeed mortadella di asino. I tried to avoid eating whale and Puffin meat in Iceland, but on a harbour cruise they were served up. As it was paid for in the boat ticket, I et it rather than let it go to waste. Whale is nothing to shout about, but I'm chagrined to say that the Puffin was delightful. Reindeer and Elk eaten hits the spot when you're visiting a Laplander in his kota...
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Whale meat (if not on your taboo list) is an aquired taste. Since most people on this forum have not tried it: I usually describe it as beef with a hint of herring. If improperly stored or overcooked, it is no longer just a hint.

But puffin is not even on the long wiki food taboo list. I would avoid it since puffins are endangered around here, but I don't know what the situation is on Iceland.
 
Ririon said:
Whale meat (if not on your taboo list) is an aquired taste. Since most people on this forum have not tried it: I usually describe it as beef with a hint of herring. If improperly stored or overcooked, it is no longer just a hint.
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Perhaps I got a dodgy bit, the texture was bordering on jelly-like. A bit like poorly defrosted tuna (Sushi is another I am personally banning)
But puffin is not even on the long wiki food taboo list. I would avoid it since puffins are endangered around here, but I don't know what the situation is on Iceland.
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Fairly plentiful it seems.
My preference to avoid both was based on my view that just because it's traditional, doesn't mean it is justified. That said, I'll put just about anything in my mouth. oh, er, in the way of food that is....
 
If it tastes good and i can be somewhat sure it was killed humanely, i am eating it. If either of those is not present though, well then the story changes.
 
Have to point out some wikipedia bs though.

"In Canada, horse meat is legal, but there is only really a market—and that a small one—in the French-speaking province of Quebec, where the taboo is not so strong, and in a few (mostly French) restaurants elsewhere."

I myself was adopted by a dutch family, and the city i live in is highly dutch. Now i am not saying they are selling a mr ed burger at mcdonalds, but there are several specialty stores that sell horse meat, and it is fairly common especially amongst older dutch people. But even people my age ( 25) who come from a dutch family eat it fairly frequently. To be honest i didn't even know the french liked it.
 
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