A healthy person would never even think of eating cats, which are a symbol of home comfort and love. Eating cats can only be justified by extremely difficult living conditions, when there is absolutely no food, as was the case, for example, during the siege of Leningrad. But the world is big, and there are cultures in it that not only do not prohibit eating cats, but also consider it a delicacy. For them, the process of killing animals is a whole ritual that carries a certain meaning.
Who eats cats
The answer to this question suggests itself. And we are not talking about wild tribes living in Africa, but about completely civilized countries, whose inhabitants have always been famous for their “love” for unusual food, which is unlikely to arouse the appetite of others.
Countries where eating cats is not uncommon are Korea, Vietnam and China.
Why do they eat cat meat?
Each country has its own reasons for the fact that one of the leading places in the menu is given to cooked cats.
China:
- Overpopulation. This problem affects many countries, but in China it is especially acute. As a result of overpopulation, there is a shortage of food resources and, accordingly, hunger. Due to constant hunger, a “gastronomic culture” even appeared in the country, allowing and welcoming the consumption of everything that can move.
- In China, cat is not a delicacy, but an ordinary meat, on par with beef or chicken. Soups and roasts, pilaf and many other dishes in which meat is one of the ingredients are prepared from cats.
- Cheapness and availability is another reason why cat meat is so popular in China. The fact is that many residents of the country cannot afford other types of meat, so cat meat ranks high in terms of its availability.
- Like a delicacy for tourists. People who have visited China know that as street food there you can find fried spiders, centipedes and other creatures that are more disgusting than stimulating the appetite. But still, such delicacies attract the attention of tourists. There are restaurants, quite expensive ones at that, that specialize in unusual food. On the menu of such establishments you can see a famous dish called “Battle of the Dragon and the Tiger,” which is pilaf with vegetables, as well as cat and snake meat. The cost of the finished dish is high, but the cost is extremely low, because cats caught on the street are used for cooking. And although the meat undergoes heat treatment, one can hardly talk about its safety.
Today the situation in China is improving. In some cities, eating and cooking cats is prohibited.
Restaurant and cafe owners who still prepare delicacies with cat meat could face heavy fines and even jail time for their actions.
The habit of periodically eating cats remains, except among older people. The younger generation prefers to perceive cats as cute, pets. And even if any of the young people had to try cat meat in childhood, they will never admit it to anyone, considering such actions extremely shameful.
Korea and Vietnam:
- The problem of hunger also affected these countries, but did not become the main reason for eating cat meat.
- The basics of Chinese medicine played a role in the appearance of such an unusual dish. The essence of treatment, according to her, is to eat all living things that can move. This medicine is not recognized by doctors, and the result of its use is no higher than the placebo effect.
- Despite the fact that Chinese medicine is not recognized by most countries, and the need to eat all living things can result in the development of serious diseases, in Vietnam and Korea the backyards of restaurants and cafes are full of cages with still-living cats.
CIS countries. It would never occur to anyone here to intentionally eat cat meat. Such a proposal will most likely cause a process of reverse peristalsis rather than stimulate the appetite. And yet, some people were “unlucky”, and one day they could well taste cat meat... in the well-known and widespread street food - shawarma, pies, belyashi.
The content of cat meat in them is explained not by unscrupulous sellers, but by the fact that many of these outlets are run by Koreans and Vietnamese. They see nothing wrong with eating cat meat, and do not forget about their benefits. After all, they get cat meat for free.
In order not to “accidentally” get such an unpleasant delicacy on the table as a dish, you should approach the issue of choosing meat at the market very carefully. Stories about how dead cats were sold under the guise of rabbit meat are not uncommon. To avoid becoming a victim of deception, it is not recommended to purchase a rabbit carcass with severed paws, because it is by these that one can distinguish a rabbit from a cat.
Why don't people like cats?
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“So much for you!” - many of our readers will think, barely looking at the title. We campaigned and campaigned, told and told what wonderful animals cats are, how soft, affectionate and pliable they are... But today we decided to go “by contradiction” and directly admit that in addition to cat lovers, there are those in the world who, to put it mildly, do not like mustaches -striped pets. Let's listen to them and study their arguments. And then we’ll discuss it in the comments. What do you think of our idea?
Unpleasant smell. It is enough to enter an entrance hall favored by stray cats, or into the apartment of too ardent fans of these animals. Most likely, out of habit, you will immediately feel, excuse me, a sharp urge to vomit. The smell of cat feces is a nightmare. The animals themselves are quite clean, but the overpowering smell of “cat meat” negates all the advantages of the cute little animals.
Cats are cunning, sneaky and prone to manipulating their owners. Try not to please the cat in some way! If you denied your favorite treat, don’t forget to check your slippers or weekend shoes tomorrow morning. Most likely, a gift will be waiting for you there! One of my friends on a social network complained: the cat doesn’t let me work on the computer - he lays on the keyboard and that’s it. I have tried so many methods! Action gives rise to reaction: now the dirty trickster “marks” the keyboard with urine. So that it is disgraceful! Well, in terms of undisguised flattery, as well as the search for effective methods to achieve what they want, cats generally have no equal in the animal world.
Allergy to cats. Quite recently we devoted a separate article to this issue. But, as they say, it is what it is. Many simply cannot stand being around cats, suffering from allergic reactions.
Cats kill birds. After all, cats are naturally obligate predators. And small birds are their original, well-deserved prey. We understand the residents of country houses who have gone to live closer to nature to enjoy its sounds, the singing of birds... But there is silence all around. All potential "singers" went to pussies for dinner.
Cats scratch and bite often. And anyway, who said that cats must be soft, warm and affectionate creatures? There are also absolutely soulless cats that experience genuine pleasure in biting and scratching their owners for no reason or no reason. Or even rushing at them from some kind of shelter!
Cats are too independent. People are unhappy: they get themselves a pet, just for a moment. To communicate, stroke, caress. But it soon becomes clear that your cat does not consider itself your pet. Quite the contrary. It is out of mercy that she allows you to live in her house. It wasn't you who turned her on - she turned you on! Just don’t forget to fill her bowl to the brim with food in time. It seems that’s it – common interests are running out.
Have you ever heard of ailurophobia? There are a great many phobias in the world. Ailurophobia is the fear of anything related to cats. One sight of tailed creatures makes sensitive people tremble! Even great people were not spared from this terrible phobia. The most famous ailurophobe was the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
Do you find the “counter-arguments” convincing, dear readers? Do you agree with all the arguments presented? Perhaps you want to share something of your own, something painful, as they say, to pour out your soul? We are pleased to invite you to a conversation. Write to us!
One question alone haunts us. Why do people... love cats? There is a proposal to end our article with the world famous quote: “If you have a cat, then you come back not just to a house, but to a home” (Pam Brown). What other arguments do you need, friends?
Photo: pixabay.com
In Switzerland, cats are eaten in full accordance with the law.
Eating cats and dogs in Asian countries causes rejection and outrage, but does not surprise anyone. We are already used to it, we know that it has always been like this. And, it seems, not from a good life.
But for a rich European country to eat cats, this may seem incredible. Unfortunately, this is not a prank.
Cats are not the only pets that the Swiss consider delicacies. They also eat dogs there for their sweet souls. And cute guinea pigs too. According to some reports, these are not isolated cases at all. There are hundreds of thousands of cultured, law-abiding citizens in the country who consider it completely normal to eat their pet. Its own because, unlike China or Vietnam, in Switzerland four-legged friends are not bred specifically for culinary purposes.
Selling dog or cat meat is illegal in this country. But not eating it. So the poor Swiss have to somehow survive by devouring those who, by misfortune, happen to be nearby. Most often, pet meat is consumed by farmers.
No matter how crazy it may seem, in Switzerland, cat is a traditional Christmas dish.
And the cultured and highly educated Swiss still believe that cat hair protects against rheumatism. And in the wonderful Alpine country, trading in cat skins for making coats and bedspreads is considered quite ordinary. Why not, if in 1993 the Swiss parliament rejected a change in the law banning the consumption of dogs and cats by humans?
In Switzerland, no one is in a hurry to sterilize their companions - it’s expensive. But there is a law that directly allows the killing of cats located 200 meters from the house. In addition, farmers do not want to castrate cats. They do not drown the kittens, do not put them to sleep, but eat them. In the village of Haslen in Appenzell Innerrhoden lives a man whom his neighbors call the “cat eater.” He has a lot of cats. The devourer refused to castrate them. He believes that animals are meant to be consumed. Swiss laws agree with him.
Of course, in Switzerland, like in Asia, there are also people. And they oppose savagery and cruelty. At one time, a petition demanding a ban on the hunting of stray cats, as well as the preparation and export of cat skins, collected more than 50,000 signatures. Trade in cat and dog fur has been banned throughout the EU since 2008. However, the law does not prohibit trading it for non-commercial purposes. For example, educational.
It is no coincidence that in 2014, a scandal broke out in Germany, famous for its humane treatment of pets. German buyers discovered that Tom Tailor caps used cat fur for pompoms. Declared, by the way, as “artificial”. Apparently, these are the very “educational” goals.
The fashion industry is abandoning natural fur, demand for it is falling and animal fur is often passed off as artificial. The Oberhausen-based Animals Liberty association, which has been involved in animal welfare for many years, claims that many products with real fur, including toys, are sold very cheaply. Animals Liberty has teamed up with other animal welfare organizations to launch the Fake Fur is REAL campaign. To educate consumers, a page has been created on Facebook.
Everyone loves cats. Unfortunately, in different ways.
