Cross Breeds

Does anyone believe cows and pigs are less intelligent than dogs/cats?

Scientific studies have proven that pigs are more intelligent than dogs, and cows have the closest getstational process to humans than any other mammal. Why is it so hard to view dogs as dogs, and cats as cats,,,, but no problem to kill and eat cows and pigs? Why are they considered unable to have those emotions, but dogs and cats are routinely given those emotions? (yes, I eat steak and pork chops)

Public Comments

1. Thats exactly why Im a vegatarian.
2. Becuase most of us live everyday with dogs and cats and we never would be able to kill them! But if you live on the farm you wont be that close with a pig or cow cuz u cant exactly PLAY with them!
3. do you need to ask people this question? The reasons for not having a cow or pig as a pet should be obvious. Just think why you dont want one, cows are too big, and dumb, pigs live in mud and smell bad. pig and cow tastes better than dog and cat probably, if they didnt then the chineese would eat more chow chows than cows.
4. Pigs are highly intelligent. Have you read a book called "The Good, Good Pig"? It is the story of a family that raised a pig and what went on, etc. Read it if you get a chance. If it was up to me to kill anything, no one would ever have meat again. But then I put bugs outside instead of killing them so don't ask me. Edited to add: Pigs are actually very clean animals when they have the enviroment to be so.
5. You're right. I actually have a problem with people who think people who eat dogs and cats are evil. I wouldn't, but if it puts food in a starving belly, what's wrong with it? I'm against abusing animals in the name of raising food, but if you enjoy it and it eases your hunger, why not?
6. Having had vast amounts of experience with all of these species, I can say that cows are definitely NOT as smart as dogs or cats. Believe me, I want to go into dairy practice some day. Pigs have been proven to be more intelligent than dogs and cats. That, of course, does not mean that pigs raised in a confined situation and don't know any better are very emotional about it. Dogs and cats sort of have a natural draw toward humans. For some reason pigs and cows very much do not. Beef cows for the most part hate people if they rarely have contact with them. Dairy cows are much better about people because they see them every day, but they still are not fully trusting. Pigs can either be curious about humans or absolutely scared out of their wits. I have no problem separating them, mostly because I see how each are raised. As people eat dogs in some countries, I certainly don't hold any grudge against them. Those dogs aren't raised in a setting with humans, and aren't pets. I definitely don't think these animals are unable to have these emotions, I just see that most do not express them. Just my opinion on the matter. *Just thought I would add this. I have also worked in the meat processing plant here on my campus. I have seen how farm animals are slaughtered, and it is not a painful thing. In fact, there are some major laws out there to ensure it. Slaughter is overseen by a USDA veterinarian, and if they see a problem, they will shut that facility down. There are rules about animal vocalization, proper stunning procedure, etc. Knowing our biological makeup and nutritional needs, I just can't logically become a vegetarian. That, and well, I like my steak.
7. i eat meat too. i don't know about cows, but pigs are very intelligent animals. they are as smart as dogs if not smarter.
8. this will sound sick but many people do eat dog meat: https://community.hsus.org/campaign/stop_dog_meat_trade watch the video [link featured in the middle of the page as a photo of a dog in a cage], it is very graphic yet informative Being raised around more goats, chickens, and rabbits than dogs I have always believed they were intelligent creatures. Of course this may be because my father owned a rescue and rehabilitation farm for abused animals (mainly livestock), and he raised me to understand as well as respect the validity in all living creatures People think I'm crazy but I feel all life, every living breathing creature, has birth rights which include a happy and healthy life I am a vegetarian simply because I cannot look at a piece of meat without wondering how it died; HOWEVER I respect and understand the purpose of eating meat....I just wish that the animals who provide us with food were respected enough to have lived happy and humane lives while they lived as well as too have been killed in a less painful manner (If that makes any sense to you)
9. The dog and cat crowd is going to hate my answer. I believe we eat cows and pigs because they have an abundance of palatable muscle and they are not people, like dogs and cats.
10. I have had lots of experience with cows (breeding/showing) and they are actually quite smart. They learn to recognize people and some will even untie knots. They also know where every hole in the fences are. our cows definetly do NOT hate people, we pet them in the pasture and they are our pets. To us they are like horses are to some people. I have to add that we do eat some of our cows, but these are not our pets.
11. I know that pigs are at least as smart a dogs and probably smarter. When I was a kid I had a pig - I was suppose to raise her for 4-H and show her at the state fair. Anyhow, I trained her like a dog and she learned all the tricks faster than a dog would - like rollover, play dead, sit, heel, fetch. She was great. I kept her as a pet even though she got huge - we lived on an acreage so we had plenty of room. She lived to be about 12 and died of old age.
12. A pig might be smart, but I guarantee you he can't do what my breed can with herding sheep. Hands down, my dog wins. My dog can run faster, has proper eye, and just knows how to do it naturally. No pig or cow is ever going to do that :) To answer your last question, cows and pigs are not kept as pets nearly as much as cats and dogs. When you have an animal that lives in your home with you, you bond with it. Not so much the case with the cow and pig in the barn.
13. Mabey because we bond with them more and in India they eat dogs but think its wrong to eat cows mabey its just cultural
14. One study by a midwestern university about ten years ago found that dogs, cats and pigs have about the same intelligence. I don't remember what school did the study but I believe its accuracy. I don't think a pigs could pull a sled like my alaskan huskies. As for which animals we eat, Here in north america most of the animals we keep as pets are carnivores and most of the animals we eat are herbivores.