Sophie Bennett
In the context of animal welfare, there are several reasons why one might choose not to eat chicken. Chickens are often subject to inhumane treatment in factory farms, where they are packed into sheds, fed large amounts of antibiotics and drugs, and suffer from broken wings and legs during transportation. In addition, slaughterhouse workers are at a high risk of injury and repetitive stress injuries. From an environmental perspective, the high concentration of antibiotics and additives in chicken feces contributes to water pollution, leading to negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. These concerns have led some individuals to explore alternatives to chicken, such as meat-free and plant-based options, to align their dietary choices with their values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Topic | Cats |
| Subtopic | Chicken |
| Website | makeameme.org |
| Meme Name | High Hopes |
| Caption | I had high high hopes for the kitchen. Do not understand why I cannot eat the chicken |
| Suggested Reason | The cat in the meme may have avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) |
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What You'll Learn
Cats on medication
If your cat has been prescribed medication, it's important to understand the correct way to administer it to ensure your cat gets the full benefit of the treatment. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to keep in mind when your cat is on medication.
Preparing the Medication
Before giving medication to your cat, it's crucial to read and understand the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Some medications need to be prepared or mixed with food, while others should be given on an empty stomach. Always follow the specific instructions for the particular medication.
Giving Pills or Capsules
Pills or capsules can be the most challenging type of medication to give to cats. Here are some techniques to try:
- Hide the medication in a treat: Wrap the pill in a small piece of meat or a treat designed to hide pills. You can also use a small amount of peanut butter or another sticky treat to conceal the pill.
- Use a pill gun or pill popper: These devices allow you to place the pill at the back of your cat's mouth and administer it quickly.
- Crush and mix with food: If your veterinarian approves, you can crush the pill and mix it with a small amount of strongly flavoured food, such as tuna or chicken. Ensure your cat finishes the entire portion to get the full dose.
Administering Liquids
For liquid medications, use a syringe or dropper to administer the prescribed amount directly into your cat's mouth. Tilt your cat's head back slightly and gently squeeze the liquid into the side of their mouth, allowing them to swallow. Be careful not to squirt the liquid into their windpipe, as this can cause choking.
Applying Topical Treatments
Some medications are designed to be applied directly to your cat's skin or ears. Follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian for proper application. For ear medications, gently lift your cat's ear flap and squeeze the prescribed amount of medication into the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear to help distribute the medication. For skin treatments, part your cat's fur and apply the medication as directed.
Monitoring and Side Effects
Pay close attention to your cat's behaviour and overall health while they are on medication. Report any side effects or unusual behaviour to your veterinarian. Also, ensure you give the medication for the full duration prescribed, even if your cat seems to be feeling better, unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian.
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Chicken farming conditions
However, intensive poultry farming, which accounts for 74% of the world's poultry meat and 68% of eggs, has been criticised for its negative impact on animal welfare, workers, and the environment. Industrial farms house thousands of birds in relatively small areas, leading to dangerous conditions. For example, litter soaked with urine and ammonia can irritate the chickens' skin and cause footpad dermatitis, which can lead to deep and painful ulcers. Excessive ammonia levels can also cause eye lesions, lung damage, respiratory problems, and even blindness.
The air in intensive broiler sheds can become highly polluted with ammonia from droppings, requiring more fans to bring in fresh air. Broilers bred for fast growth may develop leg deformities due to their large breast muscles, leading to difficulties in movement and added strain on their hearts and lungs.
Factory farms also create conditions that facilitate the spread of parasites and diseases such as avian influenza, Salmonella, and E. coli. Additionally, intensive poultry farming has a significant environmental footprint due to emissions, waste materials, and the use of pesticides and antibiotics, which can impact human health and the surrounding environment.
Chicken farming is often more profitable for massive corporations than individual farmers, who may be locked into a cycle of debt. Heritage poultry farming, which prioritises higher welfare genetics and conditions, offers a more profitable, environmentally friendly, and animal-friendly alternative, but its products are more expensive and less widely available.
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Chicken slaughterhouse practices
The time that chickens spend in lairage (holding pens) before slaughter can vary from 0.2 to 9.4 hours, with a mean of 4 hours. This time is important in reducing the thermal load of the chickens, and in mitigating some of the mortality risks associated with transport. Studies have shown that increasing the pre-slaughter lairage and fasting period can generate stress-related metabolic disorders in broiler chickens.
In modern poultry processing plants, chickens are processed quickly and painlessly. In the EU and US, animals must be rendered unconscious before slaughter, and incapable of perceiving pain. In the US, the predominant method of stunning is electrical stunning, although a limited number of facilities use controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) systems, which utilise carbon dioxide to render birds insensible.
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Environmental impact of chicken farming
Chicken farming has become a major part of modern agriculture, but its environmental impact is significant. The environmental concerns regarding chicken farming are multifaceted and include issues such as waste management, land use, energy consumption, and pollution.
Waste management is a critical issue in industrial chicken farming. The high concentration of chickens in factories leads to a substantial amount of waste, which can result in the pollution of land, water, and air. This waste includes diseased carcasses, feces, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, parasites, and pathogen cysts. For example, the annual litter from a broiler chicken house of 22,000 birds contains as much phosphorus as the sewage from a community of 6,000 people. The waste also contains high levels of nitrate, which can poison ground and surface waters, leading to the growth of algae that blocks sunlight from reaching underwater grasses, ultimately suffocating fish.
Land use is another significant environmental concern. Chicken farming requires not only space for the chickens to live but also land for growing their feed. According to the FAO, approximately one-third of global arable land is used for growing livestock feed. As the demand for chicken increases, more land is needed for both raising chickens and producing feed crops such as corn and soybeans. This increased land use can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, soil degradation, and a loss of biodiversity, increasing the risk of natural disasters like soil erosion and flooding.
Energy consumption in chicken farming also contributes to environmental issues. Industrial chicken farms require a lot of energy to operate, including powering facilities, running water systems, and providing ventilation, as well as transporting feed and chickens. The use of non-renewable energy sources, such as coal and gas, leads to the production of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.
To mitigate these environmental impacts, sustainable practices can be implemented. This includes adopting regenerative agriculture techniques, utilizing sustainable feed sources, and exploring alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power. Additionally, backyard chicken farming on a small scale can help reduce the environmental footprint by minimizing land use and waste production.
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Preparing chicken for those with ARFID
Preparing chicken for someone with ARFID (avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder) can be challenging, but there are some strategies that may help. Firstly, it's important to remember that people with ARFID are not just "picky eaters", and well-meaning advice such as "they will eat when they're hungry" can be dangerous. Instead, it's crucial to provide food regularly, ideally 5-6 times a day or every 2-3 hours.
When preparing chicken for someone with ARFID, it's essential to consider their sensory preferences. People with ARFID often have sensory sensitivities, and their senses can be easily overwhelmed, leading to negative eating experiences. Keeping meals calm and low-pressure is important. If the person with ARFID prefers crispy foods, an air fryer, toaster oven, or convection oven can help achieve the desired texture. On the other hand, if they prefer softer foods, opt for dishes that meet that sensory profile. Introducing a soft food on a crunchy base, such as cheese on a cracker, can also be a good option.
The way chicken is cooked and its texture can significantly impact its acceptability for people with ARFID. Some people may prefer dry chicken, while others may find moist chicken breast more palatable. Chicken tenders or nuggets can be a good option, as they are less likely to be greasy and are easier to eat without getting hands dirty. Preparing chicken in different ways, such as grilling, baking, or frying, can also help vary the texture and taste, increasing the chances of finding a preparation method that works for the individual with ARFID.
It's also important to remember that "fed is best" when it comes to ARFID. Safe foods are vital, and it's okay to eat what makes one comfortable. Working with a healthcare professional is essential to ensure adequate nutrition and gradual exposure to new foods. Preparing chicken in a simple, familiar way can make it more appealing to someone with ARFID. This may include avoiding complex recipes with multiple ingredients, strong spices, or sauces that may be overwhelming.
Additionally, when introducing new foods or variations, it can be helpful to start with slight alterations to preferred foods. For example, offering breaded chicken tenders instead of plain ones or chicken nuggets with a dipping sauce on the side can provide a sense of familiarity while introducing new textures and flavours gradually.
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