The KInd Life Community Forum

Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!

Are Seashells Vegan?

7 Comments
User Avatar
Ragdolly said #1 May 2, 2011 at 1:08am

Hi,


I found this homemade water fountain made especially for cats that I want to get them at some point. Anyway, inside the fountain they put real seashells in it. It says 'Comes with natural seashells'.


Um, does that matter? I am sure I can tell them to leave those out.


Also, my mom in law sent me a bunch of seashells in the mail from her vacation. I put them in my curio.



User Avatar
Dani A said #2 May 2, 2011 at 6:20am

Animals shed their shells after they have grown out of them. If they have washed upon the shorelines naturally, and an animal wasn't stripped from it's home, then I would think they are vegan...unless I'm mistaken on how animals live in them....I'm pretty sure though that there really is no use for them once an animal sheds it's shell and inhabits/grows a new one...

User Avatar
Ragdolly said #3 May 2, 2011 at 11:37am

Tx for the quick response. :)


I guess they can include the shells then . Here's the shop, they make all cat water fountains...


http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatFountains

User Avatar
Meri Daugherty said #4 Jul 1, 2011 at 5:28pm

I just saw this because I was googling the same topic. I agree with what was stated above. I don't know that buying from local or commercial vendors would be ethical, though. :/ Also, I would personally avoid starfish, since they are the actual body of the creature, not just the "home" or protective shield. :) Just my thoughts.

User Avatar
Ragdolly said #5 Aug 1, 2011 at 10:31am

TY Meri, I thought of that too.


Say my tomcat's 5th birthday is in 10 days. I already bought him one of these fountains which will be here by his birthday. I'm gonna wrap it. >.<


But I was thinking of baking them some treats. I have a girl cat who likes salmon and my tom likes shrimp.


Would it be unkind or unethical for their vegan mom (me) to be making poached salmon, shrimp, and with yogurt and lemon juice for them?


If so, what else can you suggest? They eat Science Diet indoor formula so they aren't vegans or even vegetarians.

User Avatar
Meri Daugherty said #6 Aug 1, 2011 at 4:10pm

Honestly, I would say go for it and make them what they like. They are cats, they probably need those nutrients as they are carnivores. My dogs are not vegans, nor is my husband, so I make them all meat. It's not my favorite thing, but I'm not going to refuse to cook my hubby dinner! :)

User Avatar
Melissa Baines said #7 Sep 15, 2011 at 9:36pm

I think the shells that wash up can become homes for other sea creatures until they also outgrow that same shell. But I don't know whether this disqualifies them as vegan. (I hope not, since I just brought some home from a trip to Cambria!)

Join the Discussion!

Login or create an account on The Kind Life today and you'll be able to leave comments, share photos and videos with friends, and participate in community events!