Cat meat

Cat meat is meat prepared from domestic cats for human consumption. While it is not a common food globally, it appears in various cultural, historical, and survival contexts. In some regions, it is a traditional part of a diet. In others, it has been consumed during periods of extreme hardship, such as wartime, famine, or poverty. Some people also consume it because of perceived health benefits or specific cultural traditions.

The preparation and use of cat meat vary significantly by location and purpose. In South Korea, the meat was historically brewed into a tonic known as goyangi soju. This is an alcoholic elixir believed to help with neuralgia and arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 cats are killed annually to produce this soju. In Vietnam, the meat is often listed on menus using the euphemism "tiểu hổ," which translates to "little tiger" or "baby tiger." Some people in Northern Vietnam also believe that cat galls possess aphrodisiacal properties.

Different regions utilize the meat in distinct culinary ways. In the Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of China, some older people eat it to warm the body during winter. A traditional dish in Guangdong is called "dragon, tiger, phoenix," which combines snake, cat, and chicken to fortify the body. In Peru, cat meat is used in fricassee and stews. These dishes are most common among Afro-Peruvians in Chincha Alta and in the Andean town of Huari. In Australia, near Alice Springs, indigenous groups and others may roast feral cats over open fires or make stews.

Historical records show that humans have consumed cats for many centuries. Prehistoric human feces have contained bones from wild cats in Africa. In antiquity, accounts suggest cats were eaten in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. During the 17th century, cats were consumed in Spain, and by the 18th century, they were used in French meat production. During the World Wars, cat meat was widely used as famine food. In Central Europe, cats earned the nickname "roof rabbits" during these difficult times. In Italy, some historical accounts claim cats were raised at home for consumption, similar to how people raise rabbits.

The significance of cat meat consumption often relates to specific social or economic circumstances. In South Korea, the trade primarily involves feral and stray cats because they are not farmed. In Vietnam, a market research study by Four Paws found that roughly 8% of Hanoi residents have consumed cat meat. In India, the Irula people use it as a traditional protein, while the Narikuravar community in Chennai has been reported to consume it. During economic crises, such as in 1996 in Argentina, reports surfaced of people in shanty towns using cat meat to feed hungry children.

Legal frameworks regarding cat meat are complex and vary by nation. Taiwan was the first Asian country to ban the consumption of cat and dog meat. This began with a ban on sales in 2001 and was strengthened in 2017 by the Legislative Yuan. Hong Kong introduced the Dogs and Cats Ordinance in 1950 to prohibit slaughtering these animals for food. In Europe, many countries have strict regulations. Austria prohibits killing cats for food under a 2004 law, and Germany prohibits the production and trade of cat meat through the Animal-Derived Food Sanitation Act.

Modern consumption often triggers debates regarding animal welfare and public health. In 2018, officials in Hanoi urged citizens to stop eating cat meat. They cited concerns about cruel slaughter methods and the spread of diseases like rabies and leptospirosis. There was also a desire to protect the city's image as a modern capital. In China, animal protection groups have organized protests against the consumption of cats. A 2015 survey by Animals Asia found that over 70-80% of Chinese respondents felt it was unacceptable to eat animals that had been abused or tortured during slaughter.