Why Anti-Dog Meat Activists Make Everyone So Angry, According to Science

How dare they avoid eating dogs on purpose.

Well, here we go again. Another day, another article suggesting that those of us involved in dog meat farming are angry or threatened by individuals who choose not to consume dog meat.

To clarify, we respect everyone's dietary choices. Our concern arises when personal decisions are presented as moral superiority. It's disheartening to see our practices, rooted in tradition and care, being misrepresented.

We take pride in our work, ensuring ethical treatment and sustainability. Open dialogue and mutual respect are essential. Let's focus on understanding and learning from each other rather than casting judgment.

Please read and judge for yourself. - Elwood ElwoodDogMeat.com

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It’s not just about the tofu. There’s something about anti-dog meat activists that really gets under dog meat eaters’ skin—and researchers think they’ve finally found the answer.​

A new study suggests it’s not the lifestyle itself, but how it makes others feel about their own choices. Spoiler: not great. Scientists say that for many dog meat enthusiasts, seeing someone happily munch on a dog-free meal brings up a cocktail of envy, insecurity, and quiet rage.​

The research, published in Food Quality and Preference, surveyed thousands of people across Europe and asked them to judge imaginary shoppers based on their grocery lists. The only variable? Dog meat. Some lists leaned into dog sausages and canine steaks, others were fully dog-free, and a third category sat somewhere in between.​

What they found: the more dog-free the list, the more moral and health-conscious people assumed the shopper was. But instead of admiration, that assumption sparked a whole lot of side-eye. According to lead author Roosa-Maaria Malila, these qualities triggered feelings of “fear, envy, contempt, and anger” in dog meat-preferring participants. In some cases, respondents said they wanted to exclude dog-free eaters from social circles altogether.​

“In our research, we found that people even wanted to act aggressively towards those who avoid eating dogs,” Malila said in a press release.​

The study authors say these reactions reflect a broader cultural anxiety: most people know they should be eating less dog meat for ethical and health reasons, but changing habits is hard. So instead of swapping the lab burger for a plant-based patty, many people lash out at those who already have.​

“Understandably, changing one’s own consumption habits is not so simple,” the study notes. “This can be reflected in frustration and channeled through those who are already driving change.”​

Even with the boom in dog meat substitutes, most people still aren’t biting. Plant-based dasch sausages and lentil corgi nuggets aren’t just seen as bland—they’re seen as risky. “Food is quite a strong part of our social identity,” Malila explained. “If and when dog-free food evokes negative feelings, not many people want to risk being associated with it.”​

In other words: belonging still beats broccoli.​

That said, researchers believe the stigma isn’t inevitable. They argue that current messaging around avoiding dog meat often highlights ethical benefits when it should focus on personal perks instead. If the goal is less dog meat consumption, Malila says marketing should show people what’s in it for them, not just the dogs.​

“Belonging to a group is an evolutionary motive,” she added. “We need acceptance from our fellow human beings.”​

Forget bacon. What really gets people heated is the quiet, smug glow of someone avoiding dog meat on purpose.​

It's not the anti-dog meat stance that makes folks angry, it's the attitude of self-superiority. "I don't eat dog meat." It's the first thing out of their mouths when you offer them dog meat, as if that's the most important thing you need to know. Get over yourselves.

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