Dogs, Cats, and Roadkill: What Meat Can You Legally Eat?

For pet owners, life wouldn't be the same without their furry companions. Our dogs and cats (or hamsters, iguanas, or whatever other animal friend you prefer) can provide joy, comfort, and fun. There's a reason why cat and dog videos remain the most popular kinds of online videos. They're cute and loving, and we go out of our way to protect them.

Of course, our attitude toward pets has changed. A century ago, dogs were much more likely to be used for work, whether hunting, shepherding or as a burglar alarm. Cats played a vital role in controlling the rodent population in homes and farms. No one knew what a "fur baby" was. While people have always been partial to dogs, cats, and horses, these animals also filled a role.

All that is to say, our attitude about what owning an animal means can change. So, while most of us shudder at the very idea, what determines what can or cannot be legally eaten? Can you eat dog or cat?

The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018

For most of America's history, the answer was yes, you could. However, several states have outlawed eating dog in recent decades, although not as many as you might think. There was no federal law against eating cat or dog until 2018. However, the 2018 Farm Bill did ban the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption, with a $5,000 fine attached to each violation. An extremely limited exception does exist for some Native American tribes conducting religious ceremonies.

This Act is limited to dogs and cats specifically. Some other popular pets, like rabbits, iguanas, and guinea pigs, can be legally eaten — and are.

That's not to say every other animal is fair game. You cannot hunt or eat endangered species. Other animals that may have been taken off the endangered species list, such as bald eagles, are still unable to be hunted or eaten (you cannot eat eagle eggs, either).

What About Other Meat?

Some states or municipalities may have additional rules about what meat you can eat. For example, California bans foie gras in restaurants due to concerns over how ducks and geese are force-fed to make their livers fatty.

Also, there are much more stringent rules if you want to sell meat commercially. For example, federal law prohibits selling horse meat but doesn't technically ban eating it. There's also a movement to ban selling lab-grown meat in certain states due to concerns that it will negatively affect livestock farmers.

Other animals you may think are protected are not. For example, some people feel strongly about protecting bears, but they can be hunted and eaten in most states (although it is strictly regulated at the state level).

What About Roadkill?

Eating roadkill might not appeal to most of us, either. On the other hand, if you run over a deer, why not put it to use? There's a good argument it's the most ethical thing to do.

The laws about taking roadkill also depend on what state you're located in, where you found it, and some other conditions (again, depending on state laws). In many, taking roadkill requires a permit, either for hunting or specifically to take roadkill. Other states require you to notify relevant authorities if you plan on keeping roadkill, usually within a day of taking it. Still others limit the locations where you can keep roadkill. So, before putting a recently deceased bear in your trunk for future use, make sure you are aware of local laws. While eating roadkill can be perfectly safe, you have to have a good idea of what you're doing, so state authorities regulate the practice heavily.

The Bottom Line

People will sometimes want to try "exotic" meat. And cultures around the world view which animals are edible differently. But before you go out trying to gather exotic meat, be aware of federal, state, and local laws.

And as a practical matter, if you're eating a strange meat that people report tastes like chicken, you could always just ... eat chicken.

Related Resources

• Hunting Laws by State FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Why Have Florida and Alabama Made Lab-Grown Meat Illegal? (FindLaw's Federal Courts)
• Dangerous Foods and the Law (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)