Do Chinese people still eat cats and dogs?

The practise of consuming cats and dogs does indeed occur in China, even to this day. However, it is nowhere near as common as how stereotypes in the Western world make it out to be.

Cat meat is only eaten in in the southern reaches of China, notably the Cantonese areas (excluding Hong Kong, where it is illegal). Stemming from this, approximately 4 million cats are eaten a year. Elsewhere in China, cats are not eaten and it is considered taboo to eat cats.

Dog meat is more common in China, with about 8 million dogs eaten there yearly. Again, the practise is largely regionally dependent, taking place mainly in the far north-east of China as well as the Cantonese areas.

The consumption of cat and dog meat is not without controversy within China itself. Chinese Buddhists have considered dog to be one of the forbidden meats, and there have been many protests and movements against cat and dog consumption from within China. The consumption of dogs and cats is illegal in the SAR of Hong Kong, owing to its UK rule.

The proportion of the population that eats cats and/or dogs is extremely small. The percentage of people who do eat one of them or both represent less than 1% of the entire population.

While the practise of eating cats and dogs angers and upsets many who own them as pets, it in itself is no worse than eating other animals. While the Hindu Indians may think of eating cattle as barbaric and cruel, it is one of the most enjoyed and consumed meat in the West. However, keep in mind that as a developing country, China does struggle with critical animal cruelty issues that often plague the cat and dog meat industry. This does not mean that it is wrong to eat cat and dog meat in itself, however, but that better treatment of the meat cats and dogs should be encouraged and taught.