Recognizing the capacity of animals to understand and suffer is basic science, not idealism. People with pets understand this and we know they should protect the health and well-being of the animals they keep. In fact, they often support laws requiring that pets are treated well enough.

But the moment it's a designated food animal, this goes out the window and brains shut off.

So anyways are you gonna eat dogs and cats or are you an "idealist"?