Why does intelligence have ANYTHING to do with sentience? Just because an animal (and we ARE animals too) does not understand that the image it is seeing in a mirror is itself does not mean it is not aware of itself. There are plenty of HUMANS that have a lower intelligence level than many animals but we don't consider them lower down on the ladder. We don't consider them for food.

As far as animals being used for food, period, I have no right to tell someone "You can't eat that." But I do believe it should be done the right way. We should take into consideration the ecosystem, the health of an animal's population, and little to no suffering for the animals. Animals should have a right to not live in their own filth, have access to veterinary care, fed a proper diet, and slaughtered humanely. Other than that, I have no problem with other people eating ANY meat.

And animals should not be deemed not suitable for eating just because they are cute and furry. Personally, I'd love to have a pet cow, goat, chickens, etc. These are considered to be food for many but I would love to have them as beloved members of my family. Does my idea that cows are pets make it not right for others to eat them, no.