One of my good friends was planning on bringing a Ball Python into his home within the next few months. His girlfriend, which is also one of my best friends, was completely on board and excited about him getting a snake until she realized that it would have to eat rats. I mean, she understood it had to eat rats, but I guess she didn't completely process the idea of him having to feed rats to the snake. Now, she has essentially told him that she will not allow him to get a snake for that reason.

We were all having a discussion the other night and she told me that she didn't like the idea even though she eats meat. She labeled herself as a "guilty meat-eater," where she feels guilty that she eats meat, but wouldn't actually do anything to NOT eat meat. This girl is one of the most carnivorous people I have ever met and don't understand how she can justify this mindset. She prides herself on her logical thought processes and hates when people come to irrational conclusions based on their emotions or when people are hypocritical. When I say hate, I mean HATE; she can fume for hours. I understand there are people that eat meat out there, but still wouldn't be comfortable feeding a snake, BUT she isn't allowing it because she feels it is wrong - not because she would have to feed it (because she wouldn't).

I told her he has the option of feeding F/T (which is what I do), therefore she wouldn't have to feel bad about him "killing" the rat. I also informed her (in a nice manner) that it is hypocritical of her, who has the ability and cognitive function to change her diet to a vegetarian diet, to eat meat, while essentially believing that it's bad for a snake to eat a rat.

I guess what frustrates me about this whole situation is that she has stated she feels guilty for eating meat, yet won't change her eating habits for the "well-being" of the animal she is eating. YET, she feels it's bad to feed an animal to another animal and, therefore, will not allow her boyfriend to have a snake because it is "wrong." Is there something I'm missing that I don't understand? I would gladly go vegetarian before I expected any of my carnivorous animals to turn into vegetarians, even my dogs (which I believe are technically omnivorous??)!! What are your thoughts on this topic?

**Disclaimer: I do understand it is their decision on whether or not they get a pet, and they should come to an agreement together. I am in no way saying that she should let him get a snake and it is wrong of her to not want one, I am just stating that her REASON on why she feels this way is baffling to me. Also, the girlfriend wears the pants in the relationship, so what she says is usually final.**

Thanks for allowing me to rant .