Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism

“An absorbing examination of why humans feel affection and compassion for certain animals but are callous to the suffering of others.” —Publishers Weekly

Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows offers an absorbing look at what social psychologist Melanie Joy calls carnism, the belief system that conditions us to eat certain animals when we would never dream of eating others. Carnism causes extensive animal suffering and global injustice, and it drives us to act against our own interests and the interests of others without fully realizing what we are doing. Becoming aware of what carnism is and how it functions is vital to personal empowerment and social transformation, as it enables us to make our food choices more freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.

“An important and groundbreaking contribution to the struggle for the welfare of animals.” —Yuval Harari, New York Times–bestselling author

“An exposé of the ideas, prejudices, and numbing of men and women who block out the unsavory details of what is involved in the creation and consumption of animal-based foods.” —Spirituality & Practice

“With eloquence and humility, Melanie Joy appeals to the values that all of us already have and have always had. She reminds us of who we are.” —Jonathan Safran Foer, New York Times–bestselling author

“Melanie Joy examines the psychological props that make it possible for us to adore some animals and eat others—and kicks them all aside.” —Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University and author of Animal Liberation Now