We too are veggie, but would never force our friends to be so, whether they
be human or not.
 
Cats are carnivorous and DO NOT thrive on vegetable diets.
Ferrets are the same.  In the wild, polecats never eat vegetables of any
sort.  Forcing them to do so in captivity will definitely endanger their
health.
 
Yes, your animals liberties are sacrificed to some degree once they become
pets.  Why should they then be additionally forced to consume an unhealthy
diet?
 
I'm not trying to be combative here.  In fact I sympathize deeply with you.
 When we first got cats we considered a veggie diet for them.  But they got
so sick, we had to switch to quality, high protein meat- based food.
[Posted in FML issue 1050]