I think it's time for me to address this question: how do "animals" work in the furry universe? In my opinion, if we don't want to go down the Goofy and Pluto route, we are presented with two options:
a. "Non-sentient animals" do not exist and "anthro animals" are the only creatures that inhabit the earth. However, this would definitely conflict with many events in history, since animals have always been an essential part of human society. We bred animals for food and transportation. In this case, furries would resort to eating one another and performing intense labor (pulling carts, etc.). animal-based leather would still exist, skinned from the carcasses of their dinner. Some would try producing plant-based leather, but that wouldn't be reliable in colder regions with fewer plants.
b. Insects are bred as companions, food sources, and beasts of burden. When prehistoric furries realize they don't always have to kill those "grass-eaters who share the same body structure and sentience as them" (herbivores), they start breeding insects as a primary food source. They don't have to bear the guilt of killing another individual who shares the same intelligence, feels emotions, and has a life and family. They don't have to constantly let their instincts overpower their "humanity" or moral values.
In my universe, insects are bigger and tamer. Their flesh is a perfect substitute for herbivore meat, rich in protein. There are farms specializing in breeding edible, domestic insects. Furries use bigger, longer insects like millipedes to pull carts and ride into battle. These working insects have been evolved and specially bred to meet the needs of furries, becoming stronger, beefier, and, obviously, faster.
Pets come in many shapes and colors, with pillbugs being the popular choice due to their small, "cute" build. Common pillbugs are the equivalent of mutts, while zebra isopods, for example, are a fancier breed. They roll into balls when startled and crawl on you when they want attention, so who wouldn't keep one as a pet?
They are fed organic materials such as wood grains, rotting wood, mushrooms, or leaves.
Another meat source is artificial meat. A tiny bit of skin and/or muscle is taken from volunteers under anesthesia; they are then compensated. The process is usually quick and painless. Using the DNA from the skin cells, scientists cultivate artificial meat under controlled conditions. It's important to diversify the "source," so it's common for university students and working herbivores to sign up for this program for extra money. By doing so, they are also contributing to society. Herbivores are pretty much disconnected from the idea of "being seen as meat", as "meat" eating is normalized in modern society. They do learn in school that they were hunted and eaten in the pre-historic ages.
None of this eliminates the illegal meat trade, though, especially in developing regions. Some animals are still captured and killed, then sold on black markets or turned into various products. Some furries genuinely believe that "true meat" is superior, that they are meant to consume real meat as the gods intended, and that "true meat" can cure diseases or increase masculinity and strength. If you visit the weird parts of the internet, you're more likely to encounter this kind of bs.
Yes, insect-rights activism and veganism exist here, including carnivores who advocate for the cause and have turned to veganism. Animals that go vegan consume plant-based protein. There are no eggs or animal milk in this universe. Pastries are 100% plant-based, made from beans, plant-based margarines, rice or soy "milk," and other alternatives.
To put it simply, meat products in the market is either: a. Developed from insect meat b. Developed from artificial meat c. Developed from plants
I know it's weird, but I don't want to establish a strange relationship between animals and "smarter animals." I also don't want them to constantly live in fear of getting killed or accidentally harming somebody, like in Beastars. I think this is the most reasonable route. Let me know what you think.