The distinction between a pet and a cattle is that the cattle the owner has a dependency to but a pet may one can dispose at will. To the treatment of pets I would say that the treatment has less relevance than the complete stripping of autonomy for after your existence has become an instrument of one's will, your the meaning of your existence ceases the moment one finds a better tool. ALSO I would argue that this – especially, in the historical sense – may well be the essence & causality of this WHOLE thing.