Many cultures and many points of view is the best way to introduce the contradiction between a pet or food. Many of the same animals are kept as both. Most western cultures are fine with eating cows, pigs and chickens. But many people keep pigs and chickens as “pets”. Cows are sacred in some cultures and would never be considered food.
So is there really that big of a difference?
The only differences are really in what you’re culturally accustomed to and therefor your perspective. Consider a very popular meat source like the pig. You keep it in a pen, raise is for slaughter there’s no issue. Put the same animal on a leash, keep it in the house and now it’s not meat. This may be the case, but only from the perspective of the pig’s owner.
Similar argument is true for many game/hunted animals. Rabbits are very common game animal and very common pets. Many people also keep rabbits that are raised specifically to eat. Again, what is the difference between a rabbit caged for slaughter and one cages as a pet?
So, with an open mind, explore the diversity of pet or food.