The Gemara in Masechet Pesachim (49b) states that an Am Ha'aretz, an unlearned person, may not partake of meat; the consumption of meat is reserved for those who study Torah. The Gemara cites a proof-text for this Halacha from the verse, "Zot Torat Ha'beheima" ("This is the law of the animal" – Vayikra 11:46), which alludes to the fact that only if one studies Torah may he partake of animals.
Rabbi Chayim Ben Atar (author of the famous Torah commentary "Or Ha'chayim," Morocco-Israel, 1696-1743), in his commentary to Shulchan Aruch entitled "Peri Tohar," deduces from this Halacha that one may not feed kosher meat to animals. If a person must study Torah before he becomes eligible to eat meat, and thus an Am Ha'aretz is forbidden from partaking of meat, then certainly an animal must likewise not be fed meat. The "Peri Tohar" indeed accepts this conclusion as Halacha.
Others, however, disagree with this view of the "Peri Tohar." Rabbi Yosef Engel (Poland, 1859-1920), in his work "Gilyonei Ha'Shas," notes that according to the commentaries, the Gemara forbids the consumption of meat by an Am Ha'aretz because he is unversed in the Halachot relevant to the preparation of meat, and might therefore end up partaking of non-kosher meat. Hence, it is permissible for an Am Ha'aretz to receive meat prepared by a knowledgeable Jew and partake of it. This concern obviously does not pertain to animals, and it therefore should be permissible to feed an animal kosher meat.
Furthermore, the work "Beit Shemuel" claims that the Gemara forbids an Am Ha'aretz from partaking of meat because of the obligation of "Kedoshim Tihyu" ("You shall be sacred"), which mandates that one exercise a degree of self-restraint even with respect to that which is, strictly speaking, permissible. In principle, all Jews should refrain from eating meat due to this obligation. Torah scholars, however, are permitted to eat meat insofar as the consumption of meat helps give them the strength and peace of mind they need to properly concentrate on their studies. An Am Ha'aretz, who does not study Torah, does not require the consumption of meat, and thus the principle of "Kedoshim Tihyu" mandates that he refrain from partaking of meat. Needless to say, according to this explanation, as well, this law bears no relevance to animals. Indeed, this is the generally accepted Halacha, that one may feed meat to animals.
One may also understand this Halacha in the Gemara according to the principles of Kabbala (mysticism). Creation consists of four basic realms: inanimate objects, vegetation, animals, and humans. Each level can undergo elevation by becoming part of the level above it. Earth is elevated by its producing vegetation; vegetation is elevated through its consumption by animals; and animals are elevated through their consumption by human beings. However, the elevation of animals into the higher realm of human beings occurs only if the human partakes of the meat with the required Berachot and proper intent; otherwise, the consumption is no different than the consumption of animals by other animals. For this reason, then, the Gemara forbade the consumption of meat by an Am Ha'aretz, who does not study Torah and therefore does not maintain the aura of sanctity necessary to elevate the meat to a higher level. According to this approach, it would likewise be forbidden to feed kosher meat to an animal.
In any event, as mentioned earlier, this matter is subject to debate and it is generally accepted that one may feed meat to animals.
