Kant would say that the moral harm there isn't to the animal, which isn't a moral subject, but to you since you may be undermining your instinct not to hurt thi

Kant would say that the moral harm there isn't to the animal, which isn't a moral subject, but to you since you may be undermining your instinct not to hurt things that look like you (big eyed kittens), making it easier to hurt people. Possibly indulging in your instinct to destroy things which disgust you (skittering cockroaches) also makes it easier to hurt people. So best not to do either unless you have a pretty good reason.