I think they were saying that it's more baffling to them when non-vegans are shocked by predators predating, which scans with my own experience.

My ex's mum used to regularly eat meat, but would become very upset (even bursting into tears occasionally) if you ever reminded her that the animals she was eating were...well, animals. I can't fathom the amount of effort it must take to maintain that level of cognitive dissonance.

I wish I were a vegetarian, but my circumstances are such that it's not feasible for me to fully make that change right now. I do feel uncomfortable with the ethical implications of eating meat, but I'd rather feel uncomfortable about it than to shove it out of my mind as some people prefer to.