do chinese or japanese really eat cats and dogs?

Yes there is some truth. Some cultures do not see these animals as pets/family like many in the "western world".

I remember reading a news story price of dog meat going up in Korea when they had a big scare of avian flu.

yes, but only in remote places in Asia. You will not be able to get cat or dog meat from your local Chinese/Japanese/Korean restaurant cuz it's much cheaper to give you beef/chicken/pork than cat and dog meat.

The type of animals available is different from country to country. As well, some cultures see the consuming of certain type of animals unacceptable. Just because we don't eat cats or dogs doesn't mean it's wrong to do so. North Americans eat rabbits, moose, deer, in addition to the conventional cow, pig, chicken, lamb. Australians eat kangeroo; Insects are considered delicacy in many countries...each to its own. The only "wrong" would be cannibalism.

Yes, some do eat cat and dog meat in their own country(Koreans also). Don't worry about chinese/japanese/korean restaurants in america or anywhere else serving mystery meat. They have no reason to trick you into eating it.

I can't imagine the fussy Japanese dining on either cat or dog. Perhaps in the darkest days of the war, but not as an "entertainment."
And these people love to be entertained in restaurants.

The Chinese, on the other hand, seem to go after dog for the sensual experience of eating its meat.

Don't freak. The Saudian Arabians eat whole roasted camel. That's all they're used for now.

Theres a lot of cultures who do eat cat meat and dog meat. In the west this is seen as gross, but in a lot of cultures they see eating cow meat and drinking cow milk as extreemly disturbing and immoral. Going about steriotyping chinese and Japanese to eat cats and dogs is just like saying, Canadians eat eggs. Not all may eat eggs, but some do.

I know the Chinese certainly do. As do Koreans and Fillipinos.

i know the Japanese still sometimes use Cat or Dog skin for the
drum heads on their shamisens

Do Japanese Eat Dogs

No Japan does not eat cats nor dogs that was ended in the Edo period 1800s but China does eat your cute fav animals

Some do (including some Koreans too), but not all.