| How far are you willing to go for your pets? Do you | | | | care for pets who become sick more often because |
| make sacrifices for them? | | | | they are not getting proper nutrition, then the better |
| In the wake of the contaminated pet food recall of | | | | foods are still cost effective, if not actually a bargain. |
| 2007, and now in the throes of an economy in | | | | Here's what one pet owner wrote to me: |
| trouble, the effort to feed our pets has become that | | | | "I purchase premium cat food and treats, plus I |
| much more difficult. While many people are losing, and | | | | sometimes make my own (pet) food for one of my |
| have lost, their homes, untold numbers of pets are | | | | chubby cats who is currently on a weight reduction |
| being abandoned, surrendered or put down because | | | | program. My budget is tight but I would rather |
| they are just another financial burden. | | | | purchase the premium food for my cats than risk |
| However, many pet owners are not willing to give | | | | vet visits due to poor nutrition. My cats are not |
| them up. Pets are an integral part of our lives and | | | | spoiled, though some would disagree, but good |
| provide unconditional love and companionship, qualities | | | | nutrition is important and something I'm not willing to |
| too valuable for some people to relinquish. However, | | | | sacrifice. In addition... I can easily give up things until |
| those people often feel the money-pinch when it | | | | this economy improves, but my cats cannot. |
| comes to keeping Fido and Fluffy fed, often | | | | ~~Barbara Garcia, California |
| switching to cheaper, supermarket brand foods. Even | | | | Making decisions about keeping or surrendering our |
| though it's been proven those brands are lower in | | | | pets should not have to come down to whether we |
| quality and may not be fully nutritious, sales of the | | | | can afford their food. Perhaps we all can make some |
| cheap stuff have skyrocketed, while premium quality | | | | sacrifices to help keep families and pets together. |
| food sales have mostly dropped. | | | | Give up some or all of a smoking habit and donate |
| Still, thanks to pet owners who have done their | | | | the saved amount to feeding a friend's or your own |
| homework, some premium food companies are doing | | | | pet. Explore other spending habits and see where |
| well, and a few new companies have even formed. | | | | they can be pared down, too, and help support a cat |
| How can that be? At first glance, it may not make | | | | or dog. It just doesn't seem right to reduce a loved |
| sense, and some people will accuse some owners of | | | | pet's existence to a life or death choice because of |
| "spoiling" their pets at the expense of themselves | | | | money. |
| and their families. However, if you factor in veterinary | | | | |