Having been deluged of reading on the pet food recall and all of its repercussions, the biggest splash I've noticed, especially online, is the explosion in promotion for homemade pet recipes. While immediately I enjoyed the beautiful opportunity the open market can bring to the consumer so quickly, I very soon thought of the many people who will be promoting products such as e-Books, with homemade recipes for your pet. And most importantly, the many products that are out there that really won't have your pet's best interest in mind.
Now based on recent estimates, there are over 60 million pet dogs and 75 million pet cats living in America today. That's a lot of mouths to feed!!! Quoting the Associated Press, "Dog and cat food sales in the United States reached over $14.3 billion in 2005, according to the Pet Food Institute that represents manufacturers of commercial pet food. Surveys by the Organic Trade Association indicated sales of organic pet food increased from $14 million in 2003 to $30 million for 2005." Based on the backlash effect that has been felt all over the country, I believe the organic, alternative lifestyle for America's pets will continue to grow and hit new highs, while the traditional pet food industry will never regain the trust it once enjoyed. Needless to say, there's a lot of money on the line.
What I'd like to remind anyone who's interested in cooking or preparing food for their pets is make sure that the food you are cooking for your pet is actually what they require, nutritionally speaking. Each breed does require a specific diet. Just because it's homemade and organic does not guarantee that your pet will be "healthier." If you choose to go the homemade route, please do your homework. Find out not only what your pet's diet needs to be, but also look seriously into the credibility of the person who has authored the recipe, the book, or the website.
If you are interested in doing this for your pet, it obviously shows the value you place on their life. So do them a favor and take the extra step to ensure that what you are about to do for them really will help them to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar29/0,4670,PetFoodOrganic,00.html
Related Sites:
Organic Trade Association - http://www.ota.com/
Pet Food Institute - http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site has additional resources and information for consumers, including a comprehensive list of recalled pet food, at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html
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