From: howard@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.food.veg
Subject: Re: Pets and animal rights
Date: 17 Dec 92 15:29:20 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <BzF1HM.ACy@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, jbeason@s.psych.uiuc.edu (Joseph E. Beason) writes:
> Hmmm, the subject is a bit off, but I'm not sure what a better one is.
> 
> I'm roking under the assumption, which I've heard from
> every vet and vet student I've asked, that cats, and possibly dogs, 
> require meat or meat products in their diet.  So should we purposefully
> breed more carnivores, be they pets or even, say, non-endangered zoo animals?
> 


You are by no means the first person to bring up the discussion. You should
know that it has created major flame wars in the past. 

It is an ethical dilemma for vegetarians as to what to do about their pets. 
I own two pure-bred Newfoundlands, one that I show (he was #2 in the 
country last year for his age group). I don't feed them meat- they 
get Nature's Recipe Vegetarian Dry Dog food, along with 1 can a day of 
their canned soy-based food, and corn oil (good for coat). They love
corn on the cob, broccoli, and bread, and especially whatever I'm eating
(though they only get the leftovers). Both are extremely healthy, and 
that's one of the main reason my younger dog has been winning (health
wins in the show ring in Newfoundlands). As I understand it, Nature's
Recipe has done major studies on dogs on this diet, and have not found
any health deficiencies from it (it is supplemented with B12 and other
vitamins). Nature's Recipe has a meat based formula (range-free lamb)
that is one of the major foods being used by the show dog crowd, so it
is a company that knows what it is doing. Sales of their vegetarian food 
are booming, but my guess is that is not the show-dog crowd, but rather 
the vegetarians who are buying it (there was an article in the New York 
Times a couple of months ago citing it as a bright spot in the recession). 

The Newfoundland is one of the original species of dogs. It was bred
by Indians in Canada to help carry things, and also accompanied fishermen
off the coast of Newfoundland to help rescue men who fell overboard. 
No cropping of tail or ears is done. The breed standard is written 
to emphasize good structure, temperment, and health. I don't see why
we can save Spotted Owls as a species, but when it comes to a species
of dog such as the Newfoundland, some people believe no breeding should
be done. I think a better solution is to have each breed police its 
own breeders. For example, if you ever see a Newfoundland in a pound, 
call the Newfoundland club of America and they will come get it. I know
members who have driven 300 miles to rescue Newfs.  The #1 Newfoundland
in the country last year was Annie, who was dumped at age 4 by previous
owners dirty, skinny, and pregnant, and only made it because of a caring
Newfoundland breeder who took her in and nursed her through having the 
puppies and back to health. She would not have made it if placed with
an inexperienced person, no matter how well-meaning. 

The problem is not with pure-bred dogs (though there are some breeds 
I'd be happy to see go away), but with irresponsible pet owners. These
owners get a dog, don't fix or spay it, then let it roam loose. And
surprise, the female comes home pregnant.  As for it being healthier, 
very often the male lives next door, and may very likely be a littermate, 
so then you've got inbreeding and lots of health problems. Education 
is the answer. The Humane Society of the United States is working very
hard at this, and is a worthy organization to donate to. 


Cats are more difficult, since they do require meat or fish (for 
taurine). I don't know much about this, so I won't speak to it much, 
other than saying I see value to taking in a cat from a pound, even
if fish were required to support it. 


-Mary Howard
Xref: sparky rec.food.veg:11253 talk.politics.animals:10289