From: altar@beaufort.sfu.ca (Ted Wayn Altar)
Subject: Re: Dick Gregory and Vegetarian Pets
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 18:12:19 GMT



>>Ted Wayn Altar wrote:
>> 
>> Dick Gregory, the well-known comedian turn pacifist wrote:
>>                              ^^^^^^^^
>>      People are funny about their pets and their pets' diet.
>>      When you suggest to some folks that they ought to try
>>      putting their dogs and cats on a meatless diet, they will
>>      respond as though their little pets had never been
>>      domesticated!  They will say, "Dogs and cats are supposed to
>>      eat meat.  After all, they're descended from tigers and
>>      wolves!"  Of course, if there was any real practicing line
>>      of descent, the chances are the pets would already have
>>      consumed their owners and their owners' kids!

Ted Feurerbach replied:

>Ah, so in the process of domestication, these animals have evolved
>a different physiology from their wild cousins?  SUUUUURRRRE!

I don't think Gregory is saying that, although in the interests
of humorous hyperbole, the point is put oddly.  The point, I think,
that Gregory is making is that cats and dogs who are under
our ward are NOT being permitted a completely "natural" diet or 
livestyle in any case.

Some mutual accomodation is required for this peculiar "symbiotic"
relationship.  Maybe the cat and dog have accomodated themselves
more to us than we to them, but the fact remains that they are
no longer "wild" animals living in their natural enviroment that
they have evolved to fit themselves within.   Commercial pet food
is not "natural" anymore than veterinary medicine is "natural".


>Remember, this comes from a *COMEDIAN* not a *VETERNARIAN*.  I have
>an enormous amount of respect for Dick Gregory as an activist, but
>he has no background that makes him an authority on animal nutrition 
>and physiology.

I agree.  Good point.


>As far as all this vegan cat stuff is concerned, STOP DOING CRUEL
>EXPERIMENTS ON YOUR LOVING PET!!!!!  IF YOU SCREW UP (and you will)
>YOUR CAT WILL GO BLIND OR SUFFER FROM HEART DISEASE!!!!!  IT TAKES


I've already posted some information that documents that a vegetarian
diet is not only a theoretical possibility, but is a practical one
as long as due care is taken and that only the approved commercial
supplements and/or vegetarian pet food is used.  Ted, I greatly
respect and admire your good work with saving animals, but
the now available vegetarian pet foods and supplements
is a safe and viable practice.  Indeed, my cat's fur has actually
improved in its lustre since I've used the vegetarian supplements 
and foods.  And yes, my vet is aware of her diet, has read and
approves of Lynn Peden's book and is carefully monitoring my
cat's health.  To date, he is quite impressed by her health for
a 10 year old cat.  Maybe just a little overweight, since I do indulge
her with a little too many snacks  ;-(

I agree that NO ONE should attempt to feed their cat or dog a
vegetarian diet without due care.  Again, that includes using only
the approved commercial supplements and/or vegetarian pet food
and having one's pet seen by a veterinarian on an annual basis.
Even if your cat or dog is not on a vegetarian diet, the same
advice holds.   One should NEVER experiment with one's pet by
feeding them just anything off one's plate or in one's cupboard.
For example, people have fed their cats aspirn not knowing that
this is highly toxic to cats!  Very safe for people, but not
for cats.

Incidentally, some dogs actually develop allergies to meat and
a vegetarian diet is the only alternative.  

				Happy Holiday Season,

						ted