FORBES DOESN’T GET WHY PEOPLE CARE FOR ANIMALS IN HARD ECONOMIC TIMES
March 13th, 2009 by David Yaskulka
Forbes just published an article, “Doting On Animals In Hard Times – Why pet owners don’t feed their beloved creatures generic brands.”
The author, Rutgers sociologist Lionel Tiger, wonders, “Why are these human beings–evidently fretfully concerned about their own welfare and resources–wasting time and money on other animals … Why do they shop the aisles of pet foods with discernment and commitment …?”
He wonders how we can possibly spend so much “resources, time and energy…on a completely wasteful economic category: pets.”
I’m guessing you have the same reaction I do.
Check out Halo’s News page to see what he has to say about Halo, and for a link to the whole story.
 |
 |
| Receive new blog posts, plus Halo's free holistic pet care newsletter by signing up today! |
March 13th, 2009 at 10:44 am
i think some people think of pets purely as animals (like a farmer) others like us find a relationship that enriches our lives makes us better creatures.
someone like this guy has no empathy maybe someday he will.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
People continue to feed quality pet foods during hard times for the same reason they don’t suddenly start eating strictly ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese during hard times. There’s a nutritional requirement for animals as well as humans and they aren’t well met by grocery store brand pet foods.
Once you’ve worked for years trying to find a cat food that doesn’t make your pet vomit, you tend to stick with it and scrimp on your own wants instead. Also, most pets eat less of premium foods, often making the cost per day to feed them LESS than the cost per day of feeding junk brands. Premium brands of cat food also reduce the amount of waste a cat produces, thus reducing the total amount of cat litter, litter liners, and trash bags used.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Economists have difficulty quanitifying scary things like emotions. And our feelings for pets are far from rational.
One of the many things that bothered me about his article is that he mentions Hills Science Diet, as if it were a premium. When, in fact, its top ingredients, which are by-products and corn, distance it quite a bit from any of the ACTUAL premium foods, which have human-grade meats and other high quality ingredients.
I’m not surprised, merely disappointed.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I Love Pets almost as much as I Love “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” . I am 49 and I have always had Pets until I had to move into a rental apartment that I could afford. My Landlord does not allow pets, but I know that one day I will have a pet or pets again, I am hopeful that my situation will get better. I am a Big believer in rescueing pets, My Last Dog I had I rescued from a SPCA when I was living Florida, it was while attending a Civil War Reenactment, so naturally I had to name him Shiloh. Shiloh is in dog heaven now, old age, he was so lovable. Sure I am having some hard times but I totally disagree with Tiger, if I could have pet(s) in my apartment I would surely have one inspite of my hard times, and I would feed my pet Halo even if it doesn’t have food allergies because I have been a believer in Vitamins, supplements and holistic medicine and good natural foods for myself because It makes me feel better, so naturally I would want the same for my pets.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:11 am
I feel honestly sorry for people who just “don’t get it.” Those who have never experienced the love of an animal are indeed unfortunate. Why buy the very best in tough times? Simple! To those who truly love their companion animals, they are our children. Their health and well being are of the utmost importance. When times are hard, you give up things like dinners out, new clothes, high speed Internet – whatever it takes. Superior quality food and regular veterinary care are simply not options. I often think that if more parents of children of the human variety felt the same way, there would be far fewer overweight and undernourished kids in our society.