Jain Spirit 2005 09 No23

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 70

ENVIRONMENT
One side of the issue is described by little or no animal suffering or death
company, Nature's Recipe Vegetarian Verona re-Bow and Jonathan Dune, in initiated by the production of meat-based Canine Formula "was created to give your the book Vegetarian Dogs: Toward a dog foods.
adult dog a diet free of animal protein World Without Exploitation. The pair
ingredients that can cause skin and coat contends, "Since grains, vegetables and Nonetheless, such a practice still
problems in dietary-sensitive dogs." cruelty-free supplements can meet all of dramatically increases the revenues Nature's Recipe Allergy Treats are also a dog's needs, why not choose the diet earned by the meat industry and it is provided and are "free of animal protein that causes as little suffering as possible?" unclear to me whether changes in the that can cause itchy and flaky skin in dogs Here, the authors allude to the fact that profitability of industry practices would sensitive to meat, dairy and corn." meat-based dog food contains the by- affect the supply of the food. In other products of so-called food-producing words, if animal by-products could not Another well-respected brand, Wysong, animals, such as chickens, cows, pigs be sold for profit, would the price of meat was developed by veterinarian Dr. Randy and lambs. The argument follows that the increase, triggering a decrease in demand, L. Wysong, a long time critic of the pet very act of providing meat-based foods to leading to the slaughter of fewer animals? food industry. Purveyors of vegetarian dogs contributes to the overall suffering of Though the answer might best be left in dog foods, Wysong describe their animals.
the hands of agro-economists, the point vegan dog food "for use in nutritional
remains: a qualified link may well exist management of adverse food reactions Some might argue, however, that food- between purchasing meat-based dog in ... dogs." However, Dr. Wysong also producing animals are killed with the foods and contributing to the suffering of provides another side of the issue. That primary goal of providing food for humans, food-producing animals.
is: dogs should not be fed an exclusively and that only the waste by-products are
Vegetarian diet because such a diet would used in dog foods. By some estimates, Thus, since it is nutritionally possible to not be entirely natural. about 50% of any food-producing animal provide a healthy vegetarian diet to dogs, is not used for human consumption, and and since this may lead to less animal Strict vegetarianism (veganism) risks goes primarily into pet foods or animal suffering overall, one side argues that it's the health and life of our pet who is feed. Thus, the argument follows, there best to feed a dog a vegetarian diet. specifically designed to eat meat. There is very
are nutritional elements in meat products As a corollary, some not found in plant materials. You can try have advanced to get around it with synthetic additives that a vegetarian and the like, but that forces pets to eat diet is actually synthetic, primarily cooked concoctions healthier for some they would never find, nor eat in the wild. dogs. For example, veterinarian Michael While the debate continues, one thing W. Fox is quoted as remains clear: in the spirit of ahimsa, saying with regard we should not act in any manner that to a vegetarian endangers the health and well-being of diet, "Dogs would the dog. Most sources I have consulted benefit in health recommend working closely with a and temperament veterinarian or holistic veterinarian to worldwide.... Such initiate and/or monitor changes in a a diet would also dog's diet. Similarly, nutrition books and greatly reduce the specialists are recommended to guide any risks of cancer, diet changes.
strokes, heart phate, Calcium Carbonate,
attacks and other Shayna Parekh, 24, is this issue's Guest
common diseases alum Chloride, Dehydrated
Editor. Ever since building a cardboard and disorders." dog house at the age of six, Shayna has
felt a canine connection. She will resume
Furthermore, many her position as a dog walker when she erals, Onion Powder, Garlic
vegetarian dog
begins law school this fall and hopes that foods were originally the dogs like her as much as she loves
designed for dogs them. Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphospha
suffering from food allergies. For RESOURCES example, Nature's > American Holistic Veterinary Medical Recipe, a subsidiary Association of Heinz, is a
> www.vegetariandogs.com
leading producer of > http://www.api4animals.org/79.htm ous Oxide, Calcium lodate, Sodium Selen
vegetarian dog food. > "What's Really in Pet Food" by the Crude Protein 18.0% Min
As described by the Animal Protection Institute Crude Fat 8.0% Min
rude Fibre 4.4% Max Moisture 10.0% Max
Nature's Recipe Vegetarian sanine Formula Ingredients:
Ground Rice. Soy Flour,
Pearled Barley, can Phosphate, ca
Soy Flour, Cracked ney, Canola Oil. Dicalcium
Chlorine Chloride, Vitamins
Minerals, onic
enydrated Carrots, de, Vitamins 1
Powder and Garlic Oil.
1. Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-C Mononitrate, Beta-Carotene,
2-Polyphosphate, Inositol, antothenate, Thiamine
Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, blotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin
2: Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous S Copper Sulfate, Copper Manganous Oxide, ca
Carotene, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyride
plement, Folic Acid, Phylloquinone,
ament, Vitamin D2 Supplement. errous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, opper Proteinate. Manganese Proteinate
Metabolisable Energ
WWW.JAINSPIRIT.COM
VEGETARIAN DOG FOOD DISTRIBUTORS (US):
al per standard 8-oz. cup
iStockph
(based on average analysis)
kphoto.com/uploaded
Nature's Recipe (www.naturesrecipe.com). Wysong Corporation (http://wysong.net)
Ex Mordecha
ded by member. 'aviron' Jain Education International
68
www ainelibrary.org