Well I have to say it go me thinking.
When shopping I often look at country of origin to help choose what to buy. However I am not even sure if pet foods have this on the label. If we really believe in a sustainable lifestyle, then we should apply it to all aspects of our life.
A friend of mine many years ago decided to only feed her cat dry cat biscuits as she was conscious of the number of tins that she got through. At the time I thought it a bit eccentric, but I think maybe she was just a bit ahead of her time. We probably get through more tins for the cats than we do for ourselves.
Our cat's diet consists mostly of minced beef supplied frozen in plastic bags by a local business that disposes of unwanted cattle by processing them into pet food products. No cans, minimal food miles and no additives.
So puss is cheap to feed and has a very small 'carbon footprint'
Harm Less Solutions.co.nz
NZ & AU distributor of Eco Wood Treatment stains and Bambu Dru bamboo fabrics and clothing
not to forget good freash meat is so good for the health of our cats and dogs too.
or how over run we were with rats when we moved here...haven't seen any vermin for a long time now!
Life gets a bit tricky when your Vet is telling you that the only food your dog can have following a $1000 operation (including pre and after care) for a bladder stone is a nasty biscuit only diet (mainly grains) and you do your own research and come up with a diet that only comes in a can. Having said that, I am now thinking of throwing all the advise out with the bath water so to speak and increasing her protein using chicken carcasses etc. Google is not your friend when you are trying to work out what is best for your little pal and getting rid of tins would be a bonus! Went to the recycling station today only too aware of the plastic milk bottles and the dogs tins.
moggy;285219 wrote: Well I have to say it go me thinking.
When shopping I often look at country of origin to help choose what to buy. However I am not even sure if pet foods have this on the label. If we really believe in a sustainable lifestyle, then we should apply it to all aspects of our life.
A friend of mine many years ago decided to only feed her cat dry cat biscuits as she was conscious of the number of tins that she got through. At the time I thought it a bit eccentric, but I think maybe she was just a bit ahead of her time. We probably get through more tins for the cats than we do for ourselves.
Yes, it says on those pet food packets where it is made - but it is in VERY small print and quite hidden. Some are made in France or the USA and Optimum is made in Australia. Most tinned cat food is either made here in NZ or in Australia. Only the fancy ones are made in USA.
One of our cats devours unhatched eggs and rooster chicks at this time of year
Simkin;285279 wrote: Yes, it says on those pet food packets where it is made - but it is in VERY small print and quite hidden. Some are made in France or the USA and Optimum is made in Australia. Most tinned cat food is either made here in NZ or in Australia. Only the fancy ones are made in USA.
One of our cats devours unhatched eggs and rooster chicks at this time of year
I was told years ago by an accountant friend that had visited a pet food factory in South Auckland that it had put him off feeding that type of product to any pet ever! I assume it was canned or minced food.
Harm Less Solutions.co.nz
NZ & AU distributor of Eco Wood Treatment stains and Bambu Dru bamboo fabrics and clothing
What annoys me most about these people is that they have no middle ground. Why aren't they more helpful and educate people on more sustainable ways to feed carnivorous pets?
There are a lot of parts of animal carcasses that we don't eat, a marketing oportunity for it to be sold as 'green' petfood.
My pets often get fed chicken carcasses, what else would be done with those otherwise? Landfill?
Also the possum problem could be aided by turning it into petfood. (I understand someone was doing this, but I think ended up exporting most of it.)
Besides, if people own more herbivores won't that mean we need to grow (or import) more grain?
I don't think they were seriously suggesting we should eat our dogs. It was a heading in a book designed to catch peoples attention, and it obviously did exactly that. It was designed to do exactly what is happening here - making people think and talk about it.
Possum dog chow, now that would not be a bad idea, I am sure it could be sold as the new green food for dogs and cats and probably charge more for it.
Must admit, when our cat goes, I won't be replacing him. He eats expensive stuff and my baits and traps catch more mice and rats than he does. Then again, he is geriatric.
The Dog on the other hand at least pretends to work, though he and I have differing ideas about the way he should work. [}]
45 hectares between Whangarei and Paparoa. Registered Dexter cattle, Wiltshire sheep - black, white & pied.
New Hampshire Red poultry & Dorking poultry. Pilgrim Geese, Appleyard Ducks.
A cat called Pusscat and still looking for another heading dog.
mewing for a drink of milk 
