Before long the dog rescue shelters will be inundated and the pain and suffering of millions of our pets will be at record levels as the ‘credit crunch’ bites further.
From Reuters 12.16.08:London animal refuge bursting with abandoned pets
It’s not just bankers, businesses and ordinary members of the public suffering from the credit crunch. Animals are having a bad time too.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Britain’s best-known animal refuge center located in south London, said on Tuesday it was at bursting point as some people dumped pets they could no longer afford to keep.
The refuge said it had taken in 6,430 stray dogs so far this year, over a 1,000 more than at the same stage in 2007.
It has been firmly established that 90% of all diseases in dogs are food related.
The practice of feeding your dog a commercial diet of canned or packet kibble pet food leads to the following
- 90% of all disease in dogs is linked to poor nutrition.
- 85% of dogs by age 4 will suffer from periodontal disease increasing to 100% by age 12.
- Half of all dogs over the age of 10 will have developed cancer.
- Cancer is the Number 1 cause of death in dogs.
- In the US 1 in 5 dogs suffer from Arthritis.
- 27% of all dogs suffer from allergies that cause scratching and ear infections.
- Over 70% of Anal Sac Gland cases are due to tinned and packaged food and other soft foods incurring increased veterinary visits and increased costs.
- Tooth and gum problems are the most common medical condition seen in pets.
Based on questionnaire surveys in the US, Canada, UK and Denmark the average life span of most dog breeds is 10 to 13 years. - 1 in 4 dogs the world over are obese (National Research Council).
- High fat and sugar levels in commercial pet foods are a leading cause for obesity and the number one health disorder seen by veterinarians across the US.
- Since 1997 Veterinarians have been hiking prices at more than twice the rate of inflation.
DR. Janet Grace DVM
“If you don’t have the money right now, you lose the pet. That’s what we’re trying to prevent,” said Grace, whose veterinary practice is at Valu Vet in Inglewood. “One day I put 13 animals to sleep that could have been fixed if the owners could have afforded it. A lot of people assume when they get a pet, they’re going to be healthy. Pets are a luxury.”
Dog owners spent an average of $785 on vet bills last year*, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. (By contrast, on toys and treats, dog owners spent $115).
It does not have to be this way – dog health problems can be practically eliminated!
It’s all down to what your dog eats and the cost to you in the long run. In terms of money spent on food and at the vet as a result of illness associated directly to the food your feeding your pet today is enormous! By changing to a more natural diet that includes some fresh food there are huge savings to be made right under our noses and the money saved at the vet is at least in the order of 85%+.
If we all fed a natural diet to our dogs there would not be a shelter crowding problem, there would not be many abandoned pets on the streets because owners simply cant afford to keep them and there would be massively reduced suffering and costs from ailments and temperament problems by your next family companion after your diligent search through the shelters.
I admire people who take on shelter dogs and my contribution is to help you start your new dog off on the right track with a sound healthy diet that will make a staggering difference to you and your dogs life, put a huge smile on your face, save you a lot of precious money and ultimately lesson the numbers at the dog shelter.
If you have any dog health questions get my free in-depth report and discover what real dog health is all about.
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