BEST OF: The pet food industry, comprised of just a handful of companies, rakes in over a $100 billion in global sales. This doesn’t even include the pet industry itself which generates even more profit. Although Milk-Bone, invented in 1908, was originally created as a special treat with nutritional ingredients, the modern industry adds by default or intention chemicals, antibiotics, preservatives, and the lowest quality meat available, often the equivalent of road kill. The labeling appeals to emotionally driven consumers who are as taken advantage of by pet food labels as they are the labels for their own food.

Pet food and other products were non-existent in the early 20th-century, but as the industry grew so did the relatively infantile field of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians recommended the food and that food today, more than ever, then sends pets to the doctors with the same conditions human have; obesity, diabetes, organ failure, etc. Veterinarians then prescribe surgery, drugs, and shots, or assisted death.

About 7 in 10 American households have pets and nearly a third are populated by people with allergies, and asthma, to those same animals. The percentage is higher in the U.S. than it is worldwide at about 10-20%. These allergies are, of course, if they are even recognized, treated with drugs and shots. Many choose to live with pets, knowing they are sick as a result, out of the love they have for their animals. It is this love, and particular for dogs and cats, which is exploited by the pet industry.

Much of the issue is also cultural since we call birds or bats ‘rats with wings’ and have no issue slaughtering up to one hundred thousand cattle daily for enjoyment. Anyone with allergies or other pet preferences, such as lizards or spiders, are not only treated differently but as a result are not exploited in the same way dog and cat owners are by the industry.