Among the findings of a report released Tuesday on household debt by the Vanier Institute of the Family was a breakdown of the Top 20 products that rose the most in cost between 2000 and 2008.
Pet care came in at No. 1 with a 123 per cent rise in that period. The cost of related pets and pet supplies rose by 75 per cent and was ranked 13th.
It seems a curious that pet products have risen so highly, compared to other costs. For instance the cost of educating your child at university rose by 73 per cent in that period, and the cost of university lodging rose by 93 per cent.
But attitudes towards pets have changed a lot since 2000.
You can see this from the wording of a news release that appeared on the wire Tuesday.
The release promotes Petsecure, a pet health insurance firm, and it refers not to dog owners, but to "pet parents." It tells the story of a Toronto "pet parent" whose pet child?? needed $2,500 for ligament surgery after the animal was attacked by a stray dog. Apparently, her former pet health insurance company denied the claim and Petsecure stepped in.
"When we heard what Romelda had been through, we wanted to help; our goal as a company is to ensure that pets across Canada enjoy longer, fuller and healthier lives, even if that means helping one pet parent at a time!" Randy Valpy, President & CEO of Petsecure pet health insurance, said in the release.
As pets have become more important to Canadian families and Canadian culture, the number of products and services devoted to pets has also increased.
Not only do pet parents find themselves paying for expensive surgeries, but they also have the option of buying high-end dog food, like the Natural Defense brand, developed by Toronto-based business incubator Mars, and launched in North America just last week.
My mistake. Natural Defense was launched by Mars Canada, maker of the ubiquitous chocolate bar, as well as many pet food brands, including Pedigree and Whiskas.
Natural Defence features a fairly impressive ingredient list, even by human standards: marigold extract to boost the immune system, Omega 3 from flax seed and glucosamine for joint care protection, myrtle leaf and green tea extract to support oral health.
Sounds almost good enough to feed to your university-bound non-pet child.
Comparing pet *owners* to parents *is* an insult. I am both by the way. I have 2 girls, and have almost always had cats.
Both are choices, but being a parent can also be an accident. There is WAY more to being a parent. You have to feed, clothe, nurture, teach and protect a child, way more than a pet. A child also becomes a self-sufficient teenager then an adult. It's more than just putting out a bowl of food.
It doesn't surprise me. After a few American takeovers of Canadian businesses the price rose almost 25% overnight on dog food. Seems to be the going exchange rate. Loblaws brand started at $28 a bag and went to $39 in a little over a year, then fell back to $33 but the bag shrank conciderably. I had to switch to Walmart for reasonable prices. I have 7 Huskies and a Lab, I had no choice.
I have my own children as well, and a cat (used to be 3 cats). And even though both do rely on the adult for food and shelter, it is STILL not the same as being a parent. Children grow up, become self-sufficient and can help the parents with household chores etc. I'm not saying a pet cannot return love or make a person feel better. But still, it is insulting to compare a pet owner to a parent.
I'm one of those people who will buy a load of silly toys for my pets. I would not, however, buy strollers or an entire wardrobe for a dog. I think that is more about entertaining and drawing attention to the owner. I would buy a rain 'jacket' for a dog for the pet's comfort, and to avoid wet dog smell in the house, but that's about it.
I also have little sympathy for pet owners who willingly put themselves into debt. Cost of maintenance is something that needs to be taken into account when you're considering adopting (Notice I said adopting, not buying) a pet, or having children.
Comparing pet ownership to real parents, however is not an insult to real parents, it's a recognition of how much work goes into caring for a pet. We have pets (Dogs and cats) and children (including a 2 month old). They all depend on us for food, shelter, behavioural education, and love. Only pet parents will understand this.
Okay, after reading the ingredients list, Mars Canada makes a lot more sense. With regards to the Natural Defence the phrase lipstick on a pig come to mind. If you're interested in feeding your dog premium food, spend the extra 20-30% and get something with more meat than filler. It may seem like more money, but I end up feeding my pups 4 cups per day instead of the 8+ cups I'd need for the waste products Mars Canada is passing off as dog food.
Having a child or a pet is a personal decision, and parents of children also willingly put themselves into debt trying to raise they're children. No sympathy from me for the "real parents".
I have little sympathy for pet owners who willingly put themselves into debt... and comparing it to real parents, is an insult.
People shampoo = $3.99
Doggie shampoo = $8.99
HUH??