To the Editor:

Re “ ‘For the Dogs’ Has a Whole New Meaning” (June 5), which noted that the $55 billion pet industry appears so healthy in a lackluster economy:

The article should have looked less at products like candles to help dispel pets’ flatulence and more at the consumer-driven demand for better pet foods. The recall of melamine-tainted food in 2007 made pet owners really study the ingredients of mass-produced pet foods they had been feeding their animals — and that is why you see more all-natural and holistic choices today.

Just as it’s not recommended that humans eat fast food three times a day, we should not propose that a dog or cat eat the same grain-based diet daily. Just as a healthy person meets his nutritional needs with a varied diet of fresh food, so does a dog or cat.

Pet industry consumers are pet lovers who rejoice in the glossy coats, bright eyes and vitality of their properly fed companion animals.

Kelly Schlesinger

Houston, June 7

The writer is a sales representative at Natural Pawz, which operates health food stores for pets.

To the Editor:

I applaud people who take excellent care of their animal companions even during difficult economic times, but not all dogs and cats are lucky enough to have gourmet treats and organic food. Some have lost everything, including their homes and the families they love.

Animal shelters across the country are overflowing with animals that have been surrendered by people who have lost their homes or jobs. Other animals have been left behind in empty homes to starve or have been tossed out on the streets like trash.

I encourage caring people to consider donating to an animal food pantry, animal shelter, or low-cost spay/neuter clinic, to help dogs and cats that aren’t as fortunate as their own.

Lindsay Pollard-Post

Holland, Mich., June 7

The writer, who has been a volunteer at a local animal shelter, works for the PETA Foundation.

Article source: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=f8f72250fd4775164b584e887b448c7d