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Do you think a dog deserves a home cooked gourmet meal?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 16, 2007 7:16pm CST
Today I was watching a show about a woman who cooks homemade gourmet meals for all her dogs. And, I was wondering, do you think it's right to do such a thing? Dogs are just pets, right? And, I know they can seem human sometimes, but they are still pets. Is it fair to feed an animal such exquisite foods when there are human beings in the world who don't have food to eat everyday?
When I was growing up, we had the most amazing dog ever! Or, at least that's what I thought. And, I'm sure I would have cooked him a gourmet meal if I had known how to turn on the stove. But, thinking about it now, I'm not even sure he would have enjoyed it.
What do you think of this matter? Would you cook a gourmet meal for your dog if you could afford to do so? Do you think dogs deserve to be treated like that? Do you think the dog knows that they are receiving such special treatment or is it simply another meal for them?
3 people like this
13 responses
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I'm currently working on transitioning my dog and cats to homemade food which I intend to use first to accompany their regular food and then to replace it. They all got their first taste today. My dogs food included ground beef, rice and vegetables (a mixture of whole, chopped and pureed). I don't know that you'd call it gourmet, but he certainly thought it was. My dog certainly knew that this was something "special." What he doesn't know is that he'll be getting some tomorrow, as well!
1 person likes this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I don't think pets deserve gourmet meals. I grew up on a farm where we always had a dog and about 20 cats. We threw out the scraps after meals, but other than that they pretty much had to find their own food. They always did fine. I know that doesn't work in a city since pets cannot be allowed to run loose. But regular pet food should be fine. There are too many hungry people in the world to worry about giving gourmet meals to pets.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
17 Aug 07
I don't know. I don't see how it can really make too much of a difference, I think dogs just eat what's in front of them so long as it tastes good. They probably appreciate good canned food just as much. If the case could be made that they actually liked gourmet homemade food better, I might make some of their meals, although I don't have a dog right now because we are in an apartment.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I use to cook chicken for my cat all the time. So I see nothing wrong with cooking a nice meal for your dog. Yes they are pets but they are pets with feelings and they give us so much. To reward them with something nice is the least we can do.LOL
@SmokePiff (436)
• United States
18 Aug 07
i think i t matters 2 the person that owns the dog. my dog eats table food and around the holiday's my dog gets a plate of her own. not sure y u think ur dog would of even had a problem wit eating the table food in 1st place. if u would of put it down im pretty sure u would of came back and it would of been gone
@Nanette99 (219)
• Canada
17 Aug 07
I think our idea and their idea of gourmet can be very diferent. Most commercial petfoods are very poor quality and I would never feed that stuff to my dog. I will "cook my dog dinner" in weekly batches. I use all organic, healthy ingredients and I leave out the sugar, salt, and chemicals. I also bake heatlhy treats because depends on me to help her live a long, happy, healthy life. I don't think I go overboard with my dog.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
17 Aug 07
Dogs do tend to like what their master eat I know my friend has to pretend that what she gives her little dog is the samr thing she is eating but I tend to think sometimes that what is in pet foods these days could very well have more of the nutritional needs of the dog, I don't think some human foods hurt a dog but gourmet cooking is going a little far.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
17 Aug 07
First of all, I don't agree that dogs are just pets. They are part of the family, at least to me. I don't think I would want to make them a gourmet meal all the time but I do give them special treats on occassion. They need the vitamins and stuff that is in their dog food but with all the recalls, people are afraid to feed that food to them so many people make their own food. And I think dogs do know when they are getting something special. And i think they deserve it now and then too.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
17 Aug 07
First of all, I don't agree that dogs are just pets. They are part of the family, at least to me. I don't think I would want to make them a gourmet meal all the time but I do give them special treats on occassion. They need the vitamins and stuff that is in their dog food but with all the recalls, people are afraid to feed that food to them so many people make their own food. And I think dogs do know when they are getting something special. And i think they deserve it now and then too.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I totally agree with you that dogs do not need those expensive foods! I think it's important for dogs to get HEALTHY foods but not GOURMET. There are plenty of healthy dog foods that give them everything they need without having to spend a lot of money.
A lot of people who have money tend to spoil themselves and go overboard when really they could help out a lot of people with that money. I'm not saying they can't give their dog the #1 dog food from Kroger, but they don't have to special order it from a restaurant.
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
17 Aug 07
NO never...!
Dog is a pet and treat it like pet please..!!
I once saw a saloon for dogs where dogs can get pedicures and manicures,get their hairs coloured and many more ...!
NOw that is really stupidity its ok to brush the mouth and bath the dog its just hygiene... as they live with us..!! But manicures and pediciures...duh a..!!
We can aslo get designer dress for dogs and hair clips and many more clothes..!!
And on the same side we don't have the money to cover the naked man sitting on the beggar street..!!
Now this is really wastage of money.
Some body please DO something..!!
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
17 Aug 07
My dogs (and cat for that matter) aren't "just pets." They are part of our family. Granted, they don't normally get to eat as well as the rest of the family, but they do get plenty of treats, as well as their own pet food.
I don't know that I would prepare a gourmet meal especially for my dogs, but I do give them some of what we are eating several times a week. They know that it's a special treat. And they really like it.
@kitty1234 (1476)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I know dogs like home cooked food, but some carry it to an extreme. eve animals deserve a special treat now and then but a steady diet of "people food" is unhealthy for them. I know most owners sneak their dogs table food and it is welcomed by the dogs!
