DOG vs. SUV

[2dumb2kwit]

Robert and Brenda Vale, two sustainable-living researchers from New Zealand, authored the study, which was reviewed in the New Scientist. Their conclusions are based on the amount of resources expended to feed household pets - in a medium-sized dog's case it takes slightly more than 2 acres of land to produce the roughly 360 pounds of meat and 210 pounds of grain they consume each year.

In contrast, less than half that amount of land would be required to produce the energy to power an SUV driven a modest 10,000 miles a year, according to the study.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/11/05/cbsnews-com-dogs-are-killing-planet

[finallyME]

They don't show what meat source they are using. I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers changed in favor of dogs, if they used rabbits as the meat source.

[DOGMAN]

Most commerical dog food sold is composed mainly of corn and chicken by-products. To my knowledge none of its grown specifically for dogs...dogs get the waste products associated with human food production.

There are smaller dog food companies that use higher quality ingredients, but in general it is still not food that was for human consumption. The niche market of "super premium" quality dog food out there, still is not truly fit for humans.

I have worked closely with two different dog food companies developing high powered formulas, and they are always discussing the bottom line...and the bottom line is dogs get our scraps. So, I don't really agree with the little I have heard about this study.

[ClayPick]

There goes my carbon footprint, shot to hell.

[Winnie]

I suppose if you're going to assume that the dog gets the whole (farmed) animal, then I think it would be about right. But as Jason pointed out most commercial dog food uses the bits folk won't eat or is unfit for human consumption, so the math is way off.

Back in the day when I had my dogs, the Greyhound and Whippet caught their own dinner most of the time and when they didn't I'd buy them offal (mainly heart and lights) and feed it raw. Never trusted ready made dog food. Treats came in the form of homemade bread toasted and spread with a bit of Marmite (the Greyhound would do anything for Marmite on toast!)

[canid]

they aren't talking about the meat in the food, but the grain.

[DOGMAN]

they aren't talking about the meat in the food, but the grain.

Then why does the original post mention the 360 pounds of meat?
Also, even the corn and grains that go into pet food arent first quality....

[Rick]

Not being a farmer, I don't know. Can you actually raise 360 pounds of meat and 210 pounds of grain on 2 acres of land? I would think the meat would be doable but 210 pounds of grain is a lot of grain. Depends on moisture content I guess.