Let Them Eat Steak

I’m probably the world’s weirdest vegetarian. I don’t have a clear reason for not eating meat, I just never have, even when I was kid. Since I’ve never had it, I don’t miss it and I don’t crave it. The only time I’m ever really tempted to try meat is when I give my beagles their chicken jerky treats. Selling points include the smell, the texture, and the beagles’ insane enthusiasm from the time I crack open the pantry door (they even ran over to me as I typed this). I’m probably not the only person to be enticed by some of the modern (and wildly expensive) foods being peddled to our pets these days. But are these so-called human-grade meals really any better for your pets? “Human-grade ingredients are ‘stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant’ with human food, meaning the factory or kitchen is licensed to produce food for both humans and animals … ‘this does not translate to improved health benefits, or mean that the ingredients are actually better for your pet.'” Of course, your pet isn’t pretending to love you because they find their snack nutritious (any more than your children are). WaPo (Gift Article): Fancy, ‘human-grade’ dog foods are all the rage. Are they healthier?

+ The broader story about fancier feasts for your pet is about the growing economic divide and the fact that many pets eat better than people. Even food that’s barely human grade is getting more and more expensive. Are $18 Big Mac meals the price of falling inequality?