During WWII, pet owners, especially cat and dog owners, were recommended to have their pets put down, due to shortages of food for them. Many tens of thousands were 'put to sleep'. Other owners though, refused, deciding that their dogs would eat scraps from their meals.
I think probably dogs are easier to feed this way but who knows. I know fishmongers offered fish heads for cats. Dogs ate water based porridge for breakfast, crusts from bread dried in the oven to make into rusks for them to chew on, leftover potatoes, vegetables and meat based gravy. Occasionally, they got scraps of meat fat and gristle whilst food was being prepared.
So many pets are being abandoned today when many could eat like this if necessary. Shelters are getting overwhelmed and many people simply turf them out or abandon them in woods to fend for themselves. Shameful.
We are giving to the food bank each week now, making sure we read online what they actually need. We have joined Age Concern lotto. Occasionally I will help animal shelters with food donation.
Money is tight for most people yet sometimes you wouldn't think so. People still seem to be coming out of shops with armful of carrier bags of clothes and other items.
If DS and family request help, of any kind, we will offer it. It could be as a loan or an outright 'gift' of food or money.
All of us are finding money not going as far as it once did. Luckily they have always had a good work ethic and budgeting minds. They have always tried to save, but things are likely to get far worse for us all than they are currently.
Better for everyone to face that reality than stick our heads in the sand. Keep stocking up if able!