From Horse Meat to Plant-Based: The Surprising Evolution of Dog Food

 

In recent years, pet owners have become increasingly conscious about their dogs' nutrition. Many now opt for premium, organic, or even human-grade food for their canine companions. However, the history of commercial dog food is far from the polished image we see today. This article explores the sometimes unsettling past of canine nutrition and examines the modern challenges and promising solutions in this industry.

The Early Days: Utilizing Available Resources

The concept of commercial dog food is relatively new, emerging in the mid-19th century. Prior to this, dogs typically consumed table scraps or foraged for food. The first commercial dog foods were often made from ingredients that were considered unfit for human consumption[1].

As noted by pet food historian Katharine C. Grier, "Before the 1930s, pet food was a luxury item. Most people fed their dogs and cats table scraps... Commercial pet food began with dried biscuits and expanded to include canned wet food in the 1920s."[2]

Horse Meat: A Primary Protein Source

One of the most common ingredients in early commercial dog food was horse meat. In the early 20th century, as horses were being replaced by automobiles, there was an abundance of horse meat available. Companies saw an opportunity to use this meat source in pet food, marketing it as a nutritious option for dogs[3].

Grier further explains, "The pet food industry began with an overabundance of horse meat. Horses were ubiquitous in 19th-century cities... When horses died, their carcasses had to be disposed of quickly and cheaply."[3]

A 1922 advertisement for Ken-L Ration, one of the first commercial dog foods, proudly proclaimed: "Ken-L Ration is a wholesome, nourishing food that will keep your dog in perfect condition. It is made from government-inspected horse meat."[4]

Repurposing Undesirable Animal Products

Perhaps more concerning was the practice of using meat from diseased or dying animals in dog food. Slaughterhouses would often sell animals deemed unfit for human consumption to pet food manufacturers. This practice, while economically efficient, raised serious questions about the quality and safety of early commercial dog foods[5].

Dr. Marion Nestle, a renowned food studies scholar, describes the situation:

"By the 1930s, the pet food industry had become a convenient dumping ground for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered unfit for humans, and meat from dying, diseased, or disabled farm animals." [5]

The Changing Role of Dogs in Society

As time progressed, the relationship between humans and dogs evolved significantly. Dogs transitioned from being primarily working animals or outdoor pets to becoming integral members of the household[6].

From Outdoor Animals to Indoor Companions

In many households, dogs moved from sleeping in outdoor kennels to having their own beds indoors – or even sharing their owners' beds. This shift in living arrangements reflected a deeper change in how we view our canine companions[7].

Anthropologist Jon Mooallem observes, "In the 1800s, dogs were still thought of as servants, and it was not uncommon for them to be chained up outside. By the 1940s, however, they had been welcomed into the home and were increasingly regarded as family members."[8]

The Concept of Dogs as Family Members

The notion of dogs as family members gained traction, with many pet owners treating their dogs with a level of care previously reserved for children. This anthropomorphization of pets led to a desire to provide them with the highest quality of life possible – including their diet[9].

A 2016 study in the Journal of Animal Science reported, "In a survey of American pet owners, 95% of respondents considered their pets to be members of the family."[10]

The Modern Dilemma: Premium Diets and Their Consequences

As dogs' status in the household elevated, so did the quality (and price) of their food. Many pet owners now feed their dogs diets that rival or even surpass their own in terms of quality and cost[11].

The Push for Human-Grade Ingredients

Today's premium dog foods often boast human-grade meats, organic vegetables, and even superfoods. While this seems like a positive development, it comes with its own set of challenges[12].

A representative from a leading pet food company stated in a 2018 interview, "We're seeing a clear trend towards humanization in pet food. Pet owners want to feed their dogs the same quality of food they'd eat themselves."[13]

The Environmental Impact

The production of high-quality animal protein for dog food puts additional strain on already taxed agricultural systems. As more pet owners opt for fresh or frozen meat-based diets for their dogs, the environmental impact grows. The carbon footprint of pet food production, particularly those with high meat content, is substantial and contributes to climate change[14].

A 2017 study in PLOS ONE found that "In the US, dogs and cats consume about 19% ± 2% of the amount of dietary energy that humans do and 33% ± 9% of the animal-derived energy."[15]

Animal Welfare Considerations

The increased demand for premium animal proteins in pet food also raises ethical questions about animal welfare. As pet food competes with human food for quality meat sources, it can lead to more intensive farming practices and potentially greater animal suffering[16].

Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and pet nutrition expert, warns, "The push for human-grade ingredients in pet food is inadvertently increasing demand for factory-farmed animals, which raises significant ethical concerns."[17]

Finding a Balance: The Promise of Plant-Based Diets

While it's understandable to want the best for our pets, it's crucial to consider the broader implications of our choices. As responsible pet owners and global citizens, we need to find a balance between providing nutritious food for our dogs and minimizing the environmental and ethical impacts of our decisions. Fortunately, a promising solution lies in plant-based diets for dogs.

The Potential of Plant-Based Dog Food

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not obligate carnivores but omnivores, capable of thriving on a properly formulated plant-based diet. Dr. Andrew Knight, a veterinary professor at the University of Winchester, states: "Dogs can meet all their nutritional requirements on plant-based diets, and these diets have been associated with benefits such as improved coat condition, allergy control, weight control, increased overall health and vitality, arthritis regression, and improved diabetic control."[18]

Environmental Benefits

Plant-based dog foods offer a dramatically reduced environmental footprint compared to meat-based alternatives. A 2022 study published in the journal "Scientific Reports" found that nutritionally sound plant-based diets for dogs and cats could reduce the carbon emissions associated with pet food by up to 75%[19].

Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and sustainability advocate, emphasizes: "Shifting towards plant-based diets for our pets is one of the most impactful ways we can reduce our pets' environmental pawprint while still ensuring they receive complete and balanced nutrition."[20]

Ethical Considerations

By opting for plant-based dog foods, pet owners can significantly reduce the number of animals used in pet food production. This aligns with the growing ethical concerns many have about animal welfare in the food industry.

As noted by the Plant Based Foods Association, "The rise of plant-based pet foods represents a win-win situation: better for animals, better for the planet, and when properly formulated, great for our pets' health."[21]

The Way Forward

The future of dog nutrition lies in scientifically formulated, complete, and balanced plant-based diets that meet all of our canine companions' nutritional needs while dramatically reducing the burden on the Earth and animals. As pet food companies continue to innovate in this space, we can look forward to more sustainable, ethical, and healthy options for our dogs.

By embracing these advancements, we can ensure that our love for our pets doesn't come at the cost of our planet or other animals. As we continue to evolve our relationship with our canine companions, so too must we evolve our approach to feeding them – for their health, for animal welfare, and for the planet's sustainability.

References

[1] Case, L. P. (2014). Dog food logic: Making smart decisions for your dog in an age of too many choices. Dogwise Publishing.

[2] Grier, K. C. (2006). Pets in America: A History. University of North Carolina Press.

[3] Grier, K. C. (2006). Pets in America: A History. University of North Carolina Press.

[4] Ken-L Ration Advertisement. (1922). Good Housekeeping Magazine.

[5] Nestle, M., & Nesheim, M. C. (2010). Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat. Free Press.

[6] Serpell, J. (2016). The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People. Cambridge University Press.

[7] Hoffman, C. L., et al. (2018). "Dog-human behavioral synchronization: Family dogs synchronize their behavior with child family members." PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0195448.

[8] Mooallem, J. (2017). Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America. Penguin Books.

[9] Vänskä, A. (2016). "'Cause I wuv you!' Pet dog fashion and emotional consumption." Ephemera, 16(4), 75-97.

[10] Bir, C., Widmar, N. J. O., & Croney, C. C. (2017). "Stated preferences for dog characteristics and sources of acquisition." Animals, 7(8), 59.

[11] Schleicher, M., et al. (2019). "Attitudes of Dog Owners to the Use of Different Kinds of Dog Food." Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 32, 655-667.

[12] Dodd, S. A. S., et al. (2020). "An exploratory study of domestic dogs' compliance with dietary advice given by veterinarians." Journal of Small Animal Practice, 61(1), 54-63.

[13] Pet Food Industry. (2018). "Premium pet food trends: From human-grade to raw and beyond." PetfoodIndustry.com.

[14] Alexander, P., et al. (2020). "The global environmental paw print of pet food." Global Environmental Change, 65, 102153.

[15] Okin, G. S. (2017). "Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats." PLoS ONE, 12(8), e0181301.

[16] Su, B., & Martens, P. (2018). "Environmental impacts of food consumption by companion dogs and cats in Japan." Ecological Indicators, 93, 1043-1049.

[17] Ward, E. (2019). The Clean Pet Food Revolution: How Better Pet Food Will Change the World. Lantern Books.

[18] Knight, A., & Leitsberger, M. (2016). "Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals." Animals, 6(9), 57.

[19] Martens, P., Su, B., & Deblomme, S. (2022). "The ecological paw print of companion dogs and cats." Scientific Reports, 12, 9302.

[20] Ward, E. (2021). "The Sustainability of Pet Food." Today's Veterinary Practice, 11(2), 71-74.

[21] Plant Based Foods Association. (2023). "The Rise of Plant-Based Pet Foods." PBFA.org.