Vet-Verified: 7 Surprising Facts That Transformed Dog Food History

For thousands of years, dogs lived off human scraps, bones, and foraged leftovers. The idea of feeding them specially formulated dog food is a surprisingly recent development. In just the last 100 years, commercial dog food has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry that shapes modern canine nutrition.

The history of dog food is deeply intertwined with human events, from the Industrial Revolution to wartime shortages and the rise of modern marketing. These surprising shifts help explain today’s debates around canine nutrition and the ingredients we trust.

In this article, you'll uncover the most fascinating and little-known facts about how dog food evolved from scraps to science. From surprising industry origins to eye-opening nutritional shifts, these insights reveal how history shaped what we feed our dogs today.

#1. Before Commercial Dog Food: Diets of Elite and Common Dogs

Before the mid-1800s, most dogs served practical roles as hunters, herders, or guardians, not household pets. Their diets reflected their status, consisting mainly of table scraps like potatoes, cabbage, and bread crusts that families didn’t eat.

In the pre-commercial era, a dog’s diet often reflected the wealth of its owner. While working-class dogs survived on scraps, elite pets dined on lavish meals. European royalty and Empress Tzu Hsi of China famously fed their dogs delicacies like roast duck, candies, shark fins, and even antelope milk. 

In ancient Rome, dogs were fed based on their roles. Farm dogs ate simple meals like barley bread soaked in milk, reflecting their utilitarian purpose. In contrast, Roman war dogs were given raw meat and garlic, believed to enhance their strength, endurance, and combat readiness.

#2. The Birth of Commercial Dog Food (Mid-1800s)

In 1860, American businessman James Spratt, originally a lightning rod salesman, introduced the world’s first commercial dry dog food. Inspired by shipyard dogs eating leftover biscuits, Spratt created a shelf-stable product that launched the pet food industry.

Spratt got the idea for dog food while watching dogs at the London docks eat discarded hardtack biscuits tossed by sailors. Made of flour, water, and salt, these ship rations inspired him to develop the first dry, packaged dog food.

Spratt named his product the "Patented Meat Fibrine Dog Cake," a wheat-based biscuit blended with vegetables, beetroot, and beef blood. It was designed to be a complete, shelf-stable meal for dogs. Initially, Spratt marketed it to wealthy English gentlemen, targeting owners of sporting and hunting dogs.

#3. The Golden Age of Processed Dog Food (1920s–1950s)

In 1922, "Ken-L Ration" became the first canned dog food to hit the market, marking a major shift in canine nutrition. Made primarily from horse meat, it shocked some consumers but quickly gained popularity for its convenience and protein content.

Ken-L Ration was primarily made from horse meat, a cost-effective protein source at the time. By 1941, demand had soared so high that producers were breeding and slaughtering over 50,000 horses annually solely for dog food.

During World War II, tin and meat were rationed and classified as "non-essential" for pets, making canned dog food unsustainable. This shortage led to a resurgence of dry dog food and set the stage for the rise of kibble.

In 1956, Purina launched the first dry kibble made using extrusion technology, revolutionizing pet food production. Borrowed from the breakfast cereal industry, this method cooked and shaped dog food into shelf-stable, bite-sized pieces. The process also allowed manufacturers to use inexpensive agricultural scraps and by-products, making production more cost-effective.

The 1960s marked a shift toward tailored nutrition with the introduction of puppy-specific dog food, reflecting new insights into life-stage dietary needs. By the mid-1980s, the U.S. National Research Council published the first official nutritional guidelines for dogs and cats, setting industry standards.

#4. The Marketing War on Feeding Dogs “People Food”

In 1964, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) launched a nationwide campaign to position commercial dog food as the only safe and healthy option. Backed by industry lobbying, the message aimed to discourage feeding dogs table scraps or homemade meals.

To support its message, the Pet Food Institute funded studies, placed articles in magazines like Good Housekeeping and Redbook, and distributed radio scripts warning of the “dangers of table scraps.” This widespread campaign successfully shaped public perception, cementing the belief that feeding dogs “people food” is harmful.

By the 1970s, industry analysts predicted a shift toward “humanized” pet foods that mimicked the look and feel of human meals. Brands began producing hamburger-style patties with grill marks, chunky stews, and brightly colored kibble to appeal to pet owners. This trend reflected changing attitudes toward dogs as family members, not just animals.

#5. From Kibble to Raw: Modern Challenges and the Return to Natural Dog Diets

Modern kibble, made through cost-efficient extrusion, is a staple of mass-produced dog food. However, it’s often high in carbohydrates, a stark contrast to the high-protein, high-fat diet dogs evolved to eat. This biological mismatch, rooted in their wolf ancestry, has sparked growing concerns among pet owners and nutritionists.

While high-temperature extrusion (HTST) helps sterilize kibble during production, safety concerns persist. Contamination by pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli continues to pose risks in both dry and raw dog foods.

Experts believe most contamination occurs after the primary cooking step, during post-processing. This stage, when fats, flavors, and heat-sensitive nutrients are sprayed onto sterile kibble, can reintroduce harmful pathogens.

Today’s pet owners are driving demand for healthier, less processed dog food options. Complete and balanced raw diets, freeze-dried meals, and fresh food alternatives are gaining popularity as consumers seek to align pet nutrition with evolutionary needs. This shift mirrors a broader human movement toward whole, natural foods and mindful eating.

#6. Raw Diets for Dogs Are Back (Here's How to Do Them Safely)

Raw diets for dogs are gaining traction as owners look for natural, biologically appropriate nutrition. Modeled after ancestral canine diets, these meals typically include raw meat, bones, organs, and small amounts of vegetables or fruit.

Raw feeding may support better digestion, healthier coats, and increased vitality in dogs, but it must be properly balanced to be safe and effective. Without careful formulation and handling, raw diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies or expose pets to harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

To feed a raw diet safely, consult with a veterinary nutritionist or use complete, commercially prepared raw formulas. Proper storage, sanitation, and sourcing are essential to protect both your dog’s health and your household.

#7. Why Even High-Quality Dog Food May Cause Digestive Problems

Did you know that even the most modern or premium dog foods can still trigger digestive issues in some pets due to sensitivities or ingredient imbalances? That’s where a natural supplement like Zumalka’s TUMMYPET can help support gut health and promote better digestion.

Even with high-quality dog food, digestive issues like bloating, gas, or irregular stools can still occur, especially in sensitive pets. That’s why more pet owners are turning to natural digestive support, such as TUMMYPET, as part of their dog’s wellness routine.

Zumalka’s TUMMYPET is a premium, plant-based probiotic designed to promote a healthy gut and balanced digestion. Made without harsh chemicals or artificial additives, it’s a gentle, holistic option for dogs needing extra support for their digestive and immune systems.

Key Takeaways

The history of dog food reveals a dramatic evolution, from humble table scraps to commercial innovations like Spratt’s biscuits, the horsemeat boom, and mass-produced kibble. Driven by convenience and powerful marketing, these shifts continue to shape how we feed our dogs today.

The evolution of dog food has been shaped more by human priorities, convenience, industrial efficiency, and shifting cultural values than by the biological needs of dogs. Understanding this history empowers pet owners to make more informed, health-conscious choices for their companions today.

By understanding the history of dog food, you’re better equipped to choose what truly supports your pet’s health and well-being. Let this knowledge guide you in making informed, thoughtful decisions about your dog’s nutrition in today’s complex pet food landscape.

FAQs

What did dogs eat before commercial dog food was invented?

Before the mid-1800s, dogs primarily ate table scraps, such as bread crusts, potatoes, and cabbage, which were leftovers from the family's meals. For thousands of years, dogs generally ate diets similar to those of their human companions. 

However, diet quality depended heavily on the owner's wealth: commoners’ dogs ate meager leftovers, while European royalty and elite figures, such as Empress Tzu His of China, fed their dogs lavish meals, including shark fins, roast duck, and antelope milk.

Who invented the very first commercial dry dog food, and when?

The first commercial dry pet food was invented in 1860 by American businessman James Spratt in London. Spratt, who was originally a lightning rod salesman, got the idea after seeing dogs at the London docks eating leftover, shelf-stable hardtack biscuits. His product, called the "Patented Meat Fibrine Dog Cake," was a wheat-based biscuit that contained vegetables, beetroot, and beef blood.

What shocking ingredient was the main component of the first canned dog food?

The first wet canned dog food, introduced in 1922 and known as "Ken-L Ration," was primarily made from horsemeat. The product was so successful that by 1941, canned food held a 90% share of the dog food market. Producers had to breed and slaughter as many as 50,000 horses a year specifically to meet the high demand for this canned dog food.

When and how was modern dry kibble first mass-produced?

Modern dry kibble, in the form we recognize today, was first produced using extrusion technology in the mid-1950s (specifically 1956) by Purina. Extrusion is a High Temperature, Short Time (HTST) manufacturing process originally used for creating shelf-stable human breakfast cereals. 

This process involves cooking ingredients under extreme pressure and heat, then forcing the dough through a die-cut machine to form uniform shapes. The shift back to dry food was heavily influenced by the rationing of tin and meat during World War II.

What campaign convinced owners to stop feeding dogs table scraps?

In 1964, the Pet Food Institute (PFI), a lobbying group for the burgeoning commercial industry, launched an aggressive marketing campaign to convince consumers that only packaged food was the correct choice. 

The PFI viewed table scraps as their "biggest competitor." They funded reports, provided magazine articles to publications like Good Housekeeping and Redbook, and distributed radio scripts warning the public about the "dangers of table scraps."

Why do modern nutrition experts criticize carbohydrate-heavy kibble?

Modern kibble often relies heavily on grains and carbohydrates because they are cost-efficient and are necessary to bind ingredients during the extrusion process. However, this composition often contradicts the biological and evolutionary requirements of dogs. Dogs evolved from wolf ancestors and retain a genetic and physiological preference for diets that are high in protein and fat.

Does the high-heat kibble production process eliminate all safety risks?

While the extrusion process uses high temperatures (typically 110–150°C), which render the product sterile and free of microorganisms, pet food recalls related to pathogenic organisms remain a concern. 

The majority of bacterial contamination, including organisms like Salmonella and Listeria, is hypothesized to occur after the primary cooking and drying step. This risk increases when fats, flavors, and heat-sensitive nutrients are sprayed onto the sterile kibble during the cooling phase.

What major shift is happening in the pet food market today?

Today, there is a clear trend away from processed, shelf-stable kibble and a return toward healthier, less processed diets. This movement parallels human trends toward consuming whole, fresh foods and acknowledges that dogs’ health issues (such as rising obesity rates and diseases) may mirror our own poor dietary conditions. 

Consequently, there is a rising demand for complete and balanced raw diets, fresh foods, and specialty options, with owners seeking diets that honor their pets' evolutionary needs.

About the author

Suzie Cyrenne

HOMEOPATH & CO-FOUNDER OF ZUMALKA

Suzie Cyrenne has dedicated more than 20 years of her life in making and improving natural animal health solutions in the global setting.

Being the co-founder of Zumalka, Suzie is a forerunner in enhancing the lives of pets through natural and homeopathic options using the knowledge she has gained from the Classical Homeopathy School in Quebec.

Through the guidance of her mother-in-law and fellow natural health expert, Denyse Lessard, Suzie constantly devotes herself to create premium pet products that are aimed at dealing with the root causes of wellness problems and not just their symptoms.

Besides immersing herself in books, personal development and visiting new places, Suzie also enjoys keeping herself in tiptop shape by snowboarding and taking daily hikes with her husband and Zumalka co-founder, Matt Lessard, and their Golden-Doodle, Westin.

Find out more about Suzie when you click HERE.