When choosing a dog food for your pup, there are many things to take into account. Like, a lot. Real benefits can be difficult to distinguish from marketing jargon. Human-grade dog foods are among the options that are most worthy of hype. But we did some research so you don’t have to—what does that term mean, and does it matter to your dog?
The regulations governing the production of human food are more stringent than those governing the production of pet food. Foods intended for human consumption will be made with higher-quality ingredients and pose a lower risk of contamination than those intended for pets if a manufacturer’s objective is to err on the side of legality.
The biggest issue with “human-grade” dog food is that it doesn’t specify whether the food is nutritionally complete and balanced. For instance, you might feed your dog a diet consisting of chicken, potatoes, and supplements that are of human-grade (as opposed to feed-grade) quality, but you can’t be certain that it will satisfy all of your dog’s nutritional needs without additional information.
When it comes to pet food, the term “human-grade” has not previously been clearly defined, but in 2018, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) attempted to resolve the ambiguity. The pet food industry’s advisory body, AAFCO, creates standards for pet food labels and ingredient definitions.
In spite of these explanations, some dog food producers may claim that their products are made with “human-grade ingredients.” This implies that even though some or all of their ingredients may have begun as being safe for consumption by humans, somewhere during the manufacturing, packing, and holding process, 21 CFR 110 standards were not followed, and the finished product cannot be marketed as “human-grade dog food. ”.
The FDA may soon start to pay attention to these types of violations now that clear guidelines are available, but pet parents must determine whether the distinction between human-grade dog foods and those made from human-grade ingredients is significant to them.
What Should I Look For in a Human-Grade Dog Food?
It’s all about ingredients and processes. It’s crucial to concentrate on a dog food brand’s ingredient list, quality control standards, and nutritional team. “It might not be the safest or best food to feed your dog if the brand does not provide sourcing information or information on veterinary formulation,” Dr. Ostermeier said. “If the food is balanced and formulated to meet AAFCO standards, it can be fed as your dog’s sole source of nutrition.” ”.
Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a veterinarian and PetMeds partner, said nutritionally complete dog foods contain an intentional mix of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. “Look for statements on the packaging along the lines of ‘meets nutritional requirements of dogs established by AAFCO’ or ‘complete and balanced nutrition for dogs based on AAFCO feeding trials.’”
When checking out ingredient lists, Dr. Linda Simon, who is part of Pawleaks Modern Dog Training’s veterinary consult team, advised reading through an “edible” lens. “Ingredients used in these recipes should be fresh and wholesome, mimicking what you or I might eat. This can include meat (rather than meat and bone meal), grains, legumes, fruits and veggies… The foods should not contain fillers, artificial colors, preservatives or similar ‘bad’ ingredients.”
Dr. In order to ensure a dog food brand is of the highest caliber, Whittenburg advised dog owners to check that it has been “formulated by a board certified veterinary nutritionist and feed trial tested.” All veterinarians concur that the first ingredient should be meat or a high-protein ingredient.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Human-Grade Dog Food?
The main advantages of human-grade dog food are increased nutrient intake, improved digestion, and hydration. “Gently cooked human-grade food or whole food can provide a high level of nutrients and hydration for your dog,” says Dr Ostermeier. Additionally, compared to kibble or canned food, human-grade dog food is processed much less. (Technically, cooking counts as processing. Most human-grade brands state their meals are minimally processed. ).
JustFoodForDogs, a human-grade brand, organized a study to compare their menu to commercial kibble. The results indicate their formulas were “up to 40 percent more digestible” compared to dry food. Dogs in the study also absorbed more nutrients when they ate JustFoodForDogs meals.
To ensure your dog consumes plenty of the good stuff, human-grade food can also be used as a supplement to a feed-grade diet. Say your pup requires a prescription commercial dry food. You can feed her a variety of fruits and vegetables to supplement her diet with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while still following the prescription. (Obviously check with your vet before trying this!).
FAQ
What kind of dog food so vets recommend?
- Royal Canin.
- Hills Science Diet.
- Purina ProPlan.
- Eukanuba.
What are the benefits of human grade pet food?
High quality ingredients used in human-grade food help create a strong immune system and increased vitality. After switching to a fresh, human-grade diet, even senior dogs exhibit increased playfulness and range of motion.
What is the healthiest type of dog food?
- Blue Buffalo. …
- Merrick Grain-Free Food. …
- Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal Feast. …
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie. …
- CANIDAE All Life Stages. …
- Diamond Naturals. …
- CANIDAE Wet Food. …
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet.