The History of Dog Food

THE HISTORY OF DOG FOOD

Dogs have been man's best friend for over 2000 years. So what did we feed dogs before the days of cans and kibble?

What Did Dogs Used To Eat?

Well, dogs ate pretty much what we ate. Meats, veggies, fruits, bread and anything they could find outside.

In medieval times, royal dogs lived in posh kennels and were fed a rich stew of lungs, livers, grains and vegetables. These were hard times and feeding dogs quality food was hard for most people as they could barely feed themselves.

Domesticated dogs became status symbol and the lower class started re-purposing horse meat and selling it as dog food to wealthy dog owners.

As society progressed and more people started keeping domesticated dogs as pets, owners began paying more attention to their dogs' food and their health.

Veterinary medicine was officially founded in the U.S. in 1895. and shortly after, self-proclaimed experts in the field began proposing that only uncivilized, wild dogs eat raw meat.

James Spratt started marketing his baked dog biscuits as affordable and convenient with a long shelf life. Many others followed soon, flooding the market with mass produced, cheap and easy pet food.

By 1930, canned pet food became the most popular option for pet parents and by 1941 farmers were breeding horses just for dog food (which also came with a government stamp of approval!)

During World War 2, tin for dog food cans became scarce. Pet food manufacturers turned to dry food, mainly made up of starches. Purina experimented with equipment used to make cereal...and created Dog Chow. It quickly became the #1 dog food in the nation.

Marketing campaigns after the war still pushed the notion that commercial dog food was the only good option, even demonizing raw food and table scraps.

Now in the 21st century, many people are seeing what a convenient, modern diet is doing to us with the rise of obesity and illness. Likewise, they're noticing the effects that GMO grains, preservatives, and fillers are having on our dogs.

If you look back through history and line up the results of the dog food industry and pet wellness side by side, you can't help but wonder if we were feeding our dogs the right way before history took its toll.

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Here's What Pet Parents Who Use

Feed Me Are Saying...

Here's What Pet Parents Who Use Feed Me Are Saying...

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I was searching for a dog food that my Collie would actually get excited about eating again. He's 12 and has started to slow down and indifference to meals was causing me alarm. I discovered that the previous boutique dog food I had been feeding him had actually been depriving him of essential nutrients and his coat and muscle weakness was the result of the wrong diet.

I switched to TruDog and he LOVES eating again, his coat is shiny, his energy level is almost back to normal . . .I am so happy I found TruDog. They deliver quickly, are affordable, have a wide variety of food options and are easy to prepare. I wholeheartedly recommend TruDog foods and just wish I had found you sooner! My Collie does, too!"

- Karen D.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"My dog will not eat any kind of dog food. He is very picky...but he will eat dog poop. Since introducing him to the Feed Me raw food, he loves it and isn't interested in eating dog poop any more! My dog will be 2 years old in June. He is a pure breed Shih Tzu. I have tried MANY kinds of food since he was a puppy. I am so glad that I decided to try this food."

- Cherie M.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

- Cherie M.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"My vet put my new pup on the best "prescription food". He explained how this food was better than the normal stuff you buy in the pet store. She really doesn't like it though. So I gave her TruDog treats and she loves them. She loves the chews. She loves the Boost Me. I finally broke down and got her the Feed Me. I mixed in with her regular food and she picks out all of the Feed Me. She gobbles it up. She has a LOT of energy and looks great! My little Malshi is spectacular. Thank you TruDog!"

- Janet I.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My 1.5 yr old dog had skin issues and we had put her through so much to help her. From the high end foods to meds and nothing worked. I saw an add for TruDog and fig why not. Within less then a 2 days her skin was a million times better!

Fast forward now 2 months we now have a second pup who is 17 weeks. I of course started him right on with this food and he loved it. My vet told me I should only feed him puppy food and that he could be not getting enough from this food. Ah! New mommy worries set in. So of course I ran out did my homework and tried to get a bag of the best “puppy” food I could. Huge name brand blah blah... he hated it! Not only did he hate it he got sick from it.

This grain free well known food had him vomiting, dry heaving, and very loose poops. I gave him 2 weeks on the food to adjust and it got a bit better but never great. He now won’t even touch the food and is far too thin. So I put him back onto TruDog, he has been happy, putting healthy weight on, and his poop is solid! No more sick baby in my home.

My point is vets aren’t trained for raw food diets. If you have concerns talk to a nutritional expert for animals on it not your vet! Never going back to kibble for my babies again!"

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My point is vets aren’t trained for raw food diets. If you have concerns talk to a nutritional expert for animals on it not your vet! Never going back to kibble for my babies again!"

Help Your Pup Thrive

And Save Up To 25%

Help Your Pup Thrive And Save Up To 25%