History of Horse Meat in Dog Food
Horse meat became a common ingredient in commercial dog food in the United States in the early 1920s. According to an article on Steve’s Real Food, during World War I there was a surplus of horses as they were replaced by vehicles for transportation and farming work. This led to the opening of pet food companies by slaughterhouses as a way to profitably dispose of horse meat (Source).
An article on CBS News notes that prior to the 1920s, scraps and leftovers were commonly used to feed dogs. However, the increased availability of horse meat led to its widespread use by pet food manufacturers as a cheaper alternative to beef or other meats (Source). Horse meat became one of the primary ingredients used in commercial dog food in the U.S. during this time.
Nutritional Value
Horse meat is rich in important nutrients that are beneficial for dogs. According to one study, horse meat contains around 21% protein, which is comparable to beef or pork (Lee, 2007). However, horse meat is much lower in fat, containing around 6% fat compared to 14-16% in beef and pork.
The protein in horse meat contains essential amino acids like lysine and leucine that support muscle growth and maintenance. The meat is also a good source of iron, zinc, selenium and vitamin B12. These nutrients contribute to a healthy immune system, energy levels and red blood cell formation.
Overall, the high protein and low fat content makes horse meat a healthy option to feed dogs. It provides high quality nutrition without excess calories from fat. This lean protein source supports canine health in line with a dog’s evolutionary diet.
Cite: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882581/
Controversy and Bans
The use of horse meat in dog food has stirred much controversy and debate over ethics. Many pet owners view horses as companion animals, similar to dogs and cats, and thus find it unacceptable to slaughter horses for food. There are concerns that using horse meat normalizes the practice and increases demand for horse slaughter.
In 2013, the discovery of undeclared horse meat in several brands of dog food in Europe caused outrage and led Nestle Purina and other major brands to halt the use of horse meat across all global markets (CBS News). Public pressure and shifting attitudes contributed to additional brands voluntarily removing horse meat from their recipes.
Today, the majority of commercial dog foods sold in the US and Europe no longer contain horse meat. Using horse meat remains legal in some countries, like Mexico, but most major pet food companies avoid it due to ethical concerns and public perception. However, some small and specialty brands continue to include it. Overall, the industry has moved away from horse meat amidst greater societal discomfort with horses being slaughtered for dog food.
Major Brands Using Horse Meat
In the past, some major pet food brands were found to contain horse meat, sparking backlash and controversy. However, today, most major brands in the United States and Europe avoid horse meat due to regulations and changing consumer preferences.
According to the Equine Protection Network, pet food companies in the United States cannot legally use horse meat in dog food [1]. Major brands like Purina, Iams, and Pedigree do not include horse meat and market their products as made with chicken, beef, or fish.
In 2013, Nestle recalled some of its beef pasta meals in Europe after DNA tests found they contained up to 100% horse meat [2]. However, Nestle no longer uses horse meat in its pet food products.
While some smaller or foreign brands may still contain horse meat, the majority of major pet food brands avoid it today due to changing regulations and ethics around horse slaughter and consumption.
Regulations by Country
The use of horse meat in pet food is regulated differently across countries. In many European nations like Belgium, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan, horse meat is commonly consumed by humans and allowed in pet food. According to Wikipedia, horse meat is considered a delicacy in many European countries.
However, horse meat has been banned for use in pet food in the United States since the 1970s, according to the Equine Protection Network. The use of horse meat is also prohibited in pet food in Mexico, Japan, Germany, Indonesia, and China. Public perception and cultural taboos against eating horses make horse meat controversial for pet food in these countries.
The regulations banning horse meat often arose from concerns about the human consumption of pet food containing horse meat. Overall, the use of horse meat remains allowed in pet food in many European nations where horse is eaten by people, while prohibited in countries like the US where eating horse meat goes against cultural norms.
Sourcing of Horse Meat
In countries where horse meat is allowed in pet food, the sources of the horse meat vary. According to the Equine Protection Network, some of the horse meat comes from stolen pets or discarded racing and rodeo horses that are sold at auctions. Other sources include wild horses that are rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management. There are also horses specifically bred and raised for their meat.
The majority of horse meat used in pet food comes from Canada and Mexico. In Canada, most of it comes from Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan where there are horse slaughter plants. In Mexico, there are foreign-owned plants that import horses from the US for slaughter and export of the meat. According to the Equine Protection Network, over 100,000 horses from the US are slaughtered annually in Canada and Mexico.
The US banned horse slaughter in 2007, but the ban was lifted in 2011. Currently there are no horse slaughter plants operating in the US, but thousands of horses are still exported to Canada and Mexico each year. So while no horse meat is sourced from the US, American horses do end up in pet food through slaughter in other countries.
Alternatives for Dog Food Protein
With concerns over the ethics, safety and nutritional value of horse meat, many pet food companies have switched to using other animal and plant-based proteins in dog food recipes. Some popular alternatives to horse meat include:
Fish – Fish like salmon and tuna are excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. According to ThatMutt.com, fish ingredients are often found in high-quality dog foods.
Chicken – Chicken is a lean source of protein for dogs and a common ingredient in many dog foods. Chicken meal provides concentrated protein.
Lamb – Lamb is an easily digestible red meat protein for dogs. Many dog foods feature lamb meal as a key ingredient.
Beef – Lean beef and beef meal offer dogs high-quality protein. Beef is a good option for dogs with allergies to other meat proteins.
Duck – Duck provides protein and fat, making it a rich ingredient. Duck meal and fat are found in some grain-free and limited ingredient dog foods.
Pork – Pork can provide dogs with protein, fat and key nutrients. Some pet owners avoid pork due to concerns over trichinosis, but the risk from commercial pet food is very low.
Game meats like bison, venison and rabbit are also sometimes included in dog foods as novel protein sources.
In addition to animal proteins, many dog foods utilize plant-based proteins like peas and legumes. They offer vegetarian protein options without the same ethical concerns as horse meat.
Expert Opinions
Veterinarians have mixed opinions on the use of horse meat in dog food. Some vets cite the high protein and iron content of horse meat as potential benefits. According to Dr. Karen Becker, “Horse meat contains more protein and less fat compared to other red meats like beef or lamb…The iron in horse meat is also easily absorbed by a dog’s digestive system” (https://www.thatmutt.com/is-there-horse-meat-in-dog-food/).
However, other vets note concerns about the sourcing and quality of horse meat used in pet food. Dr. Jean Hofve states “The biggest problem is that horses in the U.S. are not raised for slaughter. They are often given drugs, de-wormers, and other substances that are toxic to dogs and cats” (https://www.hepper.com/is-there-horse-meat-in-dog-food/). There are also ethical concerns around the horse slaughter industry.
Overall, most American veterinarians advise pet owners to avoid dog foods containing horse meat due to uncertainty around safety, nutritional value, and ethical concerns. They recommend looking for dog foods with quality-sourced protein from livestock specifically raised for pet food manufacturing.
Pet Owner Perspectives
Many pet owners have strong opinions about the use of horse meat in dog food. According to a survey done by MuttNation in 2013, 78% of dog owners said they would not buy pet food containing horse meat (Source). When interviewed, pet owners cite ethical concerns, safety risks, and disgust as reasons for avoiding horse meat.
Some owners view eating horse meat as morally wrong, similar to eating dog or cat meat. They form emotional bonds with horses and do not see them as livestock for human or pet consumption. Other owners worry about the reputation of companies using horse meat and the transparency of disclosing ingredients.
Safety concerns also deter owners, as the origins and drug histories of horses entering the pet food supply chain are often unknown. Contamination and adulteration risks have caused distrust after past pet food recalls related to horse meat. Overall, the majority of surveyed pet owners prefer alternative protein sources like beef, chicken, and fish.
The Future
The future of horse meat in dog food is uncertain. On one hand, some pet food manufacturers argue that horse meat is a nutritious ingredient that should continue being used. They point out that horse meat has been part of some dog food recipes for decades without any major health issues. Additionally, the upcycling of horse meat that would otherwise go to waste reduces the environmental impact of both the horse industry and pet food production (source).
On the other hand, public perception of horse meat has suffered after recent scandals involving unlabeled or adulterated horse meat in pet food. Major retailers like Petco and PetSmart have stopped selling dog foods containing horse meat due to public pressure. There’s also an ethical argument against using a companion animal like horses for dog food. This public backlash may lead more brands to move away from horse meat even if it remains legal (source).
Regulations around horse meat also continue to evolve. The FDA has considered proposing a federal ban in the US, while the EU strengthened labeling and traceability requirements after the 2013 horse meat scandal. Increased regulation adds costs and logistical challenges for pet food companies to source and use horse meat (source).
In conclusion, while some niche brands may continue formulating with horse meat, the industry trend seems to be moving away from this controversial ingredient. Major manufacturers are likely to phase out horse meat and increase alternative protein sources like chicken, lamb, turkey, or novel proteins such as insect meal. But the lower cost and global supply of horse meat means it probably won’t disappear from all international pet food markets anytime soon.