Introduction
This article explores what dogs typically ate 100 years ago. In the early 20th century, dog nutrition and feeding practices were quite different than today. Many dogs were still working dogs on farms or used for hunting, so their diets reflected those working needs. Commercial dog food was just starting to emerge, but was not widely used or available yet. Homemade food, scraps, and raw meat made up the bulk of what dogs ate in the 1900s. Though nutritional research into dog food was still in its infancy, vets at the time provided some general feeding guidance to dog owners that will also be covered here. Overall, this article will provide an overview of the major components of dog diets from around 1910-1920.
Typical Dog Diets in the Early 1900s
In the early 20th century, the average family fed their dogs a combination of table scraps, raw meats, bones, and grains. Commercial dog food was not widely available or used until later in the century. Many dogs were still working animals at this time, helping on farms, or used for hunting. Their diets reflected their active lifestyles.
Table scraps and food waste like chicken bones, meat trimmings, vegetable peels, and stale bread were commonly fed to dogs by families. While nutritionally imbalanced, these scraps provided dogs with protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Raw meats like beef, liver, tripe, lamb and horse meat were affordable protein sources. Bones provided recreation, calcium, and helped clean teeth. Hardtack biscuits, cornmeal, oats, barley and wheat provided carbohydrates and calories. Some owners supplemented with cod liver oil for vitamins. Diets were basic but provided sufficient nutrition for less active household pets.
Overall, the average early 20th century dog ate a combination of human food leftovers and raw meats, grains, bones and supplements. Commercial dog food had not yet hit the mainstream. Diets varied based on a dog’s working role and economic status of the owners. But most dogs ate food cooked and grown at home, different from today’s commercial diets.
Feeding Working Dogs
Working dogs such as herding dogs and sled dogs required high-calorie diets to support their active lifestyles. These dogs often lived outdoors and did not receive the same kinds of measured meals house dogs did. Instead, working dogs ate whatever their owners could provide from the farm or home.
Common foods for working dogs included table scraps, raw milk, eggs, organ meats, and cheap cuts of meat. These foods provided the calories and nutrients these active dogs required. Oftentimes, working dogs ate the same basic diet as the humans they worked alongside.
Owners did not precisely measure out dog food as we do today. Table scraps and leftovers made up a large portion of a working dog’s diet. This allowed owners to provide adequate nutrition without the expense of buying specialty feeds.
While working dogs did not receive scientifically formulated kibble or canned food, their diets of people food, raw milk, eggs and meat provided sufficient protein, fat and calories to fuel their strenuous work. Owners relied on common sense and experience to feed their dogs rather than expert guidance.
Feeding Show Dogs
Purebred show dogs in the early 1900s were fed specialized diets to maintain their appearance and conform to breed standards. These dogs were highly valued for their pedigree and conformation, so their owners took extra care to feed them top-quality food.
Meat was a primary component of show dog diets in this era. Beef, lamb, chicken, liver, and other meats provided protein to develop strong muscles and maintain energy levels for training and showing. Some owners also added eggs, cottage cheese, and yogurt as high-protein supplements.
Show dogs typically ate kibble or homecooked meals containing meat, vegetables, and grain. Kibble formulations were still primitive compared to modern commercial dog food, but premium brands contained more meat and nutrients. Homecooked food allowed meticulous owners to control ingredients and customize recipes.
One common homecooked meal for show dogs combined ground beef, cooked liver, green beans, rice, and bone meal. Owners carefully measured portions to prevent obesity and monitor conditioning. Treats were doled out sparingly to avoid disrupting strict diets.
Owners also supplemented show dogs’ diets with cod liver oil for a shiny coat and wheat germ oil for healthy skin. Milk, yogurt, eggs, fruits, and vegetables provided vitamins and minerals for excellent health and vitality. Table scraps and excess treats were forbidden to maintain ideal body condition.
Early Commercial Dog Food
The first commercial dog foods emerged in the late 1800s to early 1900s. These early dog foods took the form of dog biscuits, which were made of wheat, vegetables, beet pulp, and meat products.
Some popular early dog biscuit brands included Spratt’s Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes out of England in 1860 and Milk-Bone out of the United States in 1908. These biscuits were designed to be nutritious and digestible for dogs.
In the 1920s, the first canned dog foods also became available, such as Ken-L Ration. Canned food allowed adding other ingredients like horsemeat, as well as vitamins and minerals.
While these early dog foods were commercialized and mass-produced, they were still largely unregulated and lacking in nutritional standards. The ingredients, formulations, and production processes varied greatly between brands during this early era of commercial pet food.
Overall, the beginnings of commercial dog food provided dog owners with more consistent and convenient options compared to home-cooked food. However, the understanding of canine nutritional needs was still developing in the early 20th century.
Foods to Avoid
In the early 1900s, there was less knowledge about canine nutrition and what foods were unsafe for dogs to consume. Some foods commonly fed to dogs at the time are now known to pose health risks:
– Raw meat and raw fish could contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can make dogs sick. Proper food handling and storage were less advanced.
– Bones from fish and chicken could splinter and cause obstructions or perforations in a dog’s esophagus or intestines.
– Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs.
– Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. The exact mechanism is still unknown.
– Onions contain compounds that can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs.
– Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can be extremely toxic to dogs.
– Alcohol has similar toxic effects in canines as it does in humans.
– Moldy or spoiled foods may contain mycotoxins that negatively affect the liver and kidneys.
– Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis.
– Milk and dairy products may cause diarrhea since some dogs are lactose intolerant.
Impact of Nutritional Research
In the early 1900s, the science of animal nutrition was just emerging. Scientists were starting to gain an understanding of the nutritional needs of dogs and the importance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in their diet.
In the 1920s, researchers at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in the UK began conducting feeding trials on dogs. This helped them determine the optimal ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrates for dog foods. They discovered that high protein diets helped dogs maintain muscle mass and an active lifestyle.
Additional research in the 1930s and 40s revealed the essential vitamins and minerals dogs required. Scientists found that a lack of calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and other nutrients could lead to health issues in dogs. This showed the importance of providing balanced nutrition.
As researchers learned more about canine nutrition, pet food companies began developing kibble and canned foods that incorporated these scientific findings. The emergence of veterinary nutrition as a specialty also led to better guidelines for feeding dogs. By the 1950s, commercial pet foods that reflected current nutritional research were widely available.
The new understanding of dog nutrition helped move feeding practices away from table scraps and kitchen leftovers. Instead, dogs began receiving specially formulated food that met their nutritional requirements.
Veterinary Guidance
Since commercial dog food was only just getting started 100 years ago, most dog owners relied on veterinarians or breed experts for guidance on optimal diets. Veterinarians in the early 1900s suggested that dogs should eat a combination of meat, grains, and vegetables. They often recommended feeding raw meat and bones to provide nutrients and keep teeth clean. However, many vets warned against letting dogs eat too much fat or salt pork. There were also recommendations to boil meat and mix it with rice or oatmeal. Some vets advised adding fresh vegetables like cabbage and carrots to provide fiber. Dairy products like milk or cheese were sometimes included in small amounts. Veterinarians typically emphasized the importance of a balanced, varied diet to keep dogs healthy.
Conclusion
Dog diets, like human diets, have undergone significant changes over the past 100+ years. In the early 1900s, most dogs ate scraps and leftovers from the table along with some supplemental foods like boiled grains and vegetables. Working dogs may have received heartier homemade meals to fuel their demanding jobs. Show dogs often ate finely minced horsemeat or beef to maintain sleek coats. The commercial pet food industry was still in its infancy at this time.
As the 20th century progressed, nutritional research led to increased knowledge about canine health requirements. Veterinary guidance emphasized balanced, wholesome diets over table scraps. The pet food industry expanded massively, providing conveniently formulated kibble and canned products for pet owners. While individualized homemade meals used to be the norm, commercial pet foods became the dietary staple for most dogs.
Over time, recommendations have shifted away from grain-heavy recipes and toward protein-focused natural diets that mimic ancestral canine eating patterns. There is also greater awareness today of individual nutritional needs based on breed, age, and health status. While many dogs now eat commercial kibble or wet food, some owners choose to prepare customized whole food meals. Regardless of the specific diet type, meeting a dog’s nutritional requirements with quality ingredients remains a primary goal for responsible pet owners.
References
This article was researched using various historical sources on dog nutrition from the early 20th century time period. Primary sources included period veterinary journals and breeders’ guides from 1900-1930. Secondary sources included modern books and articles analyzing changes in dog nutrition over the past century.
Key sources included:
- The American Kennel Club Gazette, 1915-1925
- The Country Gentleman magazine, 1900-1920
- Dr. Hess’ Stock Book by Hess & Clark, 1911
- The Expert Dog Book by Howe, 1915
- Popular Dog Keeping by Edward Ash, 1905
- Veterinary Medicine journal, 1910-1930
Additional research explored the history of commercial dog food in the early 20th century as well as the origins of modern dog nutrition science.