Introduction
Human grade dog food refers to dog food that contains ingredients safe and suitable for human consumption. This means the ingredients are held to the same quality standards used in producing food for people. Human grade dog food uses wholesome, premium components you could find on your own dinner plate.
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of human grade dog food – what it means, the benefits it offers, reputable brands that follow human food guidelines, and factors to consider when choosing a human grade diet for your dog.
Human Grade Dog Food Certifications
To legally label a pet food “human grade” in the United States, the manufacturer must meet certain guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AAFCO provides model regulations that most states adopt for pet food labeling. They require human grade pet foods to contain ingredients that are:
- Inspected by the USDA and fit for human consumption
- Stored, handled, and transported following FDA requirements for human edible products
- Produced under the same Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) used for human foods
The FDA mandates that all ingredients and finished products meet federal and local standards for purity, quality, and safety. While the term “human grade” is not formally defined or approved by the FDA, reputable manufacturers adhere to these guidelines.
Some premium pet food brands also obtain separate certifications like USDA approval to highlight the human edibility of their ingredients. But AAFCO and FDA standards are the baseline for legally labeling a product as “human grade” in the United States.
Benefits of Human Grade
Human grade dog food provides several benefits over regular pet food. The key advantage is the use of higher quality ingredients that meet standards for human consumption. This results in more nutritious and healthier food for dogs.
Human grade ingredients, such as meat, fruits, and vegetables, contain more essential nutrients than animal by-products commonly found in many pet foods. Foods with human grade ingredients are less processed and retain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote your dog’s health.
Additionally, human grade pet food facilities adhere to stricter safety protocols for handling and manufacturing food. This reduces the risk of contamination from bacteria like salmonella and harmful chemicals. The high standards result in safer food that dog owners can feel comfortable feeding their pets.
Overall, choosing a dog food with human grade ingredients provides improved nutrition, health, and safety benefits compared to standard kibble using lower quality ingredients and manufacturing standards.
Human Grade Brands
Several dog food brands have achieved human grade certifications for their manufacturing facilities and ingredients. Here are some of the top human grade dog food brands:
The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen has earned human grade certification for all their pet food products. Their manufacturing facility meets human food production standards, and they use only human grade ingredients certified for human consumption. Their dehydrated foods are gently cooked at low temperatures to retain nutrients.
Orijen
Orijen dog foods are produced in their own kitchens that meet standards for human food preparation. They use fresh local ingredients that are deemed fit for human consumption. Their foods contain 85-90% meat ingredients and limited processed plant material.
Stella & Chewy’s
Stella & Chewy’s earn the highest safety certifications from independent organizations for their raw frozen and freeze-dried dog food. Their facilities follow strict protocols and they source natural, organic, and human grade ingredients.
ZiwiPeak
ZiwiPeak’s air-dried dog food is made in a USDA-approved kitchen that meets standards for human food preparation. Their recipes use meat, organs, bones, and seafood ingredients that are approved for human consumption.
Sojos
Sojos meets the strictest standards with their USDA-certified kitchen and quality control protocols. Their dehydrated raw dog food uses only raw, fresh, whole food ingredients fit for human consumption.
Ingredient Quality
Human grade dog foods contain superior quality ingredients compared to many conventional kibbles. Here are some aspects that make the ingredients stand out:
Types of high quality ingredients:
Meats like chicken, salmon, lamb, beef etc. Sourced from human food production facilities, meeting standards for human consumption.
Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Better bioavailability of nutrients compared to fractioned ingredients.
Limited use of fillers like corn, wheat, soy, by-products. More nutrient dense calories.
Sourcing and nutritional value:
Ingredients are fresher, minimally processed and locally sourced when possible. Retains more nutrients.
Free from hormones, antibiotics and other additives common in feed grade ingredients. Safer for dogs.
Higher protein content from quality animal ingredients. Provides balanced amino acid profile.
More digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes rather than grains. Easier on dog’s digestive system.
Price Comparison
Human grade dog food does tend to cost more than regular kibble. However, there are a few factors to consider when assessing the value.
First, human grade foods often have higher quality ingredients like real meats, fruits, and vegetables. These cost more than rendered meats and grain fillers commonly found in regular kibble. So while the price per pound may be higher, you’re paying for quality nutrition.
Second, human grade foods are more digestible and bioavailable, meaning more nutrients are absorbed. So you can feed less per meal and need a smaller daily quantity. Spread over time, the price difference is reduced.
Finally, consider potential vet bills. Lower quality dog foods have been linked to health issues. Spending more upfront on quality nutrition can avoid expensive medical costs down the road.
When you factor in ingredient quality, digestibility, daily quantity needed, and potential health impacts, human grade dog foods may provide better value overall despite the higher sticker price.
How To Identify Human Grade
When looking for human grade dog food, pay close attention to the labeling and marketing claims. Here are some things to look for:
Labeling Cues
– “Human grade” or “human quality ingredients” stated clearly on the packaging
– Meets USDA requirements for human consumption
– Produced in a human food production facility
Claims To Look For
– “We only accept ingredients that are edible for people.”
– “Manufactured in a human food plant.”
– “Made with human quality ingredients fit for human consumption.”
Reputable brands that truly meet human grade standards will be clear and transparent about their human-edible ingredients. Look for solid evidence like certifications and facility details.
Potential Drawbacks of Human Grade Dog Food
While human grade dog food has many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider as well:
Limited Protein Sources
Human grade dog foods often rely on a limited variety of protein sources, usually chicken, beef, lamb or fish. While these are high-quality options, some dogs may benefit from more variety and alternative proteins like bison, duck or venison that are less commonly used in human grade recipes.
Risk of Recalls
Any pet food company can face recalls, but human grade brands may be at a slightly higher risk. Since they use ingredients fit for human consumption, these brands often source from the same places our own food does. Any issues at a supplier could trigger a recall for both human and pet products. While recalls are rare, it’s something to be aware of.
Right for Your Dog?
When deciding if human grade dog food is right for your pet, you’ll need to consider their specific breed, age, and any health issues. This type of food may not be necessary or suitable for all dogs and their individual needs.
Puppies and senior dogs have different nutritional requirements that may be better met by a life stage formula rather than human grade varieties. Giant and small breed dogs also have size-specific needs. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Dogs with food allergies, sensitivities or medical conditions like kidney disease may do better on a limited ingredient, prescription or veterinary therapeutic diet. Rotating proteins, avoiding certain ingredients or feeding wet food may be recommended instead.
The high meat content of human grade recipes can cause loose stools in some dogs. Be prepared to transition slowly by mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the previous diet over a period of 5-7 days or more.
Consider your dog’s taste preferences as well. Human grade brands often have a simpler flavor profile that some picky pets may reject, especially if transitioning from a strong-smelling food. Mixing in wet food, broth or safe human foods can make it more enticing.
Overall, the superior nutrition of human grade dog food can benefit most healthy dogs. But be sure to choose an appropriate recipe and transition properly based on your dog’s needs.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to selecting a high-quality dry dog food that uses human grade ingredients, there are a few key takeaways:
Human grade certification ensures ingredients meet FDA standards for human consumption. USDA, AAFCO, and Global Animal Partnership are the main third-party certifications.
Benefits of human grade include better digestibility, nutrition, taste, and safety. Brands like JustFoodForDogs, The Honest Kitchen, NomNomNow use human grade ingredients.
While human grade costs more than traditional kibble, many dog owners find the investment worthwhile for their pet’s health and preference. Always check the first 5-10 ingredients for quality.
In the end, human grade dry dog food, while more expensive, can provide a nutritious and tasty option for dogs. Consider your own budget and needs, and look for reputable brands with transparent sourcing and quality standards.