Understanding Human-Grade Dog Food: What Does It Mean?

When it comes to feeding our furry friends, the idea of sampling their food is not at the top of most pet parents’ to-do list. Thankfully, many dog food recipes are not fit for human consumption, ensuring our pets get the nutrition they need without tempting our taste buds.

Recently, there has been a surge in the availability of human-grade dog foods in the market, proudly boasting this label. While it sounds appealing, what exactly does “human-grade” mean, and does it offer any benefits when it comes to your pet’s diet?

To delve deeper into this topic, we turned to Brandon Stapleton, a qualified DVM and the leading veterinarian at The Farmer’s Dog, renowned for its 5-star ratings.

What is human-grade dog food?

Human-grade dog food refers to food that is manufactured following the same stringent safety and quality regulations as those set by the FDA and USDA for human consumption.

These standards cover not only the ingredients used but also the production methods and the facilities where the food is made.

For instance, The Farmer´s Dog food is produced and tested in facilities that comply with USDA regulations. This ensures that the food is crafted in the same environment as human food, adhering to the highest safety measures in the pet food industry. Only a limited number of pet foods meet these rigorous criteria.

Is it Safe for People to Eat Human-Grade Best Dog Foodz?

At The Farmer´s Dog food, all our recipes are crafted to human-grade quality, ensuring safety for consumption. While our food is technically edible for humans, it is specifically formulated for dogs.

The rationale behind adhering to human-grade standards is to guarantee transparency regarding the ingredients and ensure the food is both safe and nutritious for dogs. This distinction is crucial, particularly for fresh, minimally processed food options.

Our approach does not involve added seasoning, complex cooking methods, or secret ingredients; instead, it focuses on meeting the safety protocols typically associated with human food production.

Is it Safe for Humans to Consume Non-Human-Grade Dog Food?

It is not recommended for people to consume conventional pet food that does not meet human-grade standards. The majority of pet food is manufactured to animal feed standards, which implies that the regulations regarding the ingredients used are not as strict. Moreover, the facilities where the food is produced do not undergo the same rigorous supervision.

In reality, the CDC suggests washing your hands after handling pet food and storing it separately from human food.

Is Premium-Quality Food Beneficial for Dogs?

Not necessarily. The crucial factor in pet food is its completeness and balance, ensuring it delivers all essential nutrients in the correct proportions. All Best Dog Foodz recipes are meticulously crafted by veterinary nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards, making them safe for every life stage without requiring additional supplements.

While our food adheres to human-food safety and quality protocols throughout the entire process, guaranteeing transparency from ingredients to preparation, this ensures that you are aware of precisely what your dog is consuming—a vital aspect of a nutritious diet.

What are the benefits of The Farmer´s Dog food?

The Farmer´s Dog offers nutritionally complete and balanced recipes for dogs, created with input from vet nutritionists and based on pet nutrition science. Unlike many ultra-processed foods, our recipes are made with fresh, human-grade ingredients, avoiding high-heat processing used in traditional kibble production.

Our food is highly digestible, ensuring that more nutrients are absorbed by your dog’s body. Research indicates that dogs fed fresh, minimally processed food often have better digestion and produce smaller stools.

Additionally, our meal plans are personalized for each dog’s specific needs, considering factors like age, body condition, and activity level. This tailored approach helps maintain an ideal weight for your dog, which is crucial for their overall health and longevity.

By offering a fresh, human-grade diet, The Farmer´s Dog provides a healthy choice that addresses the nutritional and weight management needs of dogs.

Distinguishing Between Human-Grade and Organic Dog Food

There is indeed a clear distinction between human-grade and organic dog food. When a product is labeled as human-grade, it signifies adherence to strict safety and quality standards throughout its production. In contrast, there are no specific regulations exclusively for pet food products labeled as “organic.”

Currently, any dog food claiming to be “organic” must meet the same stringent requirements as organic human food. However, the presence of organic ingredients in a product does not automatically render the entire food organic. To achieve organic certification, a food item must consist of at least 95% organic ingredients, while those with a lower organic composition can still list certain components as organic.

It is essential to consider the implied promise of purity and health associated with the term “organic” and compare it to the actual results of pet foods labeled as organic. Despite containing organic elements, any organic ingredient found in kibble is subject to extensive processing.

Are there any uncertainties surrounding human-grade dog food?

Some companies advertise using human-grade ingredients, but the production still occurs in pet-food facilities, creating confusion for consumers. In contrast, truly human-grade pet food not only utilizes human-grade ingredients but also adheres to human food safety standards, produced in a registered human food facility that manufactures human and pet food alike.

These facilities undergo rigorous regulation and inspection by both the FDA and the USDA. While typical pet-food facilities may only receive government inspections every three to five years, our facilities are subject to daily scrutiny.

We uphold these standards to ensure transparency and provide peace of mind to our customers that our food is not only safe but also healthy for their dogs. By following the highest safety protocols, we guarantee that what is on the label accurately reflects what is delivered to your doorstep when you choose The Farmer´s Dog food