When it comes to our dogs, we want to ensure that we give them the best possible food. However, finding the best option is challenging with so many commercial products available. 

Dpg food labels contain several terms to enhance the product. Organic, all-natural, holistic, premium, and human-grade are buzzwords for marketing dog food. But what do these terms actually mean?

Before dogs became common household pets, dog food was called animal feed. Feed grade refers to the quality classification of ingredients used in animal feed production. The ingredients are intended explicitly for animal consumption and do not meet the same standards as human-grade ingredients. 

The distinction between feed-grade and human-grade ingredients lies in the processing, handling, and sourcing standards. Feed-grade ingredients are produced, handled, and processed in facilities that adhere to safety and quality regulations established for animal consumption but below the standards set for human-grade ingredients.

Feed-grade ingredients can include parts of an animal, grains, and other components that, while suitable for animals, might not pass the same safety and quality regulations required for human consumption. Many low-quality pet foods contain unfit ingredients for human consumption, including animal by-products, additives, fillers, and parts from '4D' meats (from dying, diseased, disabled, or deceased animals).  

As dog food became a very profitable commodity, the competition exploded. Companies have to find marketing ploys to lure consumers to buy their brands. Dog food labels are vital to the success of the product. The newest buzzword term is “human-grade.” But several other terms are also used to encourage sales.

Natural: Indicates that the food contains ingredients derived from natural sources, without artificial additives or preservatives.

High-Protein: Emphasizes a higher content of protein sources, often appealing to dog owners seeking diets closer to a canine's natural diet.

Organic: Denotes that ingredients were produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Limited Ingredient: This product contains a minimal number of critical ingredients, often beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

Holistic: Suggests a comprehensive approach to dog nutrition, focusing on the overall health and well-being of the pet.

Grass-fed or Pasture-Raised: Highlights that the animal protein sources were raised in natural environments, potentially impacting the quality of the ingredients.

Real Meat: Emphasizes meat as the primary ingredient, appealing to owners seeking high-quality protein sources for their dogs.

Artificial Preservative-Free: Indicates the absence of synthetic preservatives, promoting a more natural and potentially healthier option for dogs.

"Human-grade" in the dog food industry refers to the quality ingredients used to produce dog food. When a product is labeled as "human-grade," it means that the ingredients used in the food are of the same quality and standard as those intended for human consumption. These ingredients are sourced, handled, and processed following the safety and quality regulations set for human food.

Human-grade dog food implies that the ingredients are fit for human consumption and are processed in facilities that meet human food production standards. This designation suggests a higher level of quality control and may appeal to pet owners seeking premium or higher-quality foods for their pets.

However, it's essential to note that while "human-grade" implies higher quality, it doesn't necessarily guarantee better nutritional content or superiority in meeting a dog's specific dietary needs. Checking the complete ingredient list, nutritional composition, and understanding your dog's dietary requirements are still crucial factors in choosing the right food for your dog. Remember, Twinkies® and Doritos® are considered human-grade.

There was no legal meaning of "human grade" as it applied to pet food until only a few years ago, and misleading uses of the word were widespread. The word "human grade" in the pet food industry, according to The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), still has no standardized meaning. But, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a definition for the word "edible."

The standards for human-grade dog food are the same for food produced for people. Human food facilities have much more stringent regulations for sanitation, personnel training, and standard operating procedures for properly handling, storing, and processing food than an animal feed manufacturing plant, which is why it is more expensive to produce human-grade food. 

Companies will use other wording on the dog food labels, such as “sourced from a USDA-inspected facility which confuses consumers into thinking that the food is human-grade. This designation says nothing about the quality of the meat, only that it originated from a standard slaughter plant that must be USDA inspected by law. Many state regulations prohibit this from appearing on pet food labels.

An argument that dog food is "human-grade" or "human-quality" means that the food is suitable for human consumption. Unfortunately, the argument may be deceptive since "human-grade" and "human-quality" have no legal meaning and do not necessarily correspond to high-quality dog food.

USDA organic dog food refers to pet food made with ingredients that meet the organic standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These standards dictate how ingredients are grown, processed, and handled before using organic products, including pet food.

The ingredients must be certified organic for dog food to be labeled USDA organic, ensuring that the ingredients are grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, or artificial growth hormones. The use of these prohibited substances during the production of organic ingredients is strictly regulated.

Additionally, the USDA organic certification requires that animals raised for their products (such as meat or eggs) in organic dog food are provided with organic feed and access to the outdoors. These animals are also not treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics.

The USDA organic label on dog food assures dog parents that the ingredients used in the food meet stringent organic standards, promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices and potentially offering a higher quality and more natural diet for dogs. However, it is still essential to review the product's specific ingredients and nutritional information to ensure it meets your dog's dietary needs despite being labeled as organic.

When Human-Grade Conflicts with Species-Appropriate

The USDA has regulations defining animal carcass components as human-edible versus inedible. Inedible animal parts include many parts like the fur, cartilage, tendons, feet, glands (ovaries, testes, and pancreas), and lungs that are species-appropriate foods for dogs!

Should these parts be discarded into the rendering bins despite their nutritional value for dogs simply because they are not deemed edible for humans? Ironically, if sent to the rendering company, these parts will end up in commercially manufactured dog food but will have been stripped of essential nutrients due to the extreme heating processes used to create animal by-products for kibble. With processing, such as air-drying or freeze-drying, or even when fed raw,  these “inedible” animal parts are excellent additions to a dog’s meal or for treats or chews. 

When searching for a high-quality dog food, look for the following:

Single-ingredient treats or feed with meat listed as a primary source.

Avoid fillers: While some carbohydrates may benefit your dog's health if they have higher energy requirements, seeing grains or other starchy carbs at the top of the ingredient list can indicate the company is more concerned with cutting costs than making a high-quality product.  Corn, for example, is a human-edible ingredient, but it can be difficult for your dog to digest,  often causing food intolerances or allergies.

Avoid Synthetic Ingredients: Nutrients from the ingredients in treats and feed are often destroyed during the manufacturing of commercial pet food. As a result, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added to label the food as complete and balanced. However, synthetic vitamins and minerals do not have the same bioavailability as their natural counterparts, and they can be harmful). 

Transparency and Reputation: Select brands with transparent sourcing and manufacturing processes. Reputable brands often provide information about sourcing quality control and have good customer reviews.

In the past, pet food was in the same category as all other animal feeds, which is appropriate as all of the same regulations that apply to cattle and chicken feed apply to dog and cat food. However, in the 1950s, regulators decided that pet food should be a specialty animal feed product, mainly because the food was purchased to be taken into the house to feed pets rather than stored in the barn for livestock. People were concerned that animal feed was unsanitary. Hence, the commercial dog food companies changed the name to allay these fears and appease the pet owners despite not changing manufacturing procedures!

Understanding the difference in terminology ensures that you can choose the dog food that best suits your dog.

Human-grade does not equate to nutritionally adequate for your dog.

Dog food labeled as organic may be more appropriate for dogs than human-grade products.

AAFCO Human Grade Standards for Pet Products 

First study on human-grade dog food says whole, fresh food is highly digestible | College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences | UIUC 

First study on human-grade dog food concludes that it’s highly digestible, according to roosters 

Organic, Humanely Raised, Fresh, Raw and Human Grade – One Does not Guarantee the Other  

Pet Food Guidance for Industry Labeling & Manufacture of Raw Meat Foods for Companion Animals 


What Is Human Grade Dog Food

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