The Evolution of Dog Food: From Scraps to Premium Nutrition
- Nature's Diet
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
1. The Beginnings: Early Dog Food History
The relationship between humans and dogs goes back thousands of years, and in many ways, our feeding practices have evolved alongside our companionship. In the earliest days, dogs didn’t rely on the specialized diets we provide today. Instead, they were often fed scraps from human meals or were left to their own devices, foraging for food. While this method may have worked for wild dogs, it didn’t always provide the balanced nutrition that domesticated dogs require.
Early Dog Feeding: A Simpler Time
Before the rise of commercial dog food, pet owners typically fed their dogs whatever they had on hand. This could range from leftovers of human meals to bones or other animal parts. While dogs are naturally opportunistic feeders and can survive on a wide variety of foods, this approach didn’t always offer the nutrients dogs need to thrive. As dog ownership grew, particularly in urban areas where dogs were kept as companions, the need for a more consistent and nutritious diet became apparent.
First Commercial Dog Food: A New Era
In the late 1800s, a breakthrough in dog food came in the form of Spratt’s Patent. Developed in 1860 by an Englishman named James Spratt, this product marked the birth of the commercial dog food industry. Spratt's Patent was a meat biscuit made from meat, wheat, and vegetables, offering a convenient, standardized food option for dogs. This was a game-changer, as it allowed dog owners to provide their pets with more reliable nutrition without relying on table scraps or hunting.
At the time, these early dog foods were a far cry from the highly processed kibble and raw options we see today. However, it was a significant step forward in the evolution of pet nutrition, as it acknowledged the need for dogs to have a consistent, dedicated food source.
The Industrial Revolution Impact
As cities expanded during the Industrial Revolution, more and more people began keeping dogs as pets, and the demand for pet food grew. By the early 20th century, canned dog food began to take shape. These early cans were often filled with meat, grains, and vegetables, and they were marketed as a way to provide pets with a balanced diet. This period also saw the rise of dry kibble, which was touted as a more affordable and shelf-stable alternative to canned food.
While the ingredients in these early forms of dog food weren’t necessarily ideal, they represented an important milestone in the history of feeding our pets. For the first time, dogs were being provided with food specifically designed for them, rather than relying on leftovers or scraps.
However, as kibble became commercially dominant, many of the big kibble companies started adding lower cost ingredients like rice, corn, pea protein and grains to lower their production costs. This led to less protein, more carbohydrates and overall less nutritious food. At the same time many of these same companies experienced an increase in recalls that may have been related to the addition of inferior imported ingredients. At the start of the new millennium, things became worse with sawdust, chicken feathers, melamine, cyanuric acid, wheat gluten, artificial preservatives and more unsavory ingredients found in pet food culminating in 2007 the year with the largest number of recalls of over 60 million containers and 180 different brands of pet food. This dark period in the pet food industry ushered in a new era of consumers demanding natural, healthy, safe pet food choices.
2. The Shift Toward Healthier Diets for Dogs
As pet ownership continued to evolve, so did our understanding of what constitutes a healthy, balanced diet for dogs. No longer were they simply seen as companions to be fed leftovers and scraps; dogs were increasingly recognized as family members deserving of proper, nutritious food. However, the food being offered by kibble companies (which was of a lower and lower quality) did not match with people's changing beliefs and attitudes about their pets' nutrition. This shift in perspective prompted a rethinking of pet food, with an emphasis on natural, wholesome ingredients that mirrored a dog's ancestral diet, eventually leading to the rise of the pet health food industry.
Understanding Canine Nutrition: The Science Behind the Shift
In the mid-20th century, advancements in veterinary science brought a deeper understanding of canine nutrition. While early commercial pet foods often focused on convenience and affordability, they often lacked the essential nutrients needed for dogs to thrive. Veterinarians and pet nutritionists began to recognize that dogs, like humans, required a balanced diet rich in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Dogs are primarily carnivores with a natural inclination for protein-rich foods, so it became clear that meat, along with a balanced array of vegetables and grains, should form the backbone of their diet. This scientific understanding was revolutionary, as it highlighted the need for high-quality ingredients in dog food, sparking a movement toward more nutritionally balanced options.
The Rise of Natural Dog Foods
By the 1980s and 1990s, pet food companies began to adapt to this newfound knowledge about dog nutrition. The focus shifted from artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers to more natural, whole-food ingredients. Holistic brands emerged, offering options that were free from by-products and instead used real meats, grains, and vegetables. This new approach focused on providing dogs with the type of diet they would naturally eat in the wild—one rich in protein and fats, with minimal processed ingredients.
As more pet owners became aware of the benefits of feeding their dogs natural food, the demand for higher-quality options grew. Kibble and canned foods with “holistic” labels became increasingly popular, offering a healthier alternative to the highly processed, cheap options that dominated the market previously. In fact, the rise of natural and holistic dog foods laid the foundation for what would eventually become the raw feeding movement.
The Raw Food Movement: A Return to Basics
The idea behind the raw food movement was simple: dogs should eat what their ancestors ate—raw, unprocessed meat, bones, and vegetables. Proponents of the raw food diet argued that feeding dogs raw food would provide the most biologically appropriate nutrition, improving health, digestion, and overall vitality.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the raw feeding trend began to gain momentum, particularly among dog owners who were dedicated to providing the best possible nutrition for their pets. Raw food diets—whether homemade or commercially prepared—tended to feature high-quality meats, organ meats, bones, and vegetables, providing the most natural form of nutrition available.
However, raw feeding presented certain challenges. Preparing and storing raw food was time-consuming and required careful attention to food safety. Additionally, the raw food diet wasn’t always easy to manage for busy dog owners who didn’t have the time or knowledge to prepare balanced meals from scratch. This led to the rise of alternative methods of feeding raw, such as freeze-dried raw food, which offered a convenient way to provide the benefits of raw feeding without the hassle.
3. Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: A New Frontier
The raw food movement sparked a revolution in how we think about feeding our pets. While the benefits of raw food were undeniable, there were practical challenges for many pet owners, particularly in terms of preparation, storage, and safety. That’s where freeze-dried raw dog food steps in as a game-changer, providing a convenient, shelf-stable option that maintains the integrity and nutritional value of raw ingredients.
What is Freeze-Dried Raw Food?
Freeze-dried raw dog food is a relatively recent innovation in the pet food industry that preserves the nutritional benefits of raw, whole foods without the need for refrigeration. The freeze-drying process involves freezing the raw ingredients and then slowly removing the moisture from them through a vacuum process. This method allows the food to retain its natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, while making it shelf-stable and easy to store. When it's time to feed, you simply rehydrate the food with water, and your dog is ready to enjoy a healthy, raw meal.
Freeze-drying also eliminates the need for artificial preservatives or fillers, which are often present in traditional dry kibble. As a result, freeze-dried raw food is closer to a dog’s natural diet—protein-rich, minimally processed, and highly digestible. This has made it a preferred choice for many dog owners who are looking for the health benefits of raw food but want the convenience of an easy-to-store, easy-to-serve product.
The Technology Behind Freeze-Drying
Freeze-drying itself is a fascinating process. After raw ingredients such as meats, organs, and vegetables are frozen at extremely low temperatures, the moisture in the food is slowly removed using a vacuum and low heat. This preserves the food’s original structure, nutritional content, and flavor. While freeze-dried food may seem like a modern invention, the technique has been around for decades and was originally used to preserve food for astronauts and long-term storage purposes.
Over time, this technology evolved to make freeze-dried food a viable option for pets. The combination of cutting-edge science and an understanding of raw food’s nutritional benefits led to the development of freeze-dried raw dog food. Today, it provides the ideal solution for pet owners who want to offer their dogs a high-quality, natural diet without the time-consuming preparation and logistical challenges of raw feeding.
Simply Raw and Ready Raw by Nature's Diet: Revolutionizing Dog Food
Simply Raw and Ready Raw by Nature’s Diet are the perfect examples of how freeze-dried raw dog food has revolutionized the pet food market. This brand offers a complete line of raw, freeze-dried meals made from high-quality, natural ingredients. Each product is designed to provide dogs with a nutritious, balanced diet that mirrors their natural carnivorous instincts, but with the added convenience of freeze-drying.
The core philosophy behind Nature's Diet is simple: to offer dogs a diet that closely resembles what they would have eaten in the wild. Their freeze-dried recipes feature premium meats like chicken, beef, and turkey, along with organ meats and vegetables, all sourced from trusted suppliers. This ensures that each meal provides the essential nutrients dogs need for optimal health and vitality.
What sets Nature's Diet apart is not just its commitment to using raw ingredients, but its dedication to making raw feeding accessible and convenient. By freeze-drying the meals, the company has taken the complexities of raw feeding—such as preparation, storage, and the potential for spoilage—and made it easy for dog owners to provide their pets with a nutrient-packed, raw diet that’s ready to serve in minutes.
Why Freeze-Dried Raw Food?
There are numerous benefits to feeding your dog freeze-dried raw food, and Simply Raw and Ready Raw by Nature’s Diet are excellent examples of how this approach can positively impact a dog’s health and well-being.
Nutrient Preservation: Freeze-drying helps to preserve the nutrients in raw food that are often lost during cooking or processing. Your dog receives the full nutritional profile of the ingredients without compromise.
Convenience: Freeze-dried food is lightweight, easy to store, and shelf-stable, making it perfect for busy pet owners who want to provide their dogs with high-quality food but need a more convenient option than traditional raw feeding.
Improved Health: Raw food diets have been shown to improve a dog’s digestion, coat condition, energy levels, and overall health. With Simply Raw, dogs can benefit from a nutrient-dense, biologically appropriate diet without the mess or fuss.
A housecat prepares to enjoy a bowl full of Ready Raw®, a freeze dried fresh raw meal option for cats and dogs. Because of the biologically appropriate benefits, the cat is casting the shadow of a mighty lion.
5. The Modern-Day Pet Food Movement: Raw vs. Traditional
Today’s pet food industry is at a crossroads, with more and more pet owners choosing to prioritize their dogs’ health through higher-quality, natural diets. The rise of raw feeding and freeze-dried food has created a shift toward understanding and meeting a dog’s biological needs, moving away from the overly processed, mass-produced options of the past.
Consumer Demand for Healthier Options: Pet owners are becoming increasingly aware of what goes into their dogs' food. With a growing concern for animal welfare, sustainability, and human-grade ingredients, the demand for high-quality, raw, and minimally processed options continues to surge. Raw and freeze-dried dog foods are gaining popularity because they are seen as the closest match to what dogs would naturally eat in the wild.
The Future of Pet Food: As the pet food industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that more brands will move toward offering natural, raw, and freeze-dried diets. With advancements in food preservation and a deeper understanding of canine nutrition, we can expect even more innovation that makes it easier for pet owners to provide their dogs with optimal nutrition while staying true to their health-conscious values.
