Human Grade Dog Food: The Ultimate Guide for Pet Owners
Pet parents today are treating their dogs like family, and that includes what’s in the food bowl.
One trend that has taken off in the US and UK is human grade dog food – a term that promises the same quality standards for Fido’s food as your own dinner.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore exactly what human grade dog food means, its benefits and drawbacks, why it’s in demand, and how you can incorporate it into your pup’s diet.
We’ll also introduce Soopa Pets, a company leading the way with 100% human-grade, natural dog treats (with no nasty additives)
What Human Grade Dog Food Actually Means
“Human grade” sounds like a fantastic promise – but what does it legally entail? According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a “human-grade” claim implies the product is “edible” for people under legal standards.
In other words, every ingredient must be fit for human consumption, and the final product must be manufactured, processed, and stored according to human food regulations.
This typically means the food is made in a licensed human food facility under stringent sanitation and quality controls (the same rules that apply to human food manufacturing).
What's The Difference Between Human Grade Dog Food VS Feed Grade Dog Food?
| Aspect | Human Grade Dog Food | Feed Grade Dog Food |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Meets all standards for human consumption (ingredient sourcing, handling, and processing) | Meets standards only for animal consumption; not fit for humans |
| Ingredient Quality | Uses high-quality, whole food ingredients (e.g. real chicken, sweet potatoes, blueberries) | May include low-quality by-products, rendered meat meals, supermarket waste, or animal carcasses |
| Processing Standards | Produced in a human food facility under strict sanitary regulations | Processed in feed-grade facilities with lower safety standards |
| Contaminants | Minimally processed to preserve nutrients and reduce harmful compounds | High-temperature processing can produce carcinogens like acrylamide and heterocyclic amines |
| Examples of Excluded Ingredients | No feathers, hooves, expired meat, or restaurant grease | May include feathers, hooves, expired meat, and even euthanized animals |
| Consumer Appeal | Transparent, clean-label, and increasingly in demand among health-conscious pet parents | Often less transparent, uses generic terms like "meat by-product" or "animal derivatives" |
| Price Point | Higher – reflects premium ingredient sourcing and manufacturing | Typically lower – uses cheaper raw materials and mass processing |
Benefits of Human Grade Dog Food
Proponents of human-grade dog food rave about several potential benefits:
-
Higher Quality & Safety: Because it’s made from ingredients good enough for people, human-grade dog food tends to use muscle meats, fish, eggs, fruits and veggies instead of cheaper fillers or by-products. The manufacturing is held to human food safety standards, which means stricter sanitation and quality control.
- Improved Digestibility: Many human-grade dog foods are minimally processed (often gently cooked or fresh-frozen), which can make them easier to digest compared to the extruded kibble process. Scientific studies have found that fresh or human-grade diets often have higher nutrient digestibility than kibble diets – meaning dogs can absorb more of the good stuff.
- Potential Health Benefits: While every dog is different, many owners report improvements in their pets’ coat shine, skin condition, energy levels, and even breath after switching to a human-grade or fresh food diet. Fans of fresh, natural diets say it can improve everything from heart health and vision to reducing smelly dog breath.
- Palatability: Human-grade dog foods often look and smell more like real food – because they are! This can make them more enticing to picky eaters. Think of a bowl of gently cooked meat and veggies versus hard brown kibble bits. Many dogs “vote with their tongues” in favor of the fresher, human-grade meals.
Why Pet Owners are Switching to Human Grade Dog Food (US & UK Trends)
It’s not your imagination – “human grade dog food” is exploding in popularity. After the 2020 pandemic pet adoption boom, many dog owners started seeking out higher-end foods that mirror their own health food choices.
According to market research, the demand for human-grade pet food has been rising steadily. In fact, the global human grade pet food market was valued around $2.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.77 billion by 2030, growing ~6.6% annually.
Many are also motivated by food safety scares – reports of pet food recalls or low-quality ingredients have made owners more skeptical of bargain kibble.
Is Human Grade Dog Food Right for Your Dog?
Yes. If you value ingredient transparency and quality, human-grade foods offer huge reassurance. You know the ingredients could literally be served on your own plate – no “mystery meat” or hidden nasties. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, where simple, natural ingredients may ease their symptoms.
However, it is important to note human-grade pet food does tend to be more expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, you might not be able to go 100% human-grade for every meal. Some pet parents compromise by using a human-grade topper or mixing fresh ingredients with a base kibble to boost quality without breaking the bank.
Introducing Soopa Pets – Human-Grade, 100% Natural Dog Treats
If you’re intrigued by the idea of human-grade dog food, a great way to start is with treats. You can maintain your dog’s regular diet and incorporate human-grade treats as a healthy supplement.
Soopa Pets is a dog treat brand that’s all about human-grade, natural ingredients and absolutely no junk.
Soopa Pets’ Story: UK's Human-Grade Dog Treat Company
Soopa is an award winning dog treat brand, founded by Barbara Hanly, inspired by her rescue dog Lily.
As a pet groomer, Barbara saw many dogs suffering from issues like obesity, diabetes, and allergies, often worsened by poor-quality treats and foods.
Why Choose Soopa Pets Dog Treats For Your Dog?
Determined to make a change, she created Soopa to offer nutritious, natural treats that dogs with even the most sensitive tummies could enjoy.
All Soopa treats are 100% plant-based (vegan) and hypoallergenic, using fruits, vegetables, and botanicals to pack in vitamins and minerals. From day one, Soopa set out to use only human food-grade ingredients – if it’s not fit for a human to eat, it doesn’t go into these treats.
(Don’t be surprised if the delicious smell of sweet potato or coconut tempts you to take a nibble – it’s that quality!)
Soopa Pets also never use any preservatives, additives, or artificial flavors – the treats are gently air-dried to lock in goodness, with nothing extra added!
Let’s highlight three of Soopa’s best-selling human-grade treats that you (and your dog) should know about:
Bestselling Human-Grade Dog Treats Your Dog Will Love
1. Soopa Natural Sweet Potato Chews
These chews are made from 100% raw sweet potato, hand-cut into chunky pieces and air-dried to create a chewy, satisfying texture. Sweet potatoes are often called a “superfood” – they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are perfect for your dog.
What Customers Say: “Our dog LOVES these sweet potato chews, they are definitely one of his favourites!!”
2. Soopa Apple & Blueberry Dental Sticks
These Dental Sticks are clever grain-free dental chews designed to help keep your dog’s teeth clean and breath fresh. They’re made using natural, 100% human-grade ingredients – you’ll find things like potato flour, coconut oil, apple, blueberry inside. It's loaded with antioxidants and vitamin K.
What Customers Say: “Dog loves them. The only chews I can find that don't upset her stomach… and they actually help her breath.”
3. Soopa Banana & Peanut Butter Healthy Bites
Shop Banana & Peanut Butter Bites
The Banana & Peanut Butter Healthy Bites are little bone-shaped or flower-shaped bites (depending on batch) that are soft and easy to chew, even for small dogs or seniors. Grain-free & low-calorie, the main ingredients include potato and chickpea flour, blended with real banana, peanut butter, and coconut oil.
What Customers Say: “My dog’s so fussy but loves these”
The Bottom Line on Human Grade Dog Food
Human grade dog food represents a shift towards higher quality, transparency, and accountability in what we feed our pets. If you’re curious about making the switch to human-grade dog food, start small – maybe replace 20% of your dog’s kibble with a fresh dog food and see how it goes, or try out human-grade treats like Soopa Pets to get a feel for the quality and your dog’s reaction.
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