What is Human-Grade Dog Food?

May 23, 2025

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We are 100% sure you are a pet parent who wants your dog’s health to be up-to-date. When we say health, it comes down to the diet that your pet follows, and you surely might have heard about “Human-Grade Dog Food”. But what does it exactly mean? Is it just a buzzword? Or does it make any difference in your pet’s health? 

Today, let's talk about human-grade dog food and why it is good from traditional or feed-grade dog food. Also, why and how choosing the right dog food can make a difference in the health of your furry friend.

What does "Human-Grade Dog Food" mean?

As the term suggests, “human-grade” means the food is made with ingredients that are safe and approved for human consumption. It is also a nutrition-based food that contains provisions that are marked by human consumption standards and are pet-safe. However, to be considered as 100% human grade, the process from sourcing ingredients to baking and packaging - everything should pass human food production standards.

It is considered to be a step above from the traditional or feed-grade dog food production, which is often made from sources that are not fit for human consumption such as low-quality meat by-products, fillers, and additives.

Human Grade vs Feed Grade Dog Food

Here’s how you can easily make a difference while buying kibble by differentiating between Human-Grade Dog Food from Feed-Grade Dog Food.

Traditional OR Feed-Grade Dog Food: With a large-scale production, these brands focus primarily on selling their products without considering the health of the pet. Extremely high temperatures of kibble cooking lead to the nutrient value dropping, while also containing questionable meat by-products that are absolutely unsafe for a pet.

Nutrition Focused OR Human-Grade Dog Food: With limited sources that are authentic, safe, and approved for human consumption, human-grade dog food consists of natural ingredients fit for your dog’s overall health. High-quality meat, vegetables, and known spices - the food is prepared in a certified, clean, and safe environment while being baked in the oven to retain the nutrient content as per pet food standards.

FEATURES

TRADITIONAL OR FEED-GRADE DOG FOOD

NUTRITION FOCUSED OR HUMAN-GRADE DOG FOOD

Ingredients

Questionable by-products

100% human-grade, safe quality provisions

Cooking Methods

High-temperature extrusion (nutrient loss)

Oven-baked (nutrient retention) 

Quality Control

Low food safety measures

Prepared in a certified, clean environment

Focus on Health

Quantity over Quality

Focus on a complete and balanced palette

Pet Safety

Contains artificial flavors and additives

Contains real, fresh, and permitted preservatives and antioxidants   

 

Why Oven-Baked Kibbles are a game changer?

Now, we’ll get on to one of the major facts about oven-baked Puppy Food kibbles, and why it is important.

Usually, the pet food is processed at extreme pressures and high temperatures, commonly termed as the traditional extrusion process. It not only takes away the nutrients, but also makes it unhealthy for pet consumption.

On the other hand, Good Dog oven-baked kibbles go through a gentle process in an oven (obviously!). They tend to be easier for dog digestion while keeping the nutrient levels retained, as per the food safety standards, plus, the crunch that it has is a satisfying experience for your pet.

Therefore, when you buy food for your dog that’s human-grade and oven-baked, you’re giving them a meal that’s both palatable and nourishing.

What to look for in a Human-Grade Dog Food brand?

With an ample number of options available in the market, it can be tough to spot the brand that fits the human-grade food consumption standards. Hence, look for the following points as a real pet food brand will offer these things:

  • 100% human-grade ingredients
  • Oven-baked kibbles for maximum nutritional value
  • Fortified essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health
  • A detailed and understandable ingredient list

So, is Human-Grade Dog Food worth buying?

Without a doubt, YES!

In a comparison with other traditional pet food brands, human-grade pet food brands can be costlier but the benefits outweigh the price difference. Feeding your beloved pet 100% human-grade food will lead to fewer vet visits, enhanced energy levels, and even a longer lifespan.

Plus, you would want to feed your dog the food that gives it a better coat, brighter eyes, and a happily wagging tail. 

So what’s the wait for? Invest in something that makes your dog a Good Dog.