Human-grade vs pet-grade meat

What’s the difference?

It sounds self-explanatory but it’s important to pay closer attention when deciding what to feed your best friend.

Human-grade meat is, as the name suggests, legally suitable for human consumption. It passes rigorous quality-control checks and requires specific preparation processes. Passing inspection means that the food is clean, safe and nutrient-dense. This is a process that is strictly regulated and monitored in Australia according to the Australian Meat and Live‑stock Industry Regulations 1998.

Pet-grade or feed grade meat, on the other hand, is far less transparent. For example, it could be a cut that was dropped on the floor during preparation and therefore can’t be sold for human consumption. This doesn’t sound too bad..does it?

Pet-grade meat also comes from animals that fall into what’s commonly known as the 4D’s:

• Dead
• Diseased
• Dying
• Disabled

Meat from these animals is prohibited to be sold for human consumption as we can’t be sure that it’s safe. Yet, recognising that pet-grade meat is cheaper and they can get away with selling it, this is what many pet food providers in Australia still put in their food.

Commercially available dog food has been proven to contain meat from deceased and diseased animals. FDA testing has found such meat to be contaminated with pentobarbital, a toxin used to euthanise the animal.

There have also a number of cases where extremely high levels of sulphur dioxide used to mask the odour and deterioration of pet-grade meat lead to the hospitalisation of dogs and cats.

This is why many organisations, including the RSPCA, recommend choosing human-grade over pet-grade meat. We need to start recognising that what we put into our dogs has a huge impact on their health.

It’s why all of the raw, meaty bones and ingredients we source for our mixes are 100% human-grade and preservative free.

If it’s not good enough for us to eat, it’s not good enough for them.