History of Pet Kibble

in 1860 James Spratt, of Cincinnati, Ohio developed a biscuit made of wheat, beet root, vegetables and beef blood, hence, the first processed dog food was created. The idea for this product was sprouted from watching stray dogs eat hard biscuits thrown away by sailors and migrants coming off the ships in port at Liverpool. This new product was named Spratt’s Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes. This product began to sell well, and soon, other companies followed and began producing baked dog products too.

Another interesting fact to note in the history of kibble is the relationship between the founder of kibble and the founder of one of the largest dog event shows in the world, Crufts. This event is named after its founder Charles Cruft, who was none other than the General Manager of James Spratt’s company. The 1930’s depression prompted dog owners to look to cheaper options for dog food. Fillers such as grains and cereal product were a cheaper method to feed their pets compared to meat.

Canned meat products were introduced during the 1940’s, and in 1943 dehydrated dog food was introduced, with the instructions: “just add water.” The new dehydrated foods had many advantages in a business context. They were more shelf-stable and could be stored in warehouses, store shelves and homes for months. They were packaged, lightweight, and were easier to freight for both businesses and consumer.