Eating Pet Food – Surprising Health Facts

by Ghoema November 22, 2023 · Health

In the U.S., nearly 80 million households include a pet, predominantly cats or dogs. This substantial number has fueled a $21 billion pet food industry. But if faced with dire circumstances, like a post-apocalyptic scenario, could humans safely consume their pets’ food? While not particularly appetizing, most pet foods are technically safe for human consumption, but with significant caveats worth exploring.

The Domestication of Dogs and Cats

Dogs, believed to be domesticated from wolves during the Ice Age, originally approached human settlements for leftover food. Cats, on the other hand, were likely domesticated around 3000-10,000 years ago, with their role in pest control in agricultural societies cementing their place alongside humans. These domestication processes have significantly altered both animals’ physical and behavioral traits over millennia.

Evolution of Pets and Their Dietary Needs

Domestic dogs and cats have evolved with distinct dietary needs different from their wild ancestors. Dogs, for instance, require more fat as their primary energy source, along with protein and carbohydrates, and are capable of producing their own vitamin C. Cats, being obligate carnivores, require animal-based proteins and cannot produce certain vital nutrients like taurine, which is crucial for their health. This distinction is crucial in pet food manufacturing, where dogs’ diets are more aligned with human food leftovers, while cats require a more meat-based diet.

The Composition of Commercial Pet Foods

Commercial pet foods are formulated to meet these specific dietary requirements. Dog food often includes byproducts of human food production, tailored to their needs. Cats, however, face a dilemma with many dry cat foods relying on plant-based proteins and lacking sufficient moisture. This can lead to health issues like diabetes and kidney problems in domestic cats. The key in choosing the right pet food lies in understanding the ingredients list and ensuring it meets the specific nutritional needs of the pet.

Can Humans Eat Pet Food in Emergencies?

Returning to the initial question: in emergency situations, consuming pet food is technically possible for humans. However, it is not nutritionally ideal and is designed for the dietary needs of pets, not people. In a survival situation, it might serve as a temporary solution, but it’s far from a suitable or healthy long-term diet for humans.

Insights On Food Safety

Nutritional Mismatch: Pet foods are specifically tailored for the dietary requirements of animals, which are significantly different from humans. For example, dog food typically has a higher fat content and specific nutrient ratios that do not align with human nutritional needs. This mismatch can lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances if a human consumes pet food over a long period.
Protein Content: Dog foods generally have a higher protein content than what is typically recommended for a balanced human diet. Excessive protein intake can strain human kidneys and may contribute to the development of heart disease and elevated cholesterol levels due to the high fat often associated with protein sources in dog food.
Vitamin C Deficiency: Unlike dogs, humans cannot synthesize Vitamin C and must obtain it from their diet. Prolonged consumption of dog food, which typically lacks Vitamin C, can result in deficiencies leading to conditions like scurvy, characterized by symptoms such as weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages.
Food Safety Concerns: Pet food manufacturing processes and standards differ significantly from those for human food. This difference can increase the likelihood of foodborne pathogens being present in pet food, posing a risk to human health if consumed.
Ingredient Quality: The ingredients used in pet food are often of a lower grade than those in human food. Feed-grade ingredients may include parts of animals that are not typically consumed by humans, like certain organs, bones, and cartilage, which may not meet human food safety standards.
Risk from Raw Pet Food: Raw pet food diets, which may include uncooked meats, pose a high risk of containing harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli. These bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal illnesses in humans, making raw pet foods a particularly risky choice for human consumption.
Freeze-Dried Raw Foods: Even though freeze-drying reduces the moisture content that bacteria need to thrive, it doesn’t always kill all harmful pathogens. Therefore, freeze-dried raw pet foods still carry a risk of bacterial contamination.
Fresh Cooked Pet Food: Some pet food brands offer fresh cooked options using human-grade ingredients. While these are generally safer for human consumption compared to other pet foods, they are still formulated for dogs, not humans, and thus are not suitable for human dietary needs.
Vitamin A Overdose: Many pet foods contain high levels of animal-based Vitamin A. Excessive intake of this vitamin can be toxic to humans, leading to serious health issues, particularly for pregnant women. In humans, too much Vitamin A can cause liver damage, neurological symptoms, and skin issues.

While an occasional taste of pet food is unlikely to be harmful, it is not a viable option for human sustenance over the long term. The nutrient profile of pet food is not designed to meet human dietary needs and can lead to significant health risks if consumed regularly.

The primary concern addressed was the nutritional mismatch between pet food and human dietary needs. While it’s tempting to view our furry friends’ meals as a potential emergency food source, we’ve learned that pet food, especially dog food, is formulated with a nutrient balance vastly different from what humans require. This mismatch can lead to significant health issues over time, like elevated cholesterol or even heart disease, due to the higher protein and fat content in pet food.

Food safety emerged as another significant concern. Pet food processing and handling standards differ from those of human food, raising the risk of foodborne illnesses. This is especially true for raw pet foods, which can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli, posing severe health risks.

While pet food might not be immediately harmful in small quantities or in emergency scenarios, it is not a suitable or safe option for regular human consumption. This journey through the world of pet food has affirmed the importance of understanding and respecting the distinct dietary needs of humans and pets alike, ensuring the health and well-being of both.