According to several sources, including the Pet Food Research Institute and the Federation of European Pet Food Industries (FEDIAF), the first commercially prepared pet food was by businessman James Spratt around 1860 Dry dog ​​food product launched in the UK. The first recipe developed by Spratt reportedly included a mixture of wheat flour, vegetables, beetroot and beef blood.

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As the Industrial Revolution helped the economy grow and a middle class emerged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, domesticated dogs and cats were elevated from working animals to companion status and gradually welcomed into human households. In 1917, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an organization of state and federal regulatory officials in the United States, included content specifically for pet food in its model bill for the first time, and the United States began to regulate pet food and feed separately. AAFCO established the definition of "complete and balanced" pet food 52 years later in 1969. This may be largely due to a better understanding of canine and feline nutritional needs due to research conducted by pet food companies such as Purina in the early 20th century. In 1926, Purina established a research farm in Gray Summit, Missouri, to study animal nutrition. The farm includes the first-ever canine nutrition center. That same year, Purina launched their first dog food, Purina Dog Chow. "Since its founding, Purina has been committed to using science to better understand how to improve the health and well-being of pets," said Susan Anderson-Bauer, Purina archivist in St. Louis, Missouri. "Over the years, Purina scientists, nutritionists Homes and veterinarians have made groundbreaking discoveries to help dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. Before commercial pet foods were available, pets often ate table scraps or anything they could forage on their own. Malnutrition is common in many pets, and disease and short life spans are common. In recipes and advertised ingredients dating back to the early 1930s, key ingredients highlighted in early iterations of Dog Chow include meat, wheat germ meal, buttermilk, cod liver oil, barley malt, molasses, oatmeal, corn cereal and wheat bran. Dog Chow was originally produced in small dry cubes called "checkers." Over the years, recipes have continued to evolve as more knowledge and access to ingredients improved. Not only has Dog Chow endured for 95 years, it joins many other successful Purina brands, and the company continues to innovate and evolve the original brand. In the 1950s, Dog Chow was the first commercial pet food produced using extrusion technology to form kibble shapes, replacing "checkers" cubes. This technology, developed by Purina, provides an expanded dry kibble with superior nutrition, digestibility and palatability and is now an industry standard practice. “In addition to this, Purina develops proprietary machinery and technology in-house to bring innovation to life,” said Anderson-Bauer. "In the early 1980s, Purina developed a special manufacturing process that precooks the meat before passing it through the extruder. This allows the company to offer pet foods with meat as the main ingredient. In 1965, Purina was the first company to create puppy food that was specifically formulated with the extra protein and nutrients puppies need to develop and grow during the critical first year of life. In 2018 and 2019, Purina launched new formulas under the brand - Dog Chow Complete Adult With Real Beef. Offering an additional protein option in the dry dog ​​food range, the brand added Dog Chow Wet High, made from real meat. Protein and 40 grams of protein per can, and has become the fastest growing category in pet food. 1. Research Foundation "When Donald Danforth, son of Purina founder William H. Danforth, joined the company in 1920, he had a strong appreciation for science and advocated for expanding our research and development capabilities," said Anderson-Bauer. It's worth noting that while Purina is best known for pet nutrition, there are many pet experts dedicated to the scientific understanding of pet behavior and pet welfare. "Purina takes a holistic approach to pet health, with nutrition being a key building block," explains Anderson-Bauer. "Collectively, the company employs more than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians and pet care experts to ensure our commitment to unparalleled quality and nutrition. Over the decades, Purina's extensive resources devoted to research have resulted in several groundbreaking studies and nutritional breakthroughs, and Purina reports have been scientifically proven to improve pets' quality of life and, in some cases, even extend their lives. These include a 14-year lifespan study of dogs that demonstrated the importance of staying lean from puppyhood through life. This lifespan study led to adjustments in recommended feeding amounts. "Purina was the first to use this knowledge to recommend feeding less food than previously recommended," says Anderson-Bauer. Additionally, in 1999, Purina established the Canine Reference Family DNA Distribution Center, which operates worldwide In collaboration with institutions studying the canine genome, this has led to major follow-up innovations based on new understandings of genomics. Most recently, Purina conducted research on protecting the brain health of older dogs, as well as a nine-year study of cats. Research shows that feeding a specific nutrient blend can extend cats' healthspan

After 10 years of research, another recent finding from Purina found that cat food formulated with an egg ingredient that contains Fel d1 antibodies can. Mitigates major feline allergens that cause adverse reactions in humans

2. Meeting human expectations People increasingly view their pets as important members of the family. This has led many pet owners to adjust their food preferences. , expectations and philosophy projected onto pet food. "For many years, Purina has been able to provide dogs and cats with complete and balanced nutritional options that meet the nutritional needs of pets first and the expectations of pet owners," Anderson-Bauer. Says. Purina introduced Fit & Trim, the first over-the-counter weight loss diet for dogs, to fitness-focused consumers in the 1980s as pet owners sought premium or gourmet products. Fancy Feast gourmet food, Pro Plan features real meat as its number one ingredient, and Purina ONE is the first super-premium pet food available in supermarkets. With a broad product portfolio across the globe, Purina continues to meet the needs of today's pet owners looking for the right food. Their important attributes include sustainably sourced natural, simple and uncomplicated ingredients. "For more than 90 years, Purina has been guided by our purpose of enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them," said Anderson-Bauer. . A company has to do many things right to remain a leader for nearly a century. For Purina, it may be a true passion and love for pets, a foundation in science, and a passion for innovation. The result of dedication and commitment to quality and safety.