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== History of Pet Food Manufacturing ==

== History of Pet Food Manufacturing ==

More than 2,000 years ago, Roman poet and philosopher Marcus Terentius Varro wrote the first farming manual advising that farm dogs are fed barley bread soaked in milk, and bones from dead sheep (Harrison, 1918).  During the Middle Ages, it was common for European royalty to have kennels for their hounds. Kennel cooks would make huge stews typically containing grains and vegetables with some meat and leftovers such as heart, liver, and lungs of various livestock.  In contrast dogs in common households had meagre diets being fed only what their owners could spare; a typical dog's diet at the time consisted of crusts of bread, bare bones, potatoes, cabbage, or whatever else they could scavenge from their environment.

More than 2,000 years ago, Roman poet and philosopher Marcus Terentius Varro wrote the first farming manual advising that farm dogs are fed barley bread soaked in milk, and bones from dead sheep<ref name="Harrison">Harrison, F (1918). '''"Note Upon the Roman Agronomists"'''. Roman Farm Management. New York: The Macmillan Company. pp. 1–14</ref>.  During the Middle Ages, it was common for European royalty to have kennels for their hounds. Kennel cooks would make huge stews typically containing grains and vegetables with some meat and leftovers such as heart, liver, and lungs of various livestock.  In contrast dogs in common households had meagre diets being fed only what their owners could spare; a typical dog's diet at the time consisted of crusts of bread, bare bones, potatoes, cabbage, or whatever else they could scavenge from their environment.

Through the 19th century there is evidence of growing interest in understanding how to feed dogs.  For example, in 1861, The Complete Farrier (Lawrence) gave extensive advice on feeding dogs, stating:  

 

The dog is neither wholly carnivorous nor wholly herbivorous, but of a mixed kind, and can receive nourishment from either flesh or vegetables. A mixture of both is therefore his proper food,[11] but of the former he requires a greater portion, and this portion should be always determined by his bodily exertions.

 

Through the 19th century there is evidence of growing interest in understanding how to feed dogs.  For example, in 1861, The Complete Farrier <ref name="Lawrence">Lawrence, R.  (1861) '''''The Complete Farrier and British Sportsman'''''. Published by Thomas Kelly, London.

</ref> gave extensive advice on feeding dogs, stating:  

 

 

''The dog is neither wholly carnivorous nor wholly herbivorous, but of a mixed kind, and can receive nourishment from either flesh or vegetables. A mixture of both is therefore his proper food,[11] but of the former he requires a greater portion, and this portion should be always determined by his bodily exertions.''

 

 

That said, it was not until the mid-1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, that commercial foods developed specifically for dogs were first documented. According to reports, a chance happening on an English quayside around 1860 changed the way dogs (and subsequently cats) would be fed across the world forever. James Spratt is accredited as the founder of pet food as we know it today. Originating from Cincinnati, Ohio, Spratt travelled to England with the aim of selling lightening conductors to the British.  On arrival at Liverpool docks Spratt observed dogs around the port scavenging for discarded ship biscuits.  In that moment Spratt saw the opportunity for biscuits designed for dogs and started to manufacture and sell dog biscuits made from vegetables, beef blood, wheat and beetroot.  Following success of this product in England Spratt returned home and in the 1870s introduced his product to wealthy American dog owners.   

That said, it was not until the mid-1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, that commercial foods developed specifically for dogs were first documented. According to reports, a chance happening on an English quayside around 1860 changed the way dogs (and subsequently cats) would be fed across the world forever. James Spratt is accredited as the founder of pet food as we know it today. Originating from Cincinnati, Ohio, Spratt travelled to England with the aim of selling lightening conductors to the British.  On arrival at Liverpool docks Spratt observed dogs around the port scavenging for discarded ship biscuits.  In that moment Spratt saw the opportunity for biscuits designed for dogs and started to manufacture and sell dog biscuits made from vegetables, beef blood, wheat and beetroot.  Following success of this product in England Spratt returned home and in the 1870s introduced his product to wealthy American dog owners.   

The invention of canned pet food arrived later, in the early 20th century.  In 1922 the Chappel Brothers of Rockford, Illinois, introduced Ken-L-Ration, the first canned dog food, in the United States.  The Chappel brothers subsequently established a canning facility in England that was purchased by Forrest Mars in 1934 and Chappel brothers became Chappie Limited.  Canned dog food manufacturing continued in the UK through World War II and canned cat food was introduced in 1950.     

The invention of canned pet food arrived later, in the early 20th century.  In 1922 the Chappel Brothers of Rockford, Illinois, introduced Ken-L-Ration, the first canned dog food, in the United States.  The Chappel brothers subsequently established a canning facility in England that was purchased by Forrest Mars in 1934 and Chappel brothers became Chappie Limited.  Canned dog food manufacturing continued in the UK through World War II and canned cat food was introduced in 1950.