Your cat relies on you for their nutritional well-being. As a cat owner, you know the importance of providing your cat with high-quality food. however, many cat owners get confused by terms like grain-free, organic, by-products, etc.
With all the options on the market, how can you determine what to feed your cat? one of the healthiest options available is human-grade cat food, but even this term can be confusing when you start shopping for food. this guide will help you understand what “human grade” really means and how you can choose high-quality foods that support your cat’s health and well-being.
defining human grade cat food
For pet food to be considered human-grade, it must be made in a human food facility and meet the same standards as food made for human consumption. it will use the same quality ingredients as food for human consumption, including fresh produce, whole grains and quality meat.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary organization of government agencies that focuses on laws that control the regulation and distribution of animal feed in the United States. cautions pet owners that “humane grade” is a claim with no official legal definition regarding pet food manufacturing. therefore, pet owners should dig deeper into the ingredients and manufacturing process when choosing a pet food, rather than just being blindsided by bold marketing claims.
Aafco defines human-grade pet food as having two distinct characteristics:
- all ingredients are edible for humans.
- Foods are manufactured, packaged, and preserved following FDA guidelines for safe food manufacturing.
- have ingredients that are safe for human consumption at all times during the manufacturing process
- make pet food safe for human food at a usda inspected facility
- complies with more than 100 safety standards described in the regulation
If a food meets these two statements, it is human grade. if not, then the tag is wrong. Although there are only two steps, both are important: If the food has ingredients that are edible for humans but is processed in a facility that does not meet FDA guidelines for safe food handling, then the food cannot claim to be human grade.
the honest kitchen is the world’s first human-grade pet food to carefully follow both aspects of this definition. With a strict quality assurance program and ingredients that are safe for human consumption, our cat food isn’t just healthy – cats love the taste!
how the fda defines human grade
currently, the fda does not have regulations to define human-grade pet foods. However, it does offer rules for human-grade foods that people eat, just like the USDA. For a pet food to be truly human grade, it must meet these guidelines.
According to the FDA, pet foods must follow FDA regulations 21 CFR 110, Current Good Manufacturing Practices in the Manufacture, Packaging, or Storage of Human Food to meet human-grade requirements. :
Only when a pet food meets all of these criteria can it be labeled as human grade. The safety standards outlined in FDA 21 CFR 110 are quite stringent and can be challenging for pet food manufacturers to follow. This is why so few pet food brands can honestly claim to be human grade; however, the honest kitchen was truly the first pet food manufacturer to follow these strict protocols to produce high-quality, human-grade pet food.
types of human grade cat food
Understanding the definition of human grade is the first step in choosing a good quality cat food, but pet owners should remember that just because something is human grade doesn’t mean it’s something you want to eat. cats and humans have very different definitions of what is delicious. so here’s a closer look at the four main types of cat food that may be human grade.
Human Grade Dry Food
Dry cat food, often called kibble, is one of the most common types of cat food chosen by pet owners. it’s affordable and durable, which is primarily what makes it such a popular choice.
Many kibble-style cat foods have fillers, preservatives, additives, and by-products that put them outside human-grade territory, but you’ll find some products that fit the definition. look for products that list real, whole-food ingredients on the label, and keep an eye out for a quality protein source.
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human grade dehydrated food
Dried cat food is cat food that has had all the moisture removed. Before feeding your cat dehydrated food, you will need to add warm water to it. the dehydration process makes food stable without removing nutrients or over-processing it. this food works well for pet owners who travel regularly, because it doesn’t need to be refrigerated or frozen to stay fresh.
Like human-grade kibble, human-grade dry foods have whole-food ingredients and a quality protein source. carbohydrates will come from fruits and vegetables instead of starches.
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human grade wet food
Wet cat food can come canned, frozen, or in a sealed package and refrigerated. contains some protein sources, broth and water, and a whole-food carbohydrate source, such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, or carrots.
Wet food is beneficial to cats because it contains a high moisture content. this moisture helps cats stay hydrated, which is sometimes a problem if you feed your cat dry food.
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human grade treats
Finally, a cat can benefit from treats to help keep them interested in their food and engaged with you as their owner. You can also use cat treats while training your cat. human grade cat treats will follow the same guidelines as the other foods on this list, but in a tasty little package. treats can also be a source of nutrients not found in regular cat food.
shop for cat treats with limited ingredients and human grade >
what is the best type of cat food?
even within the human-grade food options, there is quite a variety. To find the best type of cat food, look for one that offers a balanced, high-protein diet. consider something that offers a variety of ingredients and flavors, so your cat doesn’t have to eat the same food every day.
The first ingredient listed on the label should be a protein source, because cats are obligate carnivores. this means that they need to eat a diet rich in protein to meet their nutritional needs. consider adding variety through dips or treats, which are an easy way to change up what your cat eats and still meet her nutritional needs.
Keep in mind that cats and humans have very different dietary requirements: Just because a food is safe for a person to eat doesn’t mean it will meet a cat’s dietary needs. similarly, some human-grade foods are not intended for consumption by animals. For example, chocolate is a food suitable for humans, but it is toxic to cats. for this reason, be sure to choose a nutritionally balanced food designed for the unique needs of cats.
what to look for in human grade cat food
Simply finding “human grade” on a cat food label is not enough to ensure that it is a good quality food. You’ll also want to pay attention to the order of ingredients in any cat food that claims to be human-grade: As with ingredient labels on human food, the highest-concentration ingredients are listed first, and the lowest-concentration ingredients are listed first. last listing.
remember, safe human foods are not always nutritionally balanced for a cat’s needs. the best human grade cat food will have the following characteristics:
high-quality protein
Cats have a higher protein requirement than dogs and people. adult cats need at least 12.5 grams of protein per day, and lactating cats need 41 grams. however, not all proteins are created equal. look for foods that have high-quality protein sources, such as meat and fish. While cats enjoy foods that humans can’t, like chicken liver, avoid foods that list meat byproducts on the label; these ingredients are often sub-human grade.
probiotics to support digestion (if recommended)
If you have a cat with a sensitive stomach, consider looking for foods that contain a probiotic. probiotics can aid in better digestion and reduce symptoms such as a sensitive stomach, but always remember to speak to your vet before adding any type of supplement to your cat’s diet. fiber can also aid in good digestion, so consider incorporating high-fiber foods.
amino acids and fatty acids
Cats need 11 essential amino acids in their diet, with taurine and arginine being two of the most important because they’re only found in meat. amino acids only come from your cat’s diet, so make sure they are in the food you feed her.
Fatty acids provide energy and help cats absorb some of the vitamins in their food. they also help keep the coat and skin as healthy and soft as possible. cats need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: adding cat foods with white fish or salmon to your cat’s diet will help add omega-3 fatty acids, and foods with chicken fat or canola oil will add omega -6.
a mix of vitamins and minerals
Finally, make sure your cat’s diet has a mix of vitamins and minerals. The nutritional value of whole fruit and vegetable ingredients, like sweet potatoes and carrots, can help add important nutrients like vitamin a, vitamin d, and niacin.
You may think that carbohydrates are unnecessary in a cat’s diet, since cats are carnivores. however, in the wild, cats consume their entire prey, including the fur, skin, organs, and even the food in the stomach of the prey it was eating, which contains grains, fiber, fruits, and nutrients. therefore, pet food for cats should contain some produce-based ingredients to give the cat a full range of nutrients.
Minerals are also important to a cat’s diet. In the wild, cats consume the bones of their prey, which are natural sources of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride. domestic cats require foods with these nutrients to meet this dietary need.
human grade cat food vs food grade cat food
You’ll come across two basic options when choosing your cat’s food: human-grade food and food-grade food. Human grade cat food will follow the above FDA and USDA guidelines and conform to the AAFCO definition.
On the other hand, food-grade cat food (which makes up the vast majority of cat food options) does not meet FDA standards. it is not safe for humans to consume, and there may be a number of reasons for this, including the way the food is processed. feed-grade food also often contains by-products, fillers, and chemicals that humans shouldn’t consume.
Another feature of food grade cat food is the ingredients that come from 4d meats. The term “4d meats” refers to meat harvested from dying, sick, disabled, or deceased animals, which are the 4ds. Since cats are highly dependent on protein in their diet, feed foods are not usually the best choice due to their ability to have low-quality protein sources.
Choosing cat food can be challenging, but we hope this guide will help you determine the difference between human-grade and food-grade cat food.
make the switch to human grade with honest cooking
As the first manufacturer of human-grade cat food, honest kitchen led the way in helping pet owners provide safe and nutritious food for their cats. The Honest Kitchen cat food has the right content of protein, vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids to keep your cat healthy and strong. Plus, it’s tasty and healthy, as reviewed by real cats! Our store contains a variety of food options, including cat treats, dehydrated foods, grain-free foods, dressings, and bone broths that meet the nutritional needs of cats. Shop The Honest Kitchen cat food products today for delicious, truly human-grade food your cat will love.
