Have you ever wondered if your pet's dry food is safe for humans? The food grade concern is quickly climbing up the list of factors to consider when buying pet food, and rightfully so, as the type of food your furry friend eats can affect their overall well-being.

Although many dry pet foods are safe for animal consumption, only a fraction are human grade. Knowing the distinction between the two can help you make a smart choice for your pet.

Here, we take an in-depth look at human grade dry pet food, exploring everything from what it means to be "human grade" to what to look for in available products to determine if they meet the criteria.

The term "human grade" simply means that the associated food is safe for human consumption.

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), every ingredient used in the manufacture of a product with this designation, as well as the product itself, must be handled, processed, stored and transported in accordance with 21 CFR part 117.

This is where the main difference between human grade and feed-grade pet food lies. Feed-grade food just has to be safe for animal consumption — so it may contain byproducts that are safe for animals but not necessarily for humans.

Human grade pet food, on the other hand, has to meet stricter food safety standards and processing requirements. With human grade food, both the ingredients and the manufacturing process have to meet the standards for human consumption.

This means that the ingredients not only have to start off as high-quality and human edible but also be processed in sanitary facilities approved for human food production. The storage and transportation of the final product must adhere to the guidelines for human foods as well.

Feed grade and human grade pet food may contain similar ingredients but of different quality. For example, human grade dog food may have chicken, and feed grade food may contain chicken meal.

Both products are from the same source, but only one would be considered suitable for humans. Pet food manufacturers must show this distinction in their labeling to comply with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) pet food regulations.

While both human grade and feed-grade dog food have to meet certain safety standards, human grade food offers some added benefits that make it worth considering:

• It has a lower risk of contamination compared to feed grade food, since it's processed in sanitary facilities that are inspected and approved by the Department of Agriculture. This could mean a lower risk of adverse reactions to the food.

• Human grade food is typically made with higher-quality meat cuts and nutrient-dense ingredients and may have more nutritional value than feed grade food.

• It can give pet owners some reassurance and peace of mind to know that they're feeding their furry friends food that meets the same safety standards as human food.

While many dry pet foods are considered safe for your little friend, not all are human grade. In fact, many aren't.

Pet food manufacturers that claim to make human grade food must comply with AAFCO's regulations, which are interpreted and enforced by individual states' departments of agriculture.

While specific interpretations may vary from state to state, the bottom line is the same. They must produce the pet food using human edible ingredients in human grade facilities, which must be inspected and licensed as such.

Unfortunately, not all brands are able or willing to meet these requirements, as it often means they must rework their entire supply chain to meet higher safety and quality standards.

They have to invest in human grade meat and whole foods, which come at a steep price. And they must also submit compliance documents for every ingredient used to show that it's fit for human consumption.

Finally, they must have procedures in place to maintain sanitary facilities, mitigate the risk of contamination and handle pathogens that may be present in ingredients, such as salmonella in raw chicken. Meeting these requirements is not only a lot of work but also expensive.

Luckily, there are brands that are dedicated to meeting these requirements, like The Honest Kitchen.

Fun fact: The Honest Kitchen was the world's first human grade pet food brand!

One of the best ways to identify human grade pet food is to look for terms like "human grade" and "Made in a human food facility." Human grade pet food manufacturers typically display these terms prominently on their labels to distinguish themselves from ordinary food makers.

However, don't rely solely on the "human grade" claim on the label. Also check each product's ingredient list to make sure it meets human food standards. Look for foods with high-quality, recognizable ingredients and no ambiguous or confusing terms.

Certain byproducts, like "meat meal" and "chicken meal," indicate feed-grade ingredients. While these ingredients may not be inherently harmful, they undergo significant processing, which can reduce their nutritional value and introduce contaminants.

So we recommend looking for foods with whole food ingredients, like "beef" instead of "meat meal" and "chicken" instead of "chicken meal." It’s also a good idea to look for brands that are transparent about their ingredient sourcing and only use ingredients from countries with strict safety standards.

Proof of third-party testing and verification shows that the dry pet food meets human grade quality and safety standards. So you can look for certifications from reputable bodies like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the FDA, AAFCO or WSAVA.

Brands can make any claims they like, but these organizations use rigorous regulations and testing to make sure those claims are actually true.

If you're looking to switch from feed grade to human grade food for your furry friend, the good news is that you don't have to look too far. The Honest Kitchen offers a variety of options, all of which meet human grade standards — from sourcing to packaging. Some of our most popular dry foods include:

• Whole grain chicken clusters:  This is one of our dry dog food bestsellers because it's veterinary nutritionist-approved and created with high-quality ingredients like chicken, oats, barley and carrots. 

• Grain free whole food clusters:  Available in beef, chicken and turkey recipes, this option is great if your dog has a grain allergy or sensitivity. Like the other foods on this list, it contains 100% human grade ingredients.

• Grain free whole food clusters: If you want your feline friend to enjoy the benefits of human grade cat food, check out our recipes that are full of delicious and nutritious ingredients like free range chicken, wild caught fish, cage free turkey, potatoes, peas and eggs. 

We also have convenient dehydrated options, such as: 

• Dehydrated whole grain:  It's available in four recipes (chicken, beef, turkey and fish), all of which contain high-quality human edible ingredients like bananas, celery, potatoes, oats, carrots and real meats.

• Dehydrated grain free dog food:  If your furry friend has digestive issues after eating whole grain pet food, this could be just the alternative for you. Manufactured with quality ingredients like potatoes, apples, chicken, beef, fish and turkey, this food ensures your dog has the same quality of food as you do. 

Regardless of your choice, you can rest assured that your pet food is not only human grade but also:

• Made in the USA (all our foods contain high-quality U.S. and globally sourced ingredients and are manufactured completely in the U.S.).

• Made without artificial preservatives, feed-grade byproducts, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy. 

• Nutritionally complete and balanced and created by a vet nutritionist

Slow but steady wins the race when it comes to changing your pet's diet. Introduce human grade food slowly by mixing a small amount with your pet's current food. Gradually increase the portion of human grade food over 7–10 days so their digestive system can adjust to the new diet.

Going slow also allows you to monitor them for signs of reactions that could indicate the new food may not be right for them.

Some pets show positive signs, like increased energy or a shinier coat, when they get on human grade food. However, this isn't always the case.

When transitioning, keep an eye on your pet for signs of discomfort or allergic reactions. Some signs that may indicate the food isn't a good fit include itching and gastrointestinal issues like excessive diarrhea or vomiting.

If you notice any of these signs, adjust the feeding amount to see if the symptoms will let up, and consult with a veterinarian to determine if they're allergic to a specific ingredient.

Don't wait till your pet shows signs of distress to schedule an appointment with your vet. Consult with them throughout the transitioning process to make sure you're making the best decisions for your furry friend.

A professional veterinarian can tell you whether specific foods meet your dog or cat's nutritional needs and recommend suitable products. This is especially important for pets with conditions that require special consideration, such as allergies and gastrointestinal issues.

Human grade dry pet food can be an excellent choice for your furry friend. It's made with high-quality human edible ingredients in facilities deemed safe enough to produce human foods, meaning you get to give your pet the same quality of food you eat. 

But it’s important to make sure you purchase from a reputable pet food company that meets all the requirements for the "human grade" designation. 

The Honest Kitchen is committed to maintaining human grade standards throughout the pet food production process. We source our ingredients from well-vetted suppliers and prepare them in our human grade facility, ensuring that our products are not only nutritious but also safe.

Browse our best-selling collection today for high-quality, human grade pet food!