20 Best Human-Grade Dog Foods: Vet-Recommended Brands
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In the world of pet care, the term “you are what you eat” holds as much weight for our four-legged friends as it does for us. As pet parents increasingly prioritize their dogs’ health and well-being, the demand for high-quality, human-grade dog food has surged. This shift is hardly surprising; after all, who wouldn’t want their beloved pets to enjoy nutritious, wholesome meals that mirror their own? So, what is the best human-grade dog food? In this comprehensive guide, I’ve done the legwork to bring you unbiased, detailed reviews of the top human-grade dog food brands available today. I’ve meticulously analyzed ingredient quality, nutritional value, sourcing ethics, and customer feedback to ensure that my recommendations stand up to scrutiny and meet the highest standards of pet nutrition. Let’s dive in!
Best Human-Grade Dog Food — At A Glance
What Is Human-Grade Dog Food?
Human-grade dog food refers to pet food made with ingredients that meet the same quality and safety standards required for food produced for human consumption. This means pet food manufacturers must store, handle, process, and transport every ingredient and final product in a manner consistent with regulations for good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for human edible foods. These requirements are specified in regulatory guidelines stated by the US 21 CFR 117.[1],[2] For instance, one of the requirements is that the manufacturing facility is licensed to produce and handle human food by the appropriate authority.[3]
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees 21 CFR 110 (GMPs) and follows a similar process in determining whether pet foods can be labeled human-grade. The presence of human-grade on a label on pet food implies a product or ingredients may meet the legally recognized edible standard for human consumption.
Is Human-Grade Better Than Feed-Grade Dog Food?
Human-grade dog food is generally higher quality and healthier than feed-grade dog food (traditional kibble). This is because human-grade food adheres to stringent standards for quality, safety, ingredients, and nutritional profiles, which sets a high benchmark for the food’s overall quality. On the other hand, feed-grade pet food is typically filled with fillers, preservatives, meat meals (dead animal meats), by-products, and highly processed ingredients. Additionally, about 95% of dry pet diets are manufactured using extrusion, a cooking process that removes the ingredients’ nutritional value and may cause health problems. In contrast, human-grade dog companies opt for gentle cooking methods and fresh ingredients, surpassing the minimum standards set by the AAFCO and the FDA.
Human-Grade Dog Food Benefits
A human-grade dog food diet offers several health benefits, including helping with food allergies, avoiding additives or harmful chemicals, supporting weight management, promoting cleaner teeth, preventing bad breath, appealing to picky eaters, and boosting energy.
Benefits According to Science Says
How to Pick The Best Human-Grade Dog Food
- Human-grade label: Check the product packaging or the brand’s website for ” human-grade ” claims.
- Opt for fresh food recipes: Fresh food recipes are more nutritious, more palatable, and inherently human-grade.
- Consider your dog’s specific needs: Choose formulas based on age, breed, and health conditions.
- Made in USDA-certified kitchens. Ensure that the dog food is made in USDA-certified kitchens with human-edible ingredients.
- Look for transparency and testing: Reputable brands provide third-party testing, clear sourcing information, and minimal processing.
- AAFCO approved: Ensure the food meets or surpasses the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.
- Look for transparency and testing: Brands should be transparent about their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes.
Always work with your vet before changing your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from an online registered vet nutritionist through Vetster anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about your dog’s nutritional needs. Similarly, an at-home dog gut health test can provide valuable insights by analyzing your dog’s microbiome, helping you determine which nutrients their human-grade diet should contain. Additionally, an at-home dog allergy testing kit can help identify which ingredients may not be suitable for your dog. This information lets you confidently choose the right human-grade diet and care plan to support optimal digestion and nutrition.
Best Human-Grade Dog Foods
Here are our picks for the best human-grade dog foods of this year.
Best Overall Human-Grade Dog Food
The Farmer’s Dog
Who It’s For: Offers the best overall balance of nutrients, ingredient quality, price, customer service, and flavor. Their recipes are perfect for most dogs.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: The Farmer’s Dog wins our best overall human-grade dog food brand because the quality of their food is outstanding. They have tested their food on humans, which speaks volumes about the quality and taste of their recipes. Your dog’s meals are gently cooked from scratch, ensuring all nutritional integrity is retained — this means that your dog gets the healthiest and most nutritious meal with every serving. The Farmer’s Dog recipes are ready-to-serve and come in biodegradable pouches and eco-friendly packaging delivered to your doorstep.
What sets it apart from competitors: The Farmer’s Dog offers an extensive dog profile and diet customization to meet your dog’s dietary needs, calorie intake, age, size, preferences, health issues (i.e., allergies, cancer, and obesity), and more.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“The Farmer’s Dog offers top-notch fresh human-grade dog food that looks homemade and exceeds AAFCO nutrition standards. Our dog tested all the recipes flavors available and he devoured them all without any digestive issues whatsoever. He is more energetic and looks healthier since making the switch.
– Anthony, Head of Product Testing
Our Video Review Experience
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Best Human Grade Dry Dog Food
The Honest Kitchen
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want to feed the highest quality human-grade dry dog food made with human-grade ingredients.
Recipes: Chicken and beef
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: The Honest Kitchen is the pioneer brand of human-grade dog food which was born to help as many pets as possible get on the road to good health. The Honest Kitchen whole food cluster recipes are roasted and dehydrated to preserve nutrients and flavor and maximize nutritional integrity. The Honest Kitchen is a superfood-powered kibble with functional ingredients that support and boost gut, skin and coat, immunity, heart, weight management, and more.
What sets it apart from competitors: Their preparation methods and facilities meet safety standards 7x those of feed-grade. Their food is made in a facility that produces human food.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“We’ve tried countless dog dry dog foods, but nothing compares to The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters. Our dog used to be lethargic and uninterested in traditional kibble, but now he eagerly awaits feeding time and finishes every last bite. It’s heartwarming to see him so happy and thriving!
– Anthony, Head of Product Testing
Our Video Review
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Best Human-Grade Balanced Formula
Nom Nom
Who It’s For: For those seeking the highest nutrition and ingredient quality level.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: While all the human-grade dog food brands mentioned in this review offer balanced recipes that meet dogs’ nutritional requirements for life and function, Nom Nom has taken it a step further by developing a proprietary blend of ingredients called “NomNomNutrient Mix” to ensure meals are completely balanced. This mix provides your dog optimal nutrition and sets Nom Nom apart from other human-grade dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: Nom Nom uses human-grade, restaurant-quality ingredients and is designed by a veterinarian nutritionist.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“Our journey with Nom Nom dog food has been incredible. From the first bite, our dog was hooked. He’s more active, alert, and his coat has never looked better. It’s clear that this isn’t just any dog food—it’s a recipe for a healthier, happier pup”
– Kassie Reid, Caninr Bible Testing Member
Our Video Review Experience
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Most Affordable Human-Grade Dog Food
Ollie
Who It’s For: For dog parents who are on a budget but want to feed premium quality gently cooked dog food.
Recipes: Beef, chicken, turkey & lamb
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: Ollie wins the medal for the cheapest human-grade dog food. Ollie is not cheap by any means, but its prices are slightly lower than those of all the companies in this review. However, the quality of their food is equally good or, in some cases, even better. Each order has a storage container and a scoop to keep your opened packages fresh. For those who want to mix fresh dog food with their dog’s current food, Ollie offers topper plans. They also have dry-human-grade food for a cheaper alternative.
What sets it apart from competitors: All the batches are also tested for quality control and passed through a metal detector to scan for foreign materials.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“In my experience, Ollie stands out in the fresh dog food category for its affordability and value in nutrition and convenience. Since transitioning to Ollie, my dog’s energy, coat shine, and overall health have notably improved. The exceptional quality is evident, the visible pieces of vegetables and meats attest to the food’s freshness. Their recipes resembled “human” food (i.e., I could see the peas, carrots, etc.) and smelled pleasant.”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Get 50% OFF their first Ollie order with Canine Bible’s link.
Best Human-Grade For Puppies
Raised Right
Who It’s For: Human-grade dog food recipes specially made for the growing needs of puppies.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, chicken and more
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: Pet food company Raised Right has a century-old farming and ranching heritage and brings farm-fresh ingredients to its recipes. Raised Right puppy recipes are great for changing your puppy into adult food. They have balanced calcium and phosphorus levels, perfect for healthy bone growth in puppies. It’s filled with healthy fats and carbs that are higher than all other recipes to support the energy requirements of growing puppies. Once your puppy reaches one year, you can start feeding them their adult recipes or another brand of your choice on this review.
What sets it apart from competitors: Raised Right doesn’t use unnecessary high-carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, yam, squash, pasta, barley, parsnips, corn, or wheat. Their recipes also have roughly double the amount of protein than other human-grade brands.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“Raised Right’s puppy recipe has been a game-changer for our little one. Not only does he lick his bowl clean every time, but we’ve also noticed how vibrant and playful he’s become. It’s comforting to know that as he grows, he’s fueled by the best.”
– Victoria Windsor, Canine Bible Testing Member
Our Video Review Experience
Get 50% OFF your first Raised Right order with Canine Bible’s link.
Sustainable Human-Grade Dog Food
Open Farm
Who It’s For: This brand is excellent for dog parents seeking human-grade food made with premium, sustainable, ethically sourced ingredients.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, chicken & more
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: Open Farm Gently Dog Food takes the medal for best sustainable dog food made with human-grade premium ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainable. Open Farm only uses human-grade (humanly raised, hormone-free) meats raised without antibiotics on a vegetarian diet with no animal by-products in feed. Their recipes also include non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
What sets it apart from competitors: The company focuses more on the ethical treatment of animals. Everything in every Open Farm bag is only sourced from third-party verified family farms that employ humane farming practices (ethical farms, fisheries, and producers). Each ingredient can be traced back to its origin.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“Open Farm has truly redefined dog food quality. Every time I serve it, I’m reassured by their commitment to premium nutrition, ethical sourcing, humane treatment, sustainability, and transparency. Personally vetting many brands, I found Open Farm’s ingredient sourcing, by far the best out of all brands we’ve reviewed here. Their dedication to only using top-tier proteins like grass-fed beef and pasture-raised lamb sets them apart. As a pet parent, I value their sustainable and ethical approach, and my dog Lilo clearly enjoys every bite. This is the kind of pet food I’m proud to choose.”
– Anna Jones, Canine Bible Testing Associate
Our Video Review Experience
Best Limited Ingredient Human-Grade Dog Food
Spot & Tango
Who It’s For: If your dog is picky about texture, flavor, and ingredients in his food, this is the perfect choice for you. Also, it is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
Recipes: Beef & millet, turkey & quinoa, lamb & brown rice
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced
Why we recommended it: Spot & Tango is our top pick for the best organic human-grade dog food. The ingredients they source and use to cook their recipes are produced without pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients, sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation.
What sets it apart from competitors: It offers a simple ingredient list. Unlike other pet foods with strange-sounding ingredients, their recipes use limited ingredients such as turkey, carrots, and quinoa, making it an excellent alternative for picky-eater dogs or dogs with food sensitivities.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“Choosing Spot & Tango was a game-changer for our dog’s diet. The organic, limited ingredient recipes ensure he’s getting only the best, without any unnecessary fillers. Every meal feels like a gourmet treat, and we have peace of mind knowing we’re giving him the finest human-grade nutrition.”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Get 20% OFF your first Spot & Tango order with Canine Bible’s link.
Best Human-Grade Wet Dog Food
JustFoodForDogs
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want to feed their dogs soft-textured meals and keep them hydrated, especially those in warmer climates.
Recipes: 7+
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: All ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Key Features
Highest Protein Human-Grade Dog Food
A Pup Above
Who It’s For: Perfect for highly active dogs that require high protein levels to support their activities. It is also ideal for those who want a lean diet to maintain muscle and optimal weight.
Recipes: Beef stew, chicken, porky’s luau, turkey pawella
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced
Why we recommended it: A Pup Above takes the number one spot for the best human-grade dog food recipe with the highest protein count. According to their site, they offer 50% more protein than competitors. This makes their recipes perfect for dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight and want to build healthier lean muscle, skin, and joints.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike competitors in this category, A Pup Above uses a unique cooking method known as Sous Vide. Sous Vide cooking is a culinary technique that involves cooking food in a controlled water bath at precise and consistent temperatures, which helps retain the ingredients’ maximum nutrition, texture, and natural flavor.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“I recently tried A Pup Above for my dog, drawn by their commitment to ingredient safety, transparency, and sustainable practices. Their protein-rich, low-carb meals made from human-grade ingredients and cooked sous-vide with bone broth immediately became my dog’s favorite. The visible health benefits and my dog’s eager anticipation at meal times assured me that A Pup Above is a top-notch choice for pet owners who value both health and taste.”
– Anthony, Head of Product Testing
Our Video Review Experience
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Human-Grade Dehydrated Dog Food
The Honest Kitchen
Who It’s For: A great pick for dogs with digestion or chewing problems. The soft and moist texture favors easy digestion and offers optimal flavor. It’s also great for traveling.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, salmon & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: Adult and puppy
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: The Honest Kitchen human-grade dehydrated dog food takes the first place in this category. Instead of boring chunks of kibble or smelly old pâté, this food is made with dehydrated, human-grade ingredients. Add warm water and wait three minutes for a tasty, homemade meal you and your pets will love.
What sets it apart from competitors: Made using real, whole food ingredients, like free-range chicken, that are gently dehydrated to maintain nutrients and taste.
Key Features
Our Personal Experience
“Who knew that pouring water into The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated mix would feel like a mini cooking show? And the best part? Our dog, sits there, eyes wide, licking his chops in anticipation. It’s not just food; it’s an experience we both look forward to. I love watching our pup do a little ‘dinner dance’ every time I rehydrate his meal, I’m a believer. It’s like I’m whipping up a gourmet dish for him, and judging by his wagging tail, he seems to think so too!”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
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Human Grade Canned Dog Food
Pet Plate
Who It’s For: For those who want the convenience of easy storage, serving, and avoiding doing extra dishes. Pet Plate plastic container can easily be sealed back and stored within your fridge or freezer for later, saving you time and trouble.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork, lamb, venison & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: PetPlate is our favorite human-grade canned dog food due to its versatile plastic container. Pet Plate meals come in pre-portioned, easy-to-serve microwavable plastic containers, which you can use as a bowl if needed. PetPlate appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank in 2016; since then, they’ve become one of the most popular human-grade fresh dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: PetPlate is designed to be highly convenient to store and use. The food container can easily be sealed back and stored with the remaining food in your fridge or freezer for later use.
Key Features
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Other Human-Grade Dog Food Brands
Other Human-Grade Dog Products
Human-grade dog treats. There is no point in feeding human-grade dog food to Fido if you are being counterproductive by providing your dog with low-quality, unhealthy, and nutritious treats. Human-grade dog treats are made under the sample principles as human-grade pet food specified in 21 CFR 117 and conforming to AFFCO, USDA, and FDA guidelines for human-grade pet products. Our favorite human great dog treats include Wag Expedition Human Grade Organic and Spot Farms Chicken Apple Sausage.
Human-grade dog supplements. Your dog’s commercial dog food should provide all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients he needs as long it’s described as complete and balanced on the label. Therefore, you do not need a dog supplement unless your vet recommends one. If your dog primarily consumes homemade dog food or a vegan diet, it is possible he may not receive the nutrition he needs. Your veterinarian should help you develop a plan for supplementing your dog’s homemade food diet. Your veterinarian may advise trying out a multivitamin supplement for your dog. If this is the case, human-grade dog supplements can provide the most optimal supplementation for your dog. Our favorite supplements include PetPlate Soothe Operator Soft Chews for digestive support and PetPlate Up to Fluff Soft Chews for skin and coat support.
Human-Grade Dog Food For Allergies
Dogs with food allergies often find relief by switching to fresh, human-grade diets. Traditional kibble usually contains preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, by-products, or other ingredients that might trigger allergies. Since fresh diets minimize processed ingredients and avoid added chemicals, they can be a better choice for dogs with allergies. We recommend conducting an at-home dog food allergy test. This will help you identify specific allergens that might cause sensitivities in your pet. With this knowledge, you can choose the safest formula for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Our research shows that human-grade food is among the healthiest options to feed your dog. While some contend that “human-grade” is merely a marketing gimmick, we believe the research-backed evidence in this article illuminates the genuine benefits of a human-grade diet for your dog. Consider this: Which is healthier—a bag of kibble that has undergone multiple processes to become edible or fresh ingredients combined in a balanced recipe without chemicals? By transitioning your dog to a human-grade diet, you can enhance their overall health while offering them food they adore. We hope our reviews simplify your decision-making process, allowing you to choose your pup’s next meal confidently. You can also make your human-grade dog food at home. Read our homemade dog food cooking guide to learn more about it.
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Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- FDA. (2023). Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
- AAFCO. (2017). Human Grade Standards for Pet Products: For Manufacturers of Pet Products Certification through the United States Department of Agriculture Auditing and Verification Programs Division.
- New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. (n.d.). Guidelines for “Human Grade” Claim.
- Lippert, G., Sapy, B. (2003). Relation between The Domestic Dogs Well-Being and Life Expectancy.
- Do, S., Phungviwatnikul, T., de Godoy, M. R. C., & Swanson, K. S. (2021). Nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites in dogs fed human-grade foods. J Anim Sci, 99(2), skab028.
- The Farmer’s Dog. (2020). The Farmer’s Dog Announces First Results From Multi-year Feeding Trial. The Farmer’s Dog Digest.
- Tanprasertsuk, J., Perry, L. M., Tate, D. E., Honaker, R. W., & Shmalberg, J. (2021). Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy estimation in commercial fresh and extruded dry kibble dog foods. Translational Animal Science, 5(3), txab071.
- Oba, P. M., Utterback, P. L., Parsons, C. M., & Swanson, K. S. (2020). True nutrient and amino acid digestibility of dog foods made with human-grade ingredients using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Transl Anim Sci, 4(1), 442-451.
- Geary EL, Oba PM, Applegate CC, Clark LV, Fields CJ, Swanson KS. (2022). Effects of a mildly cooked human-grade dog diet on gene expression, skin and coat health measures, and fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs. J Anim Sci, 100(10), skac265.
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