Hard biscuits once made a fine snack for dogs and sailors alike.
Dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, but what about their biscuits? These crunchy snacks are a relatively recent invention, although they are older than any human alive today. While dog biscuits were developed and popularized in the 19th century, the concept behind them is much older.
James Spratt
Ohio resident James Spratt made a living as an electrician and salesman, at least until he began peddling his biscuits at dog shows in London during the 1860s. The novelty of a food product designed specifically for domestic dogs gained traction with Spratt's British customers as he advertised and distributed his product. He called his product "Patented Meat Fibrine Dog Cake" during his first marketing push, according to Houston Animal Acupuncture and Herbs. The success in England opened the way for Spratt to open a company in the United States the following decade.
Earlier Developments
While Spratt is often fully credited with inventing the dog biscuit, it's possible that he was simply the first person to patent and market the idea successfully, according to New York City Doggies. In fact, Spratt's invention was allegedly inspired by sailors feeding leftover biscuits to dogs at a London dock. These biscuits were originally meant for human consumption. They were less perishable than most food in the time period, so sailors brought them on long voyages to ward off scurvy and other ailments caused by malnutrition. It's also possible that human biscuits had been marketed to dog owners in the decades prior to Spratt's patent.
Spratt's Biscuits
While the true origin of the doggie biscuit will likely remain disputed, there is one thing that historians can agree on: Spratt's biscuits were the first great commercial success in the untapped pet food market. He marketed the patented biscuit formula, which included ingredients from wheat, vegetables and meat, as nutritious food suitable for show and sporting dogs. The product sold well in England and was also successfully in the United States when it was introduced several years later.
Recent History
Spratt's business became a publicly traded company after his death in 1880. The company's success in the pet food market prompted competitors to produce various cat and dog chows, biscuits and other edibles throughout the 20th century. F.H. Bennet Biscuits Co. created "Milk-Bone" biscuits for dogs in 1907, while an early form of dry dog chow was introduced by Gaines Food Company in the 1930s, according to Houston Animal Acupuncture and Herbs. General Mills purchased Spratt's company in the 1950s. During the following decades, various companies developed foods for specific breeds, lifestyles and health conditions to cater to niche markets among the constantly growing number of dog owners in America and England.
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