What did they feed dogs before? - briefly
Before modern dog food was developed, dogs were typically fed table scraps and leftovers from their owners' meals. This often included bones, raw meat, and other human food waste.
What did they feed dogs before? - in detail
Before the advent of commercial dog food, the diet of dogs was primarily determined by their role in society and the availability of resources. In ancient times, dogs were often fed scraps from their owners' meals, which typically consisted of grains, vegetables, and small amounts of meat. This practice continued throughout much of human history, with dogs serving as companions and workers rather than pets in the modern sense.
In agrarian societies, dogs were often given a diet rich in cereals such as wheat or barley, supplemented with vegetables like cabbage or turnips. Meat was a luxury item and not commonly fed to dogs unless it was part of a hunt or as a reward for performing specific tasks. In some cultures, dogs were also fed dairy products like milk or cheese, which provided essential nutrients.
During the Industrial Revolution, the diet of dogs began to change as new food sources became available. Factory workers often brought home leftover bones and offal from their jobs, providing a more protein-rich diet for their canine companions. Additionally, the rise of urbanization led to an increase in street dogs that scavenged for food, surviving on discarded waste and whatever they could find.
The concept of commercial dog food emerged in the late 19th century as a response to both the growing concern for animal welfare and the need for a convenient and balanced diet. The first commercially produced dog food was developed by an electrician named James Spratt, who noticed that dogs in the London docks were eating hardtack (a type of biscuit) thrown overboard from ships. Inspired by this observation, he created a product called "Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes" in 1860, marking the beginning of the modern dog food industry.
In summary, the diet of dogs before the advent of commercial food was largely dependent on their role within society and the availability of resources. Scraps from human meals, cereals, vegetables, and occasional meat were common components of a dog's diet throughout history. As societies evolved, so did the feeding practices for dogs, leading to the development of commercially produced dog food in the late 19th century.