Pet Food: Then, Now, and What’s Next

Then: From Table Scraps to Kibble Convenience

Not that long ago, dogs and cats ate what was left over from the dinner table. There was no pet food aisle, and no special formulas. While that may sound unbalanced, it often meant pets were eating real food—meat, vegetables, bones—alongside their humans.

But as society shifted and people moved into cities, the need for convenience gave rise to the commercial pet food industry. Dry kibble was introduced in the 1950s and quickly became the standard. It was cheap to produce, easy to store, and advertised as a complete, balanced meal.

Behind the marketing, though, many of these foods were made with poor-quality ingredients, preservatives, and fillers—designed for shelf life, not long-term health.

Now: The Rise of Real Food Nutrition

Fast forward to today, and pet parents are savvier than ever. With more access to information and a greater understanding of nutrition, they’re asking tough questions about what’s actually in their pets’ bowls.

That curiosity has sparked a major shift. Raw feeding, minimally processed diets, and species-appropriate meals are gaining popularity—not just among holistic pet lovers, but mainstream pet parents who want to prevent chronic health issues and support longevity.

At Steve’s Real Food, we’ve been part of that movement since the beginning. We believe pets thrive when we feed them the way nature intended—with real, whole food that fuels their bodies the way raw diets do in the wild.

Next: The Future of Pet Food

So, where do we go from here?

The future of pet food will likely include more personalization. Technology like DNA-based nutrition may play a role in tailoring diets to an individual pet’s needs. We’re also seeing exciting developments in gut health, microbiome balance, and natural supplementation.

But as science moves forward, one thing is clear: we won’t be replacing real food. Innovation should enhance nutrition—not substitute it.

Pet parents are also demanding greater transparency and sustainability. Clean sourcing, local ingredients, and environmentally responsible packaging will become just as important as protein content. The brands that thrive in the next era of pet food will be the ones that combine innovation with integrity.