Pet Food Progress
Launched in 2023, the ASPCA’s Pet Food Progress initiative works with leading pet food and treat brands interested in using their purchasing power to support higher-welfare farms and the lives of farm animals.
The Opportunity
An independent nationwide survey [PDF] found that nearly 90% of pet food shoppers would be likely to switch to another brand of pet food if they knew the other brand put more care into where they source their animal-derived ingredients.
Even among those pet owners who don’t look for more humane meat, eggs or dairy when shopping for their own food, over three-quarters would still make that switch when it comes to their pet food brand.
Pet owners are not only looking for food and treats from animals raised more humanely, but are willing to pay more. More than eight out of 10 Americans are willing to pay at least a 10% premium to ensure that pet food brands treat the animals in their supply chain more humanely. Yet, there are so few options.
The ASPCA is uniquely positioned to support the pet food industry to realize this unmet market demand, leveraging our team of farm animal welfare experts and our audience of animal lovers, advocates and pet owners.
The ASPCA’s Pet Food Progress initiative works with pet food companies to source from more humane farms.* The following pet food and treat brands participate in the ASPCA’s Pet Food Progress initiative and have implemented animal welfare changes on at least one product line, visit our Grocery List to view their animal welfare-certified products. Collectively, these brands are paving the way to bring much-needed change when it comes to animal welfare in the pet food industry.
*Pet food brands just starting to improve their sourcing can begin by making meaningful public commitments to improve farm animal welfare in their supply chains and report their progress annually. Once one or more ingredients from a pet food or treat product line have transitioned to source from higher welfare farms, the brand will be considered for inclusion in the Pet Food Progress initiative.
Other Options to Consider
One-third of all meat produced in the U.S. is consumed by dogs and cats. A meaningful way to reduce the impact of industrial animal agriculture is to reduce reliance on animal-derived ingredients. While plant-based diets are not suitable for cats, who are carnivores, incorporating or switching to plant-based pet food and treats for dogs is possible. Several companies now offer nutritionally balanced, plant-based options for dogs, including Bramble, Petaluma, V-Dog, Wild Earth and others.
Emerging Innovation
Precision fermentation, also known as brewing protein, is an emerging method for producing proteins, identical to those found in animals, without raising or slaughtering animals. Companies like Bond Pet Foods use microorganisms like yeast to create specific animal proteins — such as those found in chicken or beef — through a controlled process that can then be incorporated into pet food recipes. Recent research found that brewed protein ingredients are safe and digestible for dogs, though research and regulatory evaluation are still in process. This method may offer an alternative way to produce consistent, high-quality ingredients for our four-legged friends without supporting factory farming.
What You Can Do
- Find brands that offer at least one product option recognized by the most meaningful animal welfare certification programs by using the pet food section of our Grocery List.
- Visit our Label Guide to learn what to look for when shopping for pet food in-store or online.
- Sign up for our Factory Farming Task Force to learn about pet food companies making progress for farm animals, plus find out other ways you can help us build a kinder and more sustainable food system.
- If you work in the pet food industry or are a higher-welfare farmer looking to learn more about the ASPCA’s work and resources, please contact us at [email protected].
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