Dog food labels are labyrinthine to navigate. With words like ‘natural’, ‘premium’, ‘raw’, and ‘veterinarian recommended’ being thrown around constantly, how are you supposed to know what’s best for your pup?

Human-grade is a term that actually means something.

It might sound like a buzzword, but this label carries real weight. Let’s break down what human-grade dog food actually is, why it matters, and the brand that’s leading the pack (hint: human-grade dog food brand Ollie is miles ahead of the competition). 

Human-grade dog food, explained

For a dog food to be human grade, two big boxes need to be checked in terms of high-quality ingredients and safety standards. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO):

1. The ingredients must be safe for human consumption
2. The food must be prepared, stored, and transported using facilities that meet the same safety standards used for human food

That means that unlike vague marketing terms, the phrase ‘human‑grade’ is backed by real rules and high standards. So no mystery meat, heat-blasted kibble, weird chemicals, or byproducts. No processing in pet food factories. Just whole foods like beef, peas, carrots, and blueberries prepared in USDA-regulated kitchens. 

Ollie only uses human-grade ingredients in their dog food, and cooks it in small batches in human-grade facilities. No shortcuts and no weird stuff. Just real food your dog will get excited about eating. 

What are the benefits of human-grade dog food?

Human-grade dog food comes with real benefits that you can see and your pup can feel.

Top-quality nutrition 

When food is minimally processed and made with whole ingredients, more of the natural nutrients are preserved and are easily digested. In Ollie’s recipes the nutrients come from the ingredients themselves, such as gently cooked chicken, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Many conventional dog food brands, especially ultra-processed kibble, use synthetic ingredients, chemicals, additives and fillers to meet nutritional standards. Yuck. 

Gentle on digestion

Hands up if your pup’s gas has ever cleared out a room? Been there. Doggy digestion gets a boost when you feed human-grade food. Fresh, minimally processed foods are gentler on the gut, and dogs tend to absorb nutrients at a much higher rate than they do from heavily processed food. When you switch your dog to Ollie, it’s likely you’ll see fewer tummy troubles, firmer, smaller poops (as your dog is ingesting fewer fillers), and more mealtime enthusiasm. 

Better hydration

Fresh human‑grade meals hover around 75% water content. Dry kibble often has just 10% water content. That's a big hydration boost, especially for dogs who don’t drink much water independently. 

The potential for a longer, healthier life

Dogs fed fresh, whole food diets have been shown to live longer than those eating processed alternatives. You could get up to two extra years of morning cuddles, outdoor adventures, and welcome home tail wags by switching your pup to Ollie. 

What should you look for in human‑grade dog food?

There are a lot of tall tales being spun on dog food labels out there. Here’s what you should check for to know you’re getting the highest, human-grade standard (or you could cut out the guesswork, and just try Ollie already). 

Complete, balanced, and AAFCO-approved: Meeting this standard means that the food provides all the essential nutrients dogs need for each life stage. Ollie works with veterinary nutritionists to ensure these crucial standards are met. 

Recognizable, pronounceable ingredients: If the multi-syllabic ingredient list has you turning to Google, that’s not a good sign. The words on the back of Ollie’s fresh meals? Things like kale, pork, apple, and chia seeds. We all know what those are. Guess which type of ingredients are better for you?

Transparent sourcing: Brands like Ollie are transparent in their sourcing because high standards are important to them. Ollie carefully sources ingredients from trusted growers and producers around the world, and cooks them in US kitchens. Conventional dog food brands are often obscure about where their ingredients come from, how the food is prepared, and even who’s formulating the recipes.

Human-grade food can cost more, but it’s worth it

It’s true that human-grade dog food is often more of an initial expense than a giant bag of grocery store kibble. The trade-off, though? Measurable, visible quality that’s paid back to you via a healthy, happy dog. Plus, Ollie’s Health Screenings make it easy to check in on your dog’s health, from digestion to weight to skin, coat, and dental care, giving you peace of mind and personalized next steps from our expert team. Investing in food that actually supports your dog’s long-term health feels like a no-brainer.

Ollie makes it easy to hone in exactly what type of food suits your dog best thanks to their personalized meal plans. You can alter as you go along and even start off with a trial box to see how your pup takes to it before committing. All convenience, no waste. 

Why switch to human-grade dog food?

Human-grade dog food isn’t a trend. It’s a true upgrade that will improve your dog’s life through high-quality ingredients, safer preparation and handling, and real health benefits. Switching to Ollie’s human-grade dog food doesn’t just provide the most wholesome nourishment for your best friend, it provides peace of mind and happiness. And that’s priceless.