But just because pet products and animal testing both involve animals, it doesn't mean they must be tied together. When we refer to animal testing in the pet food world, we're talking about laboratory animals being subjected to invasive tests. This is, I believe, what many animal testing advocates fail to recognize. Sadly, animal testing facilities often conduct unspeakably cruel and inhumane studies.
In this post, I'll list 35 cruelty-free pet food companies and give you options for dog food as well as cat food. But first, I want to tell you what animal testing for pet food involves.
Pet Food & Regulations
The thing is, nothing ever has to be tested on animals. Not even pet food.
Advancements in technology are allowing scientists to use microchips instead of animals to test drugs, questioning the necessity of any animal testing for any purpose.
But pet food is highly regulated in the US by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Organization). In addition to the nutritional analysis, the food has to be fed to live animals. This is called a "feeding trial".
Feeding Trials In Laboratories
In 2003, an undercover PETA investigator filmed dreadful footage inside a feeding trial laboratory. The animal testing was commissioned by renowned industry giant Iams.
The footage shows sick, neglected suffering cats and dogs confined to small cages. Dogs were thrown on the floor after their vocal chords were cut off and their back-leg muscles removed. A dog was found dead, bleeding from his mouth in his cage. The footage also showed laboratory workers talking about a live cat that had been washed down the drain. (You can read the full story via Uncaged.)
Has anything changed since? Yes and no. Thankfully the conditions are better, which isn't to say they're ideal.
Companies To Avoid
The following pet food brands still conduct laboratory feeding trials and/or test on animals in other ways. They are not cruelty-free.
- Iams (owned by Procter & Gamble)
- Hill's Science Diet (owned by Colgate-Palmolive)
- Pedigree (owned by Mars)
- Purina (owned by Nestle)
- Friskies (owned by Nestle)
- Natural Balance
- Blue Buffalo
- Whiskas (owned by Mars)
- Eukanuba (owned by Mars) Sheba
- Bakers Complete (owned by Nestle)
Humane Feeding Trials
Today, some companies choose not to conduct feeding trials on laboratory animals. These companies provide cruelty-free dog and cat food. To be in compliance with the AAFCO, these smaller, alternative trials must adhere to the following rules:
- conducted on at least 8 healthy dogs, of at least 1 year old
- the trial must run for at least 26 weeks
- the dogs must only eat the trial food, and their daily consumption must be recorded
- the dogs' weight be tracked weekly and they must undergo blood tests throughout the trial
Since these trials are not performed on laboratory animals, they do not involve animal testing. Some companies' employees will sometimes volunteer their pets for feeding trials. The pets will be weighed daily, but there's otherwise no change of lifestyle involved.
Cruelty-Free Dog Food Options
The companies below don't use laboratory animals as part of their feeding trials. They only perform humane and non-invasive feeding trials. For cruelty-free dog food, try:
Cruelty-Free Cat Food Options
Cat lovers, I've got you covered as well! Please keep in mind that unlike dogs, cats can't thrive solely on a vegan diet. They require taurine, which can only be obtained from animal-based proteins. If you're choosing a vegan food for your cat, you might want to consider a taurine (or meat) supplement. Here are some cruelty-free cat food options:
35 Cruelty-Free Companies
Need more choices? I'm going to end this post with a list of pet food companies that don't test on animals.
- Almo Nature
- The Honest Kitchen
- Weruva
- Flinch River Ranch
- Halo, Purely For Pets
- Yarrah
- Solid Gold
- V-Dog
- Stella & Chewy's
- Nutri-Vet
- Burns
- Pooch & Mutt
- Fish4Dogs
- Happy Dog Food
- Holistic Blend
- Newman's Own Organics
- CaniSource
- Fromm Family Foods
- Pet Guard
- Feline's Pride
- Oma's Pride
- Dr. Harvey's
- Primal Pet Foods
- Dingonatura
- Dynamite Marketing
- Timberwolf Organics
- Artemis Pet Food
- Pet Chef Express
- PoshNosh
- Bravo Raw Diet
- Raw Advantage
- Azmira Holistic Animal Care
- Sojourner Farms
- Sauder Feeds
- Veterinary Nutritional Formula
- Wysong Professional Diets
Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free?
Download our list of 600+ verified cruelty-free brands straight to your device. Bring it with you everywhere you go, and never worry about supporting animal testing again. Click here to download
Wow! I only came across this post now and I’m glad I did. Never would’ve thought that they test on animals in the pet food industry! Thank you for the research, unfortunately I live in South Africa and a lot of the cruelty free brands mentioned aren’t readily available but hopefully I will come across some of them. Thank you
Do you have any information about Royal Canin?
Here’s the thing: AAFCO is NOT a regulatory organization. It’s composed of volunteers who set the standards in the pet food industry itself. They are not held responsible by any government agency, and pet food is not required to have human grade ingredients. Rendering factories can use any grade meat for pet food and say it’s “real meat”. It is, but there’s a good chance that cheaper brands are using spoiled or otherwise unfit-for-human-consumption meat. It’s nasty. Also, most of the brands you’re listing as cruelty-free have formulas that slowly kill cats and dogs over time because of the ingredients that are in them. They are NOT balanced diets. Many of the ingredients have no nutritional value and the food formulas contain less than 10% meat content, a good portion of which have less than 3% meat. Just an fyi.
Thanks for the info!
Open Farm should be added to this list as well. They are endorsed by Certified Humane, and so are Aspen Ridge and Blue Goose.
I’ve never heard of anyone of these CF brands here in Brasil and I work with animals..that’s sad.
Hi Suzy, there are many many pet food companies. Are the one’s on here truly the ONLY cruelty-free companies, or are they the only that you are familiar with? I feed my dogs Dr. Tim’s food and my cats Blue Buffalo (which I will be switching asap). Are you familiar with Dr. Tim’s and do you know if they are cruelty-free? I could not find anything on the subject on their website. Thanks! http://drtims.com/
Update: I emailed myself and got a response VERY quickly…
HI Christy;
Feeding trials involve my own kennel and they enjoy it a lot. No cruelty here.
Thanks for the email.
—
Tim Hunt,DVM
Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Pet Foods
Whole Dog Journal List of Approved Dry Dog Foods 2011-2017
http://www.drtims.com
906-249-8486
I think that speaks for itself! Is that enough information to be added to the list?
How about Rachel Ray’s Nutrish?
This was very helpful, but now my question is this, where does the meat come from that they use and how were those animals treated?
Just wanted to say that I have fed my cats Blue Buffalo for years and I just went to their website because I simply couldn’t believe that they test on animals. Based on their website, they do not do the invasive testing mentioned above:
Do you do any animal testing?
Blue Buffalo does not do any invasive animal testing. Our company was founded on the basis of providing the best possible nutrition for dogs and cats, and we treat our pets like family members. We do conduct trials in which our products are fed to pets, but only under conditions that are healthy and comfortable for the animals.
I always assumed that my pet food was going to be fed to pets prior to ensure that they will like it. Am I incorrect? I hate to change my cat’s food if I don’t have to, but I’m curious what your thoughts are on this.
Last I checked, Blue Buffalo also funds pet cancer vivisection experiments. When I wrote and asked about it they stopped responding. Had to stop buying it, unfortunately.
Hey! I’ve recently started the switch to cruelty free and your site has helped so much! I know I’m late to this page but do you know if the publix generic pet food brand is cruelty free?
I’m in the UK and my dogs are fed with Lily’s Kitchen. Do you have any information about their testing policies please? I thought I was doing so well but seeing this has made me feel less confident.
Does anyone know what the deal is with Petropics/Tiki Cat?
Hi: Did you ever get a reply regarding Tiki Cat? I do not find them on PETA’S list, either.
I feed my dog Blue Basics and I am also finding it hard to believe that a brand that puts so much emphasis on animal well being and only giving quality products, along with actually making quality food that when I read the ingredients I don’t need a dictionary, would do anything like what Peta caught in the Iams lab. I could understand if maybe they aren’t registered or don’t meet some super specific criteria to have an official cruelty free label, but I need more information. We went through hell trying to find something that worked for my pup’s sensitive stomach and I need rock solid evidence that they are doing something immoral before I put him through the difficult process of trying to find some thing new.
Please, can there be some clarification as to how and why exactly it ended up on this list?
From Blue Buffalo’s website
“Blue Buffalo does not do any invasive animal testing. Our company was founded on the basis of providing the best possible nutrition for dogs and cats, and we treat our pets like family members. We do conduct trials in which our products are fed to pets, but only under conditions that are healthy and comfortable for the animals.”
source: https://bluebuffalo.com/frequently-asked-questions/#question10
Hi: I avoid their cat food. In many of their products, white potato is the filler, which is really bad for cats. Most contain very little, if any veggies, which are important in a cat’s diet. I have learned that pea protein, what many companies use in order to claim “grain free,” is equally as damaging. Blue is not on PETA’s list of companion friendly, nor on this one. What I would question is Blue’s choice of the word “invasive.” This is a fancy way of skirting the issue. Possibly Blue’s choice of a word that avoids meeting some super specific criteria of being full fledged invasive. It’s sad we have to play a game of semantics, however we do. I was told once told to go to Sephora for cosmetics. I asked the store manager if the company tested on animals and she told me know, which was a half truth. A half truth is a lie. They test on their products that are sold in China. In your case, I don’t blame you for going through the process of finding something new for your dog. It’s brutal for both the animal and his family. I know, I have been there. From where I sit, I can only say you do what’s best for all concerned. For the moment, I am grateful I do not walk in your shoes. I hope your dog continues to do well.
Do you know if Good Natured pet food (its a petsmart brand) tests?
I cannot believe blue buffalo is on this list…I just don’t believe it. Is there an update…a source for this information? Proof? My cats only eat BB and my little one actually gets sick eating anything else (even if all natural and the very best ingredients). I also only use BB litter, my daughter is allergic to the clay litter and I think it’s awful. Corn and wheat litter is disgusting and so is the recycled paper option. I worked very closely blue buffalo in the past, and I find this very hard to believe. I made still have some contacts that work there and cam ask for proof of the their testing methods? For a company that claims to care so much about animams…this is very concerning.
Blue Buffalo is also on the PETA list of brands that conduct animal testing.
This blows my mind! I ran across this post by accident and decided to start switching my dog from Blue Buffalo to Holistic Blend. Thank you for sharing!
Did not see my brand of dog food on either the “good” OR the “bad” list. Can you give me some feedback on “Taste of the Wild” dog foods please? I use the Wetlands formula for my 2 large breed Weimaraners.
But… it’s pet food. Of course it’s going to be tested on animals!
This is a great list, but I’m curious about the animals that actually go into the food as well. My understanding is that Orijen kills the animals humanely. Anyone else have any information on any other dog food company that is humane from start to finish?
Open farm is certified humane raised and handled. This brand is on Peta’s Do Not Test List.
Do you have any lists of pet food that is made from animals raised ethically and humanely?
Open Farm is the only one I know of.
Does natures variety test on animals that’s what I feed my dogs right now.
Do you have an info on Orijen or Arcana?
Hi suzi, thanks for providing so much helpful information. I do feed my cats Blue Buffalo and they are doing well on it. Changing and trying to find pet food that works well for all 3 cats is a tough mission. I went to Blue Buffalo site and this is what it says about animal testing. Back to Top
Do you do any animal testing?
Blue Buffalo does not do any invasive animal testing. Our company was founded on the basis of providing the best possible nutrition for dogs and cats, and we treat our pets like family members. We do conduct trials in which our products are fed to pets, but only under conditions that are healthy and comfortable for the animals.
Would you be satisfied with this answer or do you have any other information about them that I should look into? I use only cruelty free products and do the same on my 3 cats this would include what I feed them.
Thanks so much,
Houda
I am wondering about Wellness . Does anyone know what category they fall into? That is what I feed my cats .
I use wellness for my dog and actually just looked it up. They do use feeding trials, but do so with their own dogs/cats and no surgical procedures are performed. They said they are cruelty free, but don’t qualify for the peta certification due to the feeding trials. But I feel that since they trust this process enough not to cause harm to their own pets, I can trust enough in them. They also said that they only use food grade ingredients. Hope this helps.
Thank you , I appreciate the reply.
I never knew that pet food could be tested on animals, my cat sadly eats Whiskas, does anybody know of any cruelty free brands that are sold in Europe?
U can allways buy on internet or buy YARRAH, for sure is sold in Europe.
Hi, I have a senior kitty with IBS who is currently on Purina’s HA hydrolyzed, which is a prescription diet with hydrolyzed protein. Is there a comparable product available that isn’t tested on laboratory animals?
Hopefully someone can help! Please leave a comment if you know. 🙂
I make my cat food using free range boneless, skinless chicken thighs, bell and evans chicken livers and get the nutritional supplement from Alnutrin. Much less expensive than high quality canned food and i can feel safe that it’s cruelty free. Cats are not vegans.
I really love that you’re sharing this, and especially that these products aren’t vegan diets. I do disagree with a below comment in regards to dogs being able to eat and process vegan diets, BUT, meat-based diets aren’t as much of a necessity for dogs as they are for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores.
I’m a future-vegan myself, but I used to feed raw, and plan to raise animals for my dogs. I know many don’t and will never agree, but if I do it this way, I know EXACTLY where my pets’ food is coming from, I know EXACTLY how the animal was treated, and I will be able to know 100% that the animal died painlessly. I just find myself being unable to trust any other brands anymore. 🙁
Anyways, I happened upon here because of your cruelty free and vegan makeup post. Thank you so much for sharing products that are cruelty-free! I’ve never been into makeup, but I’ve decided recently that I’d really like to try it out – mostly for the fun eye makeup!
Thanks again for spreading awareness! I hope in the future we see more cruelty-free beauty products! (:
Thank you April! I’m hoping to be able to post more beauty reviews so I hope you find what you’re looking for. Makeup’s fun! 😉
How do you know dogs can’t process vegan diets? Have you had a vegan dog and had it tested? I have and they are all not just fine but their blood tests are improving as time goes by! The falsehood that dogs can’t be vegan has been rebuked over and over and it’s time to admit the truth and update pre-conceived ideas. As for Cats and everyone on here continually “warning” against a vegan diet for cats, I just laugh because although partly right, those “warning” have no idea what it is cats “need from meat”. The most important nutrient that cats get and “need big time” from their food is TAURINE. Without it, cats will become very sick and possibly die. Yes, Taurine is naturally found in animal products and obviously vegan cat food isn’t going to use Taurine from an animal therefore some very intelligent people created “Synthetic Taurine” which equally as good. Now, wait for it, here’s the part that has me in stitches, almost all, if not all, cat food on the market doesn’t have Taurine from animals because it’s been destroyed in the process because quality of the meat is soooooo bad, diseased and rotten that all natural Taurine has already been destroyed…. and here’s the punchline, the Taurine cats get from cat food has “Synthetic Taurine” added otherwise the cat food you are all buying would be useless to your cats. Not only that, but the products used in pet food are so damaged that they also have to add a whole load of other nutrients and vitamins because they’ve been stripped and are not present in the garbage they put in pet food.
Now if you want the real reason a vegan diet may not be the best for “some” not “all” cats is because certain cats have urinary tract problems, resulting in the development of crystals and blockages in their bladders, but if a cat is not “already” prone to those problems they will “thrive” not “survive” but “thrive” on a vegan diet.
My Yorkie Elvis (R.I.P.) who was not vegan and thanks to the most expensive, veterinarian foods I kept shoving down his throat had exactly that problem and many others caused by the food I fed him. For 16 years I thought I was giving my dogs the best money could buy and I was killing them, giving them by products of rot, disease and waste!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but too many are quick to give opinions on things they know nothing about and have not researched or even tried personally. It would be nice if every now and then, everyone could think outside the box and perhaps admit they don’t know it all. In the past 6 years I have done extensive research, hands on tryouts and learnt so much that it would make your head spin. I’ve rid myself of pre-conceived ideas and opinions because let’s face it, we all think we know what we’re talking about all the time but we don’t. You learn something new everyday. Once upon a time we thought cows milk gave us calcium, now we know it depletes us of calcium, we thought meat gave us protein whereas now we know its carcinogenic and we can get all the protein we need from plants, we thought we could only get B12 from animals and now we know that the B12 is injected into animals and after being processed and finally cooked by us we no longer have B12 to absorbe… and on and on and on. We’ve been told so many lies whilst growing up that we have given the meat, dairy and egg industries FREE MARKETING at our own expense when we continue to spread their lies as if they were our own truths.
Dogs and Cats can THRIVE on a vegan diet, dogs more so but all it takes is for owners to not be lazy, do their research and ensure their pets get everything they need, that’s all!
CVT here. You must be joking. There is no possible way for a cat to thrive off a vegan diet. First off, you clearly have never heard of 4 yr old cats dying of dilated cardiomyopathy from being fed a vegan diet all their lives. Cats require a large amount of protein compared to dogs and their bodies will eat away at their own heart muscle to get it. It’s not a painless way to go either. Also, the feline digestive tract cannot adequately digest plant proteins which leads to enteritis because their bodies literally have plant material rotting in their digestive tracts.
I, and many others in the veterinary medical field who took oaths to help out any animal in need and educate the public, would greatly appreciate if you wouldn’t spread false information that leads to the undue suffering of innocent animals. Good day.
I feed my dog Natures Recipe and I’ve been researching if it’s it’s cruelty free but I haven’t found any information that confirms whether it’s cruelty free or not.
Can anyone help me out?
But other than that great article and it’s very informative.