Paws-itively
nutritious
JIM FAGIOLO
Lab-tested and
Lab(rador)-approved
Kirkland Signature
pet foods
Tracy Schneider fills May’s
consumer reporter slot with
this behind-the-scenes look
at a Costco program. Send your
questions about this article to:
buyingsmart@costco.com.
BuyingSmart
Boone, best friend
of Chris, home office
FRANCE FREEMAN
By Tracy Schneider
FIRST THEY WERE farm animals, then four-legged friends. Today, however, dogs and cats
are often considered members of the family. So
it’s no wonder they have their own furniture,
clothing and even health insurance (see page
57). Pet food has also come a long way since its
earliest days, and Costco’s Kirkland Signature™
pet food formulas are among the most nutritious of the major brands on the market.
86 ;e Costco Connection JUNE 2013
Pet food production in the past
On the farm, every animal had a purpose,
and dogs (herding cattle) and cats (hunting
mice) had to find their own food. When they
became household pets in cities, they were no
longer able to forage for all of their needs.
Commercially manufactured pet food had
its beginnings in the late 1800s. Canned pet
food became popular in the U.S. in the 1930s,
but during World War II, with tin for cans
scarce, dry dog food became the preferred
choice. Dry pet food was originally made in
facilities that produced livestock feed, with lit-
tle regard for food safety or nutrition.
Pet food safety
A salmonella outbreak in 2005 and mela-
mine poisoning in 2007 were responsible for
dramatic improvements in food safety at pet
food manufacturing facilities in recent years.
These incidents pushed the entire pet food
industry to create all-new safety processes
and procedures.
