PetZet

When you’re reaching for that box of biscuits did you ever wonder, who came up with this?  Not to worry, p-z’s investigative team is on the case.

The first dog biscuits were, developed during the late 1800’s in a London butcher shop by accident.  According to the story, the shop’s owner was endeavoring to expand his business by offering a new kind of biscuit for his customers.  Unfortunately the biscuits were a complete failure…for humans.  His dog on the other hand gobbled them up and came back for more.  Thus was born the idea of creating a biscuit for just for dogs fashioned in the shape of a bone.

In 1908, the butcher’s recipe was purchased by an American businessman who introduced it to the United States.  The F.H. Bennett Biscuit Company was born and the recipe patented, selling dog biscuits under the name of Malatoid. In 1915 the rather unappealing name was changed to reflect it’s main ingredient… milk.  And Milkbone was officially born.

The Milkbone brand dog biscuit was acquired by Nabisco Biscuit Company and dominated the dog biscuit market until the late 60’s.  In fact, during most of this time it was the only commercially available dog biscuit.  Initially marketed as a treat, it eventually highlighted the health aspects such as cleaner teeth and better breath.

In the United States alone, the dog biscuit snack market has grown to over $480 million in yearly sales.  And among the hundreds of brands, an oldie but goodie.

Milkbone.

photo credit: thinkstockphotos.com