I am not sure how many people have seen this show, but it is on one of the Discovery channel line ups. I was watching it this morning, when I noticed they were doing a quick show on how dog and cat food is made. Since I have been feeding raw for about three years, I found it interesting.

For those who don't watch the show, it is a half-hour show that shows how the factory makes items. For example, I have seen them do a show on watch making, mirrors, and how tires are made. Three items are made in a half-hour show, so each item is a short 7 minutes long.

Anyways, so they go into how they make dog and cat food. First they show the ingredients: corn, cereal, rice, and another grain product. Then it talks about it being ground up and mixed together. Then it speaks about how is pushed through the die and cut into particular sizes. Then the cut pieces are baked for a certain amount of time. Then, get this, the pieces are sprayed with a mixture of fat and flavoring because the "bland, baked pieces are unappetizing" at this point. SUPRISE! At no point did I ever see meat being added in any form.

Now just so you know, I have noticed the factories they are doing shows on tend to be products that I don't recognise, so I am assuming they are out of the country. This particular dog food was called "First Choice" or "1st Choice". I have never seen or heard of this brand of food.

I just thought people would find this interesting. Again, it is important to realize that it is 7 minutes, give or take, on each items, so I am sure that does effect how you cover how an item is made, but it was again, an eye opener.

'How It's Made' is a Canadian production. So, most of the products featured are from the Great White North.

I saw recently that Mike Rowe, the 'Dirty Jobs' guy is going to do a turn in a Californina plant that processes green tripe.
http://www.freelancenews.com/news/245814-dirty-jobs-films-in-hollister

I could never figure out where the tiems were located. Overall, it is a good show though. Very interesting.

Good link! Thank you.

The Zamboni, hockey stick and snow blower segments give it away somewhat. :-)

Here is a link to How It's Made - Dog and Cat Food

 Quote: Charlie Snyder

I saw recently that Mike Rowe, the 'Dirty Jobs' guy is going to do a turn in a Californina plant that processes green tripe.

I haven't been able to find a season show line-up for Dirty Jobs. There is a commercial out for the new season that shows *something* coming through a grinder.

Can't wait for that one. If anybody knows when it will air, please tell. I will do the same if I find out.

Edited by Michael_Wise (10/06/2008 10:14 PM)
Edit reason: added link

 Quote: heather dzick

the pieces are sprayed with a mixture of fat and flavoring because the "bland, baked pieces are unappetizing" at this point. SUPRISE! At no point did I ever see meat being added in any form.

It would probably be very "unappetizing" if they showed the meat part, assuming there is any meat.

I went ahead and emailed Mrs. Voss of Greentripe.com.

She said that the Dirty Jobs episode will air on Oct. 28.

You'll have to check your timezone for Discovery channel's Dirty Jobs for the time.

Thank you for finding that out! I am going to check it out...

I think 1st Choice is Purina, I've never bought it, but do see it on the shelves in the grocery store quite often.

First Choice Pet Products is a wholesaler. They sell Sojos, Honest Kitchen, Evangers, Natures Nosh. They also sell shampoo and supplements.