Why Trust Matters: Examining the 2025 ‘List of Pet Foods We Trust to Give Our My Own Pets’
When it comes to the health and well-being of our pets, trust in the food we provide them is paramount. This is why the 2025 “Foods I Would Trust to Feed My Own Pets” List has become a valuable resource for discerning pet owners. It’s not just a list; it reflects rigorous evaluation, transparency, and commitment to quality.
What Sets This List Apart
The brands featured on the 2025 List voluntarily participate in an extensive vetting process, providing detailed documentation about their ingredient quality, sourcing, and manufacturing practices. Human-grade ingredients, humane sourcing, and the absence of fumigants are just a few of the key criteria that set these brands apart.
For raw pet food manufacturers, these standards represent an opportunity to showcase their transparency and dedication to pet health. Yet, some of the most recognizable names in the raw food category are notably absent. This raises an intriguing question for retailers and consumers: why would a trusted brand opt-out or refrain from participating in this transparent evaluation process?
The Value of Transparency
Retailers understand the importance of trust when recommending products to their customers. Lists like this offer valuable insight into the practices and values of the brands you carry, making it easier to align with those that prioritize quality and transparency.
Not being included on the List doesn’t necessarily mean a brand falls short of standards, but it does raise questions. In an industry where trust is earned through openness, why wouldn’t a company voluntarily submit to such scrutiny? Retailers and consumers should feel empowered to ask these questions and seek the transparency they deserve.
What This Means for Retailers
For independent pet retailers, the List is more than just a consumer guide; it is a tool to differentiate quality brands and educate customers. As pet owners increasingly seek trustworthy brands, highlighting why you carry specific products and how they meet high standards can help build loyalty and confidence in your recommendations. This approach sets your store apart from the competition.
A Challenge to the Industry
The absence of some major raw food brands from the 2025 List reminds us that not all pet foods are created equal. It also challenges the industry to embrace transparency and demonstrate its commitment to pet health through actions, not just marketing. As consumers, retailers, and advocates, we all play a role in raising the standard for pet food quality.
Even if you haven’t reviewed the List, it’s worth considering what it represents: a commitment to quality, a dedication to transparency, and a promise to do better for our pets. After all, the foods we trust to feed our pets should be what we proudly recommend to others.
Niaomi Maundrell
Director of communication and brand strategy
