National Dog Biscuit Day

National Dog Biscuit Day, observed February 23rd, celebrates the humble baked treat that helped launch the modern commercial pet food industry. The first mass-produced dog biscuit is generally credited to James Spratt, an American-born businessman living in London, who around 1860 developed "Spratt's Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes," a baked biscuit made from wheat meal, vegetables, and beetroot, after reportedly observing dogs eating discarded ship biscuits (hardtack) on the docks and recognizing a commercial opportunity in producing dedicated dog food. Before Spratt's innovation, dogs were typically fed table scraps or leftover butcher's offal rather than a purpose-made product, meaning his dog cakes represented one of the first true commercial pet food items and a foundational moment in what became a massive global industry. Spratt's company expanded into the United States in the late 19th century, and other manufacturers soon followed with their own biscuit and kibble products, gradually formalizing ideas about canine nutrition over the following century. Dog biscuits today range from simple wheat-based treats to elaborate bakery-style products with specialized ingredients for different dietary needs. On National Dog Biscuit Day, people celebrate by treating their dogs to biscuits, baking homemade dog treats, or learning about the surprisingly commercial origins of pet food.