Doc Holliday Was, In Fact, A Deadly Dentist

Summary

---

Ridiculous History — "Doc Holliday Was, In Fact, A Deadly Dentist"

Podcast by iHeartPodcasts
Air Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown
Super Producer: Max Williams

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Ridiculous History dives into the whimsical and winding history of commercial dog food. With their trademark blend of banter, curiosity, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Ben, Noel, and Super Producer Max explore how humanity went from table scraps to scientifically marketed dog diets and, along the way, discuss how the industrial revolution, marketing, and cultural shifts shaped what (and how) we feed our furry friends. The episode is equal parts historical exploration, comedic riffing, and reflection on modern pet culture.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dogs and Their Diets through the Ages

• Personal Dog Food Anecdotes

  • The hosts share lighthearted stories about accidentally eating pet food as kids or by mistake at work.
  • "I certainly ate most of one before realizing that something wasn't quite right. My teeth are healthier than they've ever been, though. So sharp and clean." — Noel (01:36)

• Ancient Canine Diets

  • Dogs were historically not coddled as pets but were workers—herders, protectors—and ate whatever humans could spare or what they could scavenge.

  • Earliest evidence of intentionally prepared dog food: a recipe from a Roman farming manual dating to 2000 BCE, detailing diets of barley bread soaked in milk, bone soup, and even bones.

    • "Your dogs are not your furry companions. Instead, they're sort of like indentured servants. Well, if we're putting it honestly, they're like slaves." — Ben (09:17)
    • “The food of dogs is more like that of man than that of sheep.” — Marcus Terentius Varro, paraphrased (10:20)

  • The expression "don't bite the hand that feeds you" is theorized to stem from feeding practices and the need to keep working dogs both nourished and loyal (12:13).

• Medieval Shifts

  • By the 14th century CE, wealthy European aristocrats treat select hunting dogs to better diets—bran, bread, meat, bean broth, even buttered eggs and goat's milk (14:16).

    • “I'm bullish on buttered eggs and goat's milk for sure.” — Noel (14:26)

  • In the medieval Islamic world, social and religious perspectives led to strict feeding schedules and types of food based on the season (14:59).

• Poverty, Plagues, and Table Scraps

  • In times of scarcity, most dogs in Europe ate only the most meager leftovers; nutrition for animals rarely took priority over feeding humans (19:27).
    • “Am I going to feed my human children or am I going to feed the dogs? 100%.” — Ben (19:27)

The Birth of Commercial Dog Food

• The First Dog Biscuit — James Spratt

  • Industrial Revolution (mid-1800s): New middle class emergence means more disposable income and more “pampered” pets.

  • 1860: James Spratt invents one of the first commercial dog biscuits after observing sailors feed dogs hardtack in England.

    • "He comes up with his banger idea. One of the first commercialized doggo treats. The name didn't age well. The name is Spratt's Patent Meal Fabrine Dog Cakes." — Ben (26:31)
    • "He needed to take that one back to the wood shop a little bit." — Noel (26:35)

  • The original recipe: a mix of sweet meals, vegetables, beetroot, and beef blood.

  • Early marketing claims: promises of shinier coats, better stamina, cleaner teeth, and, somewhat dubiously, “freedom from all objectionable odors.”

    • “Now that one I call a little BS on or should I say DS?” — Noel (29:44)

  • The rise of print advertising and direct mail—Spratt's savvy business tactics targeted dog lover institutions like the American Kennel Club (27:31).

    • “Insist on Spratt’s. Only Spratt’s. Nothing but Spratt’s. Dog cakes. For your dog’s sake and for your own.” — Ben (30:08)

• Mid-20th Century Consolidation: Tin, Kibble, and Corn

  • 1922: The market expands, with products like Ken L Ration—made of horse meat—dominating canned dog food before WWII tin rationing tilts demand back toward dry food.

    • "By the mid-1930s, 50,000 horses per year are slaughtered to make the product." — Ben (34:58)

  • 1956: Purina uses cereal manufacturing technology (extruders) to launch Dog Chow, the first kibble, but initial use of corn as a main ingredient is controversial.

    • "Cereal is kind of like dry dog food for humans." — Ben (36:32)
    • “Why didn’t they like corn? Corn’s not that bad…I guess it just doesn’t have the meat.” — Ben (38:55)
    • “Corn is filler mostly." — Noel (39:06)

  • The marketing campaign pushes the narrative that only specialized, scientifically-formulated food is responsible dog parenting (39:39).

Skepticism, Marketing, and Modern Trends

• The Grift of Kibble and Changing Attitudes

  • The hosts dig into how the dog food industry leverages science, health claims, and veterinary endorsements to sell expensive specialty foods, replacing the old norm of feeding pets table scraps (39:39).

    • “The main grift of dog food as we know it today is a culmination of ridiculous history. It’s a marketing ploy.” — Ben (39:39)
    • "But it doesn't really behoove the industry if you're not out there buying those 50 pound bags of kibble." — Noel (41:13)

  • The episode closes with the acknowledgment that many pet parents today return to “home cooked” diets for their dogs—lean meats, grains, and veggies—much like their ancestors did.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Banter about Eating Dog Food (Accidentally Or Otherwise)

  • "I certainly ate most of one before realizing that something wasn't quite right. My teeth are healthier than they've ever been, though. So sharp and clean." — Noel (01:36)

• On Dogs as Workers in Antiquity:

  • "Your dogs are not your furry companions. Instead, they're sort of like indentured servants. Well, if we're putting it honestly, they're like slaves." — Ben (09:17)

• First Dog Biscuit Branding:

  • "He comes up with his banger idea. One of the first commercialized doggo treats. The name didn't age well. The name is Spratt's Patent Meal Fabrine Dog Cakes." — Ben (26:31)

• Cereal/Dog Food Analogy:

  • "Cereal is kind of like dry dog food for humans." — Ben (36:32)

• Marketing Skepticism:

  • “The main grift of dog food as we know it today is a culmination of ridiculous history. It’s a marketing ploy.” — Ben (39:39)

---

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Insight | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:46 | The hosts’ personal “eating dog food” stories | | 06:26 | Early canine domestication and feeding practices | | 09:17 | Roman farming manuals and first dog food recipes | | 14:16 | Aristocratic hunting dogs’ medieval diets | | 19:27 | Plagues and poverty—table scraps as common dog food | | 20:04 | Industrial Revolution and rise of middle-class pet culture | | 26:31 | James Spratt and invention of the dog biscuit | | 34:58 | Ken L Ration and the era of canned horsemeat dog food | | 36:32 | Purina, the cereal industry, and the invention of kibble | | 39:39 | Marketing and the “grift” of commercial dog food | | 41:13 | Return to “home cooked” meals for modern pets | | 42:20 | Lighthearted “what dog would you be?” roundtable with Max |

---

Tone and Style

The hosts blend historical facts with sharp, witty banter and a skeptical take on how commerce shapes culture. Their affection for dogs—and irreverence for marketing claims—come through in both the research and their playful tangents.

---

Takeaways for Listeners

• The specialized dog food industry is a relatively recent (and highly marketed) phenomenon.
• For most of human history, dogs ate whatever people ate—or whatever was left over.
• Through the lens of ridiculous history, even something as ordinary as kibble is an invention shaped by class, technology, and clever advertising.
• There’s a cyclical return toward feeding dogs “real food,” just as people have done for millennia.

---

If you love history, humor, and dogs—or if you’ve ever wondered why dog food is the way it is—this episode delivers both hearty laughs and thought-provoking trivia.

Transcript

[A]

Ridiculous History is a production of iHeartRadio. Welcome back to the show, fellow ridiculous historians. We can't wait to hear from you on this one. Just off mike, we were talking with each other and I asked the question, Noel Brown, super producer Max, have any of us eaten dog food?

[B]

Max said, maybe once on a dare. No, definitely. Definitely on a dare. Definitely on a. Okay. Oh, yeah, I know I've done. Done with cat food also, but, like.

[A]

You know, you're like, you're a dumb kid. You're like, oh, let's do it.

[B]

But never for sustenance. Never like, oh, this is my meal for the day.

[A]

Okay, Noel, you've got a story as well.

[B]

Oh, only that back in the day when we used to get snacks at one of our early offices, our delightful office manager, who we still work with to this day, but is in a different position, much more on the content creation side, who's an awesome human being. Tamika Shout out. I think she accidentally put in an order for some doggy chicken jerky chew sticks that were mixed in with the, you know, human meat stick type things. And I certainly ate most of one before realizing that something wasn't quite right. My teeth are healthier than they've ever been, though. So sharp and clean.

[A]

So that is dull brown. I have been bullets.

[B]

It was fine.

[A]

It wasn't.

[B]

No, something was wrong. I didn't eat the whole thing. I got about halfway through when I realized I'm gonna need to look a little closer at this label.

[A]

And yeah, that's our super producer Max. And we got super into the idea of dog food.

[C]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[A]

Everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's just a regular guy.

[D]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes, and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know, those scary breathing, interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking, and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more at don't sleep on OSA.com.

[B]

This information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company man. People really love Harry Potter. And you too now can experience Harry Potter stories like you've never heard them before on audible.

[A]

Yeah, that's right. Harry Potter. The Full Cast Audio Editions presents J.K. rowling's iconic series as a phenomenal spel listening event for your entire family.

[B]

The first story in the series Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is available now, with new audiobooks in the series releasing every month thereafter.

[A]

It's Harry Potter like you've never heard it before. Listen on audible go to audible.com HP1 and start listening today.

[C]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming [e-mail] Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. Push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processor for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search power [e-mail] Lenovo.

[A]

Lenovo.

[C]

No, it's not too soon to start holiday shopping. Ulta Beauty's early Black Friday event is happening now through November 22nd. Shop $10 beauty minis from brands like Mac and Too Faced. Take 30% off Lancome and Touchland fragrances and body mists. With new offers dropping every week, our associates can help you find the perfect gifts. Head into Ulta Beauty today to shop our early Black Friday event. Ulta Beauty Gifting happens here.

[B]

I turned off news altogether.

[A]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[B]

It's the rage bait.

[A]

It feels like it's trying to divide people. People, we got clear facts. Maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. Now look, not everybody likes dogs, but we are without apology, a very pro canine shit.

[B]

Big time. Yeah, it's funny story. I think I've maybe mentioned on this pod before. I've sort of got a co dog named Apollo who I get to spend some time with. He's here right now and yesterday I realized I didn't have any dog food left. So I just cut him some nice tasty little bites of the steak that I was making for myself and he loved it.

[A]

Oh yeah. Yeah. The one of the most privileged dogs I have ever met is my old man's dog. Now my old man is kind of a, as you know, Noel, he's kind of a Colonel Kurtz character, but never.

[B]

Heard it but quite like that.

[A]

But I see what you mean. Yeah, you, you've interacted with him so he, he has a lovely little Shizu named Leo. Leo eats better than any of us ever will.

[B]

Well, I mean a lot of people out there love to make, you know, their own blend. They, they make like, almost like a beef stew situation.

[A]

I love a blend.

[B]

I. I love. We all. We do love a blend. Because of course, early canine domestication did not involve kibbles or wet food of any kind. It involved, like, feeding them either from the table or having them do some hunting and feeding themselves, or feeding them much more lean proteins and meats.

[A]

Oh, and let's also shout out our earlier episode on the domestication of doggos.

[B]

Fascinating.

[A]

It's wild, right?

[B]

Also, an early episode that we did on the idea of spit turn dogs.

[A]

Oh, no, vegetable dogs. Ah, you're right.

[B]

You know, the ones that were like little schnauzers type that would like, like run on a conveyor belt to turn these spits of dripping meat that they themselves were not allowed to partake of. For the. The drunken revelers in the, in the, in the pub, the public houses of days of yore.

[A]

What a parable about economic disparity in capitalism, Noel. Research suggests that dogs were domesticated probably around 16,000 years ago, but that was after they had been hanging out with humans in some version for more than 30,000 years. When the cadids, or when the dogs we call them now, when they move to official domesticated status, as you were saying, they no longer hunt for their food, so their human pals start feeding them or take responsibility for their diets. If you look around now, and this one is for the dog lovers, folks, if you look around now, you'll see any number of things you can feed your pooch. Dry kibble, maybe a soft wet food from a pate can as a treat, perhaps. Yeah. Or you can even get some online services to mail you a specific subscription diet for your pet. It's weird. This is why it's ridiculous history to us. Until quite recently in the grand scheme of things, human owners did not really think about how to best feed their canine friends. Instead, it was like, hey, here are the scraps. You know, go eat this. If you haven't found a rat or a duck or whatever you eat outside.

[B]

Well, the old trope of the dog just getting the last bits of meat off the bone, which is apparently an awful thing to do for a dog, is they can get splinters that, you know, they ingest and it can cause.

[A]

I lost a Chihuahua.

[B]

Real problem. Exactly. They can cause real digestive problems, if not outright choking or, you know, death. I'm sorry to hear that, Ben, but it's true. It wasn't really so much of a front of mind thing, this idea of like, what should we feed the dogs? So that they can flourish. It was literally, they were like the. The pig in the Flintstones that was under the garbage that was acting as the garbage disposal.

[A]

Yeah, it's 11. If we go back to 2000 BCE, we see the first published or documented recipe for what we would call dog food. It is a Roman farming manual. During this time. Look, your dogs are not your furry companions. Instead, they're sort of like indentured servants. Well, if we're putting it honestly, they're like slaves. They're meant to herd livestock, protect the sheep and goats and whatnot from predators. And the Romans said, hey, we gotta feed these pooches so they can do a good job protecting our investment.

[B]

Yeah, pretty relatively for the time. Smart fellow by the name of Marcus Terentius Varro in his manual Farm Topics, which sounds like a podcast. Linda Richmond. Yeah, whatever.

[A]

Can we host? Can we make farm topics?

[B]

I don't know that we're subject matter experts enough in the ways of agriculture, but Marcus was, at least to a degree, and he had opinions that some of which still track to this day. In terms of dog nutrition, he said the food of dogs is more like that of man Check. Than that of sheep. You could or should rather feed them barley bread, however, not without soaking it in milk, I guess, to soften it up. They're also fed on a bone soup. And this is the part that gives me the willies or even broken bones as well. And now, you know, we do see bone stand in materials, rawhides, et cetera, that they do say are good for the dog's teeth to make them stronger. But broken bones is a bad idea. Even if it wouldn't be an immediate issue, it might even be like something that would, you know, it's like eating ground up glass or something. You might not die right away, but over time it's not going to be good for your guts.

[A]

And overtime is a great point here because our pal Marcus also notes that hungry dogs are not only physically less capable of protecting the flock, but they are also less trustworthy. If you have ever traveled to a part of the world that has a bunch of stray dogs, you've seen this. A hungry dog does feel cornered, just like a hungry human. It might bite its the things it treats as friends. It also might betray its one north star, its guiding principle, which is to protect the flock of sheep or goats. It might just eat one because it's hungry.

[B]

This is where the old expression don't bite the hand that feeds you has to have come from. Varro did advise against Feeding dogs the meat of sheep lest they get a taste for it, you know, definitely don't want them. I don't know. You know, a hungry dog is going to probably go for a sheep. As you know, a hungry cat will eat the eyes of its owner if left without food for long enough.

[A]

Yeah. And Romans still were human, right? Despite being great plagiarist of the Greeks, they understood that the way you, you win affection with your doggo is to give them a little treat. So our buddy Marcus describes a good old fashioned bone as kind of like a frozen peanut butter Kong toy. Let him chew it and then get the marrow inside.

[B]

That's right. Yeah. That's for sure. It's nature's Kong toy. Their jaws, he said, are spread with greater force and the savor of the marrow makes them more keen.

[A]

So where does the shift from employee non human to pet companion occur? We know that by the 14th century CE, really rich people started having great romance with their hunting and hawking dogs. If we're talking about, you know, greyhounds, pointers, English setters. If you go to folks like and I, I can't believe this is still the real guy's name. If you go to folks like the French aristo, Count Gaston iii, then you see he wrote a hunting guide that says dogs have to get a little bit of bran bread and meat from a hunt. And if they're sick, you have to take care of them.

[B]

Cool check. He also says they should have more nutritious foods like bean broth, buttered eggs and goat's milk.

[A]

I'm super into all three of those.

[B]

I'm bullish on buttered eggs and goat's milk for sure. Meanwhile, in the medieval Islamic world, they also were starting to get some ideas around dog nutrition. Medievalists.net pointed out that the Islamic world had this concept of dogs being considered unclean animals and therefore that they should not be kept as pets. However, people with financial means still had them around for hunting, for safety and for animal herding.

[A]

Yeah. According to the Arab boffins, at the time, during the fall and winter months, dogs should only be fed once a day around sunset. Otherwise the dogs will not be fit enough when the hunt begins the next morning. So the idea is that you can't feed them too much because they'll get lazy if it is. However, the hotter time of the year, spring and summer, dogs have to get fed little snacks, small portions, several times a day. Usually meat soaked in beef soup, maybe a little bread and milk.

[B]

Meat soaked in beef soup. That's kind of putting a hat on a hat there, isn't it?

[A]

Very much so, yeah. It would also need to be served not piping hot. It's got to be tepid or cold because otherwise, according again to the boffins of the time, if you feed them hot stuff, they're going to throw it up.

[B]

Okay, check. Man, people really love Harry Potter and you too now can experience Harry Potter stories like you've never heard them before on audible.

[A]

Yeah, that's right, Harry the Full Cast Audio Editions presents J.K. rowling's iconic series as a phenomenal, spellbinding listening event for your entire family.

[B]

It is quite the romp. The Full Cast Audio Editions features a spectacular a list cast including Hugh Laurie. I think we all love. We love Hugh Albus. Yeah yeah. House. Dr. House, MD, as Albus Dumbledore and Riz Ahmed as Severus Snape.

[A]

Folks, this one is just phenomenal. For any fellow longtime Harry Potter fans, this is a delightful new way to introduce the stories to a new generation.

[B]

The first story in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, is available now, with new audiobooks in the series releasing every month thereafter.

[A]

It's Harry Potter like you've never heard it before. Listen on audible go to audible.com HP1 and start listening today.

[C]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming table [e-mail], dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. Push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search power [e-mail] lenovo.

[A]

Lenovo everybody knows Shaq, but off camera he's just a regular guy.

[D]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know those scary breathing interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more at don'tsleeponosa.com this information is.

[B]

Provided by Lilly, a medicine company. I turned off news altogether.

[A]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[B]

It's the rage bait.

[A]

It feels like it's trying to divide people. We Got clear facts. Maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America.

[B]

And dub.

[A]

Here we have the limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.

[B]

Fascinating.

[A]

It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[B]

Uh, limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[A]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[B]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts so unfortunately though, back in Europe some dog owners were folks with very little means. They weren't able to, you know, treat the nutrition of their dogs with much priority.

[A]

Am I going to feed my human children or am I going to feed the dogs 100%?

[B]

So we had all kinds of gnarly things happening around this time including plagues, famine, ergot poisoning, just to name a few. So we are talking about at the very, very most, dogs getting fed table scraps, bits of bone, leftover trimmings of cabbages and beans and you know, the, the most discarded bits like crusts of bread. I love a crust of bread by the way.

[A]

You love a crust. I know that about you. I know you will never, never would.

[B]

I have a crust cut off of my PB and J.

[A]

No, I mean just think of the time. So anyhow, we know that if we fast forward from the ancient eras to 1860 we meet a businessman named James Spratt S P R A T T. He introduces the first doggo snack, dog biscuit. It's the Industrial revolution which as we know began in England coincided reign of Queen Victoria right before the industrial revolution. To your earlier point Noel, England was mainly divided, right?

[D]

In.

[A]

A cartoonish study of wealth disparity, there was a society of lower class farmers, most of the people, and then a very tiny eensy bit of upper class aristos.

[B]

Talking about the 1% of the 1% of the 1%. Ben.

[A]

Of the 1% of the 1% of the 10%.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

No middle class to speak of, not really. Until modern businesses, factories, right, they create a mercantile middle class. Now you got secretaries, you got accountants, middle managers. Middle managers. You have artisans. This is a new rank of consumers and they come with a little bit of disposable income so maybe they can feed their pooches a bit better.

[B]

And of course it opened up a whole new market in terms of more bespoke nums for our furry Children.

[A]

I love num nums.

[B]

I love fur babies.

[A]

I love the name that we're about to reveal to you folks. Economist. This is his real name, Mill. NFR Craft.

[B]

How many legit.

[A]

How many initials should a person be allowed to have in their name?

[B]

I'm going to say three.

[A]

Cool.

[B]

Well, just made it. Nfr.

[A]

This guy is right at your threshold. I know, I know.

[B]

Oh, I was going to say two, but I don't know.

[A]

NFR Craft, he just won you over.

[B]

I think he did win me over. He also won over the British crown with his stats. Yeah.

[A]

He found that British income, as a result of the Industrial Revolution, rose per person from about $400, adjusted for inflation, in 1760 to $430 in 1800. So people are making something like 30 more actual dollars. And then if you go to 1830, our pal NFR Kraft finds that. But this income has risen to $500 equivalent in 1830. And then by 1860, hoo, buddy. It jumps to $800 actual income. We're not going to do the inflation calculator shenanigan because Georgetown law already did it for us.

[B]

They sure did. Yeah. And this is a big deal for doggos, because all of that disposable income meant their owners could afford to fe them, you know, a little bit more, like I was saying earlier, bespokedly, which created a demand. So another win for dogs that this new middle class brought around would be the fact that it didn't necessarily specialize in manual labor, so that they didn't need the dogs anymore to herd the animals to, you know, turn the meat spits.

[A]

Yeah. Now they're just hanging out and they're saying, where's my slice of ribeye? And this is where our pal James Spratt enters the stage.

[B]

He is Spratt enters the chat.

[A]

Spratt in the chat. Chat, Spratt, Spratt, chat.

[B]

He ain't no fat.

[A]

That is a fact. He is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the sense. And he is traveling often across the pond to England for work. And because he's traveling all the time, he's similar to folks like us. He always finds himself in his version of an airport. And he sits around and he people watches the wharf at the wharf. And while he is at the wharf, shout out to Star Trek, he sees these sailors hanging out with stray dogs. And they're feeding these dogs something we would call pemmican or hardtack. Ship biscuits.

[B]

Ship biscuits. Stuff that wouldn't rot because it was basically like borderline not Even food, you know, I mean, the level of density that these things were about pure. Just like, get some calories. There is no flavor to speak of, dude.

[A]

Also, for all of us, why does it sound like a perfect British insult to call someone a ship biscuit?

[B]

A ship. You ship biscuit. I love that.

[A]

I think it's got a good mouth feel.

[B]

I like it even more, though, the way it's actually printed in the research that it was a ship's biscuit, like a, you know, the biscuit of the ship.

[A]

You shut your mouth. You're a ship's biscuit.

[B]

Ship's biscuit. I don't give a ship's biscuit about that.

[A]

I won't ship a biscuit. So James Spratt says, oh, my gosh, look at these adorable stray dogs. They're loving this stuff. Also. I should make some money from it. And this is where he comes up with his banger idea. One of the first commercialized doggo treats. The name didn't age well. The name is Spratt's Pat Patent Meal Fabrine Dog Cakes.

[B]

Think he needed to take that one back to the wood shop a little bit. Yeah.

[A]

A little briefer, but, you know, we do a show called Stuff they don't want you to know, so that's true.

[B]

But I think that is objectively better than Spratt's Patent Meal February. I can't even say it out loud. Spmfdc. It was a recipe. We don't. We do love a blend. And it was.

[A]

We love a blend. Yeah. It's a mix of sweet meals, vegetables, beetroot and beef bl.

[B]

Hell, yeah.

[A]

Nice co sign from nola, that one.

[B]

I do love some beef blood. They were super popular with the English, who fed them to their hunting dogs.

[A]

And by 1881, our pal Sprat patents his product here in the United States.

[B]

So he goes with a bit of a name change. He took our advice in the past. Yeah. Took it to the wood shop and came up with Spratt's Dog Cakes and Puppy Biscuits.

[A]

Oh, beautiful. Yes. He also takes advantage of the boom in the printing press. Right. So he takes out magazine ads and he starts to write directly to dog lover institutions like the American Kennel Club.

[B]

Right. He's also doing direct mail work because at the bottom of this hand bill and or magazine advert, it says here we shall be pleased to send free samples of foods suitable for your dog. All you gotta do is state the breed. Spratt's Patent Ltd. 2425 Fenchurch St. London EC.

[A]

I think it's a little bit too eugenic friendly to me to say state the breed.

[B]

State your breed. Can you give us a little bit more of the promised or the important points that he's trying to use to sell the public on his miraculous dog Fe.

[A]

Perfect nourishment or frame and body because they are made from our pure meat fibrines, selected wheat meals and etc.

[B]

That's a made up word. I don't know. I don't know about fibrene. Oh, I love this. A lot of these are still used to this day, Ben. The idea of a full and glossy coat because the blood is fully nourished.

[A]

And renewed stamina and vem. Because good wholesome food gives good health and vigorous.

[B]

Spoon your way to health with vitamin vegemin for dogs. Perfect cleansing of the teeth because they are well baked. Excuse me. And compel the dog to gnaw. I love a gnaw.

[A]

Yeah, they're talking about the biscuits, not the dog's teeth.

[B]

And again, a lot of these things, very much the same kind of things you see today with these dog biscuits that are all about. They're a little bit on the tough side because it get. The dog doesn't just, you know, munch them down in one go. They got to chew on them.

[A]

Yeah, you got to put the work in for the reward. Also, I think our mutual favorite thing in all capital letters is freedom from all objectionable odors.

[B]

Now that one I call a little BS on or should I say ds?

[A]

They got a specific smell though.

[B]

Well, for sure. And I don't know, man. Dog poop is dog poop. No matter what kind of food they eat, if you feed your dog, they say with sprats meat fibrine dog cakes you give the very best biscuits procurable. You do the very best thing for your dog and you get the very best value for your money.

[A]

Insist on sprats. Only sprats. Nothing but sprats. Dog cakes. For your dog's sake and for your own.

[B]

Insist on sprats. Insist on sprouts. Nothing but sprats. There will only be sprats.

[A]

I know. Like I'm picturing. I'm picturing someone at a general store like the thing that inspired Cracker Barrel and someone's like, oh, we've got these other dog biscuits and they slap it into the air.

[B]

I'm a Dapper Dan man.

[A]

I'm a Dapper Dan man. Are you using my hair treatment? Are you asking me not to give my dog sprats.

[B]

Man, people really love Harry Potter and you too now can experience Harry Potter stories like you've never heard them before on auto.

[A]

Yeah, that's right Harry the Full Cast Audio Editions presents J.K. rowling's iconic series as a phenomenal, spellbinding listening event for your entire family.

[B]

It is quite the romp. The Full Cast Audio Editions features a spectacular a list cast including Hugh Laurie. I think we all love we love Hugh Albus. Yeah yeah. House Dr. House, Maryland as Albus Dumbledore and Riz Ahmed as Severus.

[A]

Folks, this one is just phenomenal. For any fellow longtime Harry Potter fans, this is a delightful new way to introduce the stories to a new generation.

[B]

The first story in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is available now with new audiobooks in the series releasing every month thereafter.

[A]

It's Harry Potter like you've never heard it before. Listen on audible go to audible.com HP1 and start listening today.

[C]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming [e-mail] Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. Push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search power [e-mail] lenovo.

[A]

Lenovo everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's just a regular guy.

[D]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know, those scary breathing interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more at don'tsleeponosa.com this information is.

[B]

Provided by Lilly, a medicine company. I turned off news altogether.

[A]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[B]

It's the rage bait.

[A]

It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we can calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News Reporting for America. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.

[B]

Fascinating.

[A]

It's accompanied by his natural Ally. Doug. Uh, Limu.

[B]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera.

[A]

They see us.

[B]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[A]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings.

[B]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates, excludes Massachusetts.

[A]

So the public loves this. And. And now they're primed to buy specialized dog food, which launches a thousand ships of industry. We Gotta talk about 1922, Noel. Someone saw the Biscuit and then someone said, let's get in on this and make some cool.

[B]

We're quickly approaching the moment we get to. In all of these stories about a thing that is now ubiquitous, where we hear about when the big one kind of enters on the ground floor. Right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Nobody really hears about sprats anymore, unfortunately. But before we get to that one, we do have maybe one more lesser known hit with a fabulous name.

[A]

Oh, it's Ellis.

[B]

Oh, it's Ken L. Ration, I believe. And maybe I'm mistaken, but I don't know about this one still being on, you know, pet store shelves to this day, but maybe it's a special. It was in fact, at the time, though, made with only the highest quality of horse meat.

[A]

Yeah. By the mid-1930s, 50,000 horses per year are slaughtered to make the product. And by the way, their hooves ended up being glue. It's 1941. If we fast forward, canned dog food dominates the fancy doggo market. But Uncle Sam ham, as a result of World War II, starts rationing tin and meat. And this means that dry dog food takes that king of the hill spot and Kin L rations kind of go the way of the dodo. It's tough to make quality dog food consistently at this time. A lot of dog owners are really PO'd about the texture, the appearance and the inconsistency of dry dog food. The stuff we would call kibble until.

[B]

This is what I was teasing. Sorry, I did it a little prematurely. But in 1950, we have the big dogs entering the chat, the ones that are still around this day. And if I'm not mistaken, they sponsor all kinds of dog shows and things like that. Huge, huge dynasty of pet food, the Ralston Purina Company, which I did not know this, Ben, because I associate this with another brand entirely. I believe Kellogg's the maker of Chex cereal, which was made.

[A]

I love the Chex.

[B]

Yeah, I love a Chex mix. I do love a Chex cereal, which was made using an extruder.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, Cooking extruder. They started using this to make their Chex serious. And honestly, folks, we're big cereal fans. Max's dad loves cereal in particular. But we can all admit, I think here in 2025, that cereal is kind of like dry dog food for humans. In its commercial version, they would push these ingredients or this mixture through a tube, cook it under high pressure, puff it up with air. This is what allows Chex to stay crispy in milk. And so this company has already figured out the technology. Right. And that informs them or inspires them to launch Purina dog chow in 1956.

[B]

I still think it's so weird to this day. It still seems relatively normal and even to me, kind of yummy to put dry cereal checks in milk. It's a weird thing that was sold to us by an industry that we just kind of come to accept. You know, it's unusual. I can't think of anything else you'd eat floating in a vat of milk.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, maybe noodles, depending on where people are from. But also, I love that you're pointing this out because let us remember, not too, too long ago, the Romans said, you gotta soak the bread and the milk.

[B]

That's true. To feed the dogs cereals in the same food pyramid column as bread. Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, it's no longer a pyramid. I believe, I believe now it's a plate.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. And the food pyramid was definitely a grift. Anyway. The main ingredient in Purina Dog Chow's first iteration is corn. And dog owners, dog friends don't love it. This is why we see stuff in the 1970s like Hills and Nutro, two brands that purport to feed your canine family member a more nutritious fare.

[B]

Okay, yeah, I guess that. Why didn't they like corned either? Think.

[A]

I don't know. I don't know why they didn't like corn. Corn's not that bad. I guess it's just it doesn't have the meat. If I can jump in here. Traditionally, dogs can't really digest corn.

[B]

I mean, I know cats can't, but it's filler mostly.

[A]

There you go. So people can't really digest corn. Yeah, that's a good point.

[B]

Also. Oh yeah, we do see the little niblets in the. Nevermind, we don't have to go there. You know what we're talking about. So by this point, it was absolutely, you know, passe or unpopular. It was not considered to be good etiquette with your pets, to feed them table scraps. It was no longer considered a good option. So brands like this continued to Sort of further that notion. Right?

[A]

Yeah. The idea here is that if you really love your pooch, you are going to go a step beyond. You are not going to go to the grocery store and pick up whatever is on the bottom shelf of aisle. You are going to pay extra for things like Nutro. They are recommended by veterinarians, dog groomers, et cetera, et cetera. There is a calculated scarcity to this. And as our research associate Ren points out here, the main grift of dog food as we know it today is a culmination of ridiculous history. It's a marketing ploy. For centuries and centuries and centuries, it was totally fine to feed your dog table scraps.

[B]

And not to mention, I mean, a lot of the, even the most persnickety dog owners make their own food for their dogs. Like your pops. You were talking about Ben. I mean, I fed Apollo some little pieces of steak and he absolutely loved it. And it was, didn't go down weird. He, he, you know, used the bathroom just like normally. And a lot of folks that make these mixes, they'll put vegetables in there, they'll put different herbs and barley and a lot of the things they were talking about back in the earliest days, so. But it doesn't really behoove the industry if you're not out there buying those 50 pound bags of kibble.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Just probably is more affordable in the long run if you're taking the things that you eat at home and not feeding them scraps, but using bits of it to maybe make your own dog food.

[A]

I mean, look, there are some rules, right? No bone shards, no chocolate, you know, but your dog is a pack animal, so if it sees what you're eating, it wants to participate. Right.

[B]

And I know it's certainly possible that we'll have some dog parents out there that might disagree with that. We'd love to hear from you and what your thoughts are around the dog food industry. And what do you feed your doggos? I think we all like to know.

[A]

And we also want pictures of your dog. Always, unreservedly, unapologetically, we are fans of man's best friend. Humanity's best friend. Better put Big, big thanks to our research associate, Renfest. Big, big thanks to the legendary super producer, Mr. Max Williams. Max, while we got you here, here. Do you like dogs? You like dags?

[B]

You like dogs?

[A]

I just watched Snatch again. Sorry, I, I do love dogs. I mean, I am primarily a cat.

[B]

Personal cats are like generally the animals I always have. But I've had some dogs in My life and I absolutely love them.

[A]

If you, if you were a dog, Max, what kind of dog would you be?

[B]

Are, are you asking me as if like based on my personality, which one.

[A]

I would choose to be? Yes. Then the answer is golden retriever. Nice. That's a good one. What about you? No, I don't know.

[B]

I, I only just in the last handful of years, truly become a dog person. And now I really very much am. I think I would, I think I would want to be one of those little, little cuties just gets to like be in, in someone's lap all day and, you know, eating, eating delightful cubes of steak.

[A]

Oh, that's sweet.

[B]

Doesn't sound so bad. Me and, me and Apollo could kick it.

[A]

That's awesome. What about you? You been? Oh, well, I would want to be a different dog, but I'm probably a bruiser, unfortunately. Probably an Anatolian shepherd.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, well, you know, we work with the army we have and we can't wait to brag to you about the army we do have. Starting with AJ Bahamas Jacobs.

[B]

Yes, of course. That would be the puzzler. And Jonathan Strickland, the quizzes.

[C]

Ooh.

[A]

What kind of dog would he be?

[B]

I don't know. There's no negative spin we could put on any dog. So I don't know how to proceed.

[A]

Yeah, okay. What kind of animal?

[B]

We love them all.

[A]

We do love them all. All right, all right, Quister, you got away in the credits on this one.

[B]

Some sort of golem, perhaps some sort of dragon hoarding his gold in a volcano.

[A]

Big, big face. What he would be would be a.

[B]

Middle aged man who is very bald.

[A]

That's the animal he would be.

[B]

That's the only person.

[A]

Let's not hurt his feelings because he does listen to this show only at the end to hear us talk trash about him. Big, big thanks as well to Christopher Haciotes, Eve's Jeffcoat here in spirit, and our pals at Ridiculous Crime. And Noel, if I could say, say it, I love when you bring Apollo on the show. Well, you know what?

[B]

He's, he's on the bathroom floor curled up, taking a little nap. Or I would have. But thanks, Ben. Hopefully he'll be around next time. And we'll see you next time, folks. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite show in the.

[C]

Heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming [e-mail] Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. Push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech Search power [e-mail].

[D]

And now superhuman Shack I keep telling them not to say that. I'm no superhuman. Believe it or not, I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea or OSA in adults with obesity. Moderate to severe OSA is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep with loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and even daytime fatigue. Let's just say it could sound a lot like this. Sound familiar? Learn more@don'tsleeponosa.com this information is provided by.

[B]

Lily, a medicine company.

[A]

Hey audiobook lovers. I'm Cal Penn.

[B]

I'm Ed Helms.

[A]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[B]

Each week we sit down with your.

[A]

Favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very.

[B]

Special guests to discuss the latest and.

[A]

Greatest audiobooks from Audible. Listen to Hearsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[C]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line, but first there the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes. Ever wonder why so many people regain weight after stopping a GLP1? Up to 40% of the weight lost can come from lean muscle. This weakens the body, slows metabolism metabolism and makes it easier to put the pounds back on, creating a cycle of dependency. Prolon's five day Fasting Mimicking Diet offers a drug free way to maintain results and support long term metabolic health in just five days. It activates fasting pathways to burn fat, protect muscle and rejuvenate cells, all while letting you enjoy real food. Get 25% off plus a $40 bonus gift when you [e-mail] I iHeart. That's ProlonLife.com iHeart. This is an iHeart podcast.