I had the pleasure of meeting with Mark, one of the owners of Pup Kitchen, a small, family-owned business here in Edwardsville Illinois. During our conversation, I took a deep dive into the story behind Pup Kitchen, how the company got to where it is today, and what’s in store for its future.
“It was Christie's idea—my wife,” Mark shared. Christie came to Mark wanting to start a company that makes and sells fresh pet food, to which Mark responded, “That sounds great, but you should probably know how to make dog food first.”
For the next six months, Christie dove into researching proper dog nutrition, and what human foods dogs can and cannot have. Once confident in her knowledge, she began cooking for their own dogs. “There were a couple things that happened that I found fascinating,” Mark began to tell me that he and his wife had struggled to help their two Labs maintain a healthy weight. Despite getting plenty of exercise and eating what they believed to be a well-rounded kibble diet, the weight remained an issue—and their oldest Lab suffered from severe allergies, constantly itching and scratching.
When they switched to Christie’s homemade meals, a miracle happened. The dogs began to reach a healthy weight, and the allergy symptoms began to subside. “Our vet was amazed!” Mark shared. After seeing the significant changes in their own pups, Christie and Mark decided to take the plunge. They purchased a building with a commercial kitchen, completed a full food analysis through AAFCO and the Department of Agriculture, and officially launched Pup Kitchen in April 2024.
So, what makes Pup Kitchen different from other frozen fresh pet foods on the market?
“First off, we don't supplement the food at all,” Mark said proudly. “If you look at all the other brands out there, we have no additives, no preservatives, no byproducts, and no supplements.” Pup Kitchen uses only 100% natural, whole, human-grade ingredients. Unlike most commercial dog food brands that spray kibble to replace nutrients lost from high-temperature cooking, Pup Kitchen recipes are gently cooked—low and slow—to preserve nutrients, improve digestibility and taste, and safely eliminate bacteria. It's science!
Mark and Christie firmly believe that eating a whole food diet—whether you're a human or a dog—heals the body from the inside out and leads to better, healthier lives.
Each recipe is submitted to a lab for rigorous health testing to ensure it’s not only nutritious but also safe. The results are then submitted to the state for compliance with AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials), an independent organization that supports state, federal, and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards, and lab requirements for the safety of animals and humans.
Pup Kitchen’s core mission is to offer personalized, small-batch, healthy, human-quality dog food to local communities. That same philosophy applies when hiring. “It’s not just about how you cook the food, but actually understanding how to properly cook the recipes and why it’s done that way,” Mark explained. “We’re always looking for what’s missing.” When creating recipes, the team takes customer feedback seriously and considers the different dietary needs of each pet. Mark even went so far as to obtain a food manager license. Although not required for making and selling dog food, Mark believed, “If you're cooking safe for humans, a dog could eat it.” He added, “Dogs are so much more resilient, so in my mind, if it's safe for humans, it's gonna be safe for dogs.”
Pup Kitchen’s inspiring journey from a personal quest for better pet health to a thriving local business highlights the power of passion, knowledge, and dedication. Mark and Christie’s commitment to providing fresh, wholesome, and thoughtfully crafted meals for dogs has set a new standard in pet nutrition—one that prioritizes transparency, quality, and true care. Whisker Bones is proud to sell Pup Kitchen’s products and join in this mission because with just one paw at a time, we can help improve dog health and well-being—one step at a time. As Pup Kitchen continues to grow, it remains grounded in its mission to nourish pets naturally and support the well-being of the Edwardsville community, proving that sometimes the best innovations come from a simple desire to help the ones we love most.
🐾 Just for Fun Q & A with Pup Kitchen!
Q: 👅 Do you have any official taste-testers?
A: Yes! Pup Kitchen has a dedicated team of furry quality control experts:
Marley and Meirra (our beloved labs), and Malley the Bernedoodle!
Each batch gets the paws of approval from these enthusiastic samplers.
Q: 🐶 If Pup Kitchen were a dog breed, what would it be and why?
A: Labrador Retriever!
Just like Labs, Pup Kitchen is all about loyalty, energy, and making people (and pups!) happy.
Q: 📣 What’s one thing you’d share with pet parents considering a dietary switch?
A: “If cost is a concern, try adding Pup Kitchen as a topper to your dog’s current meals—it’s a great way to boost fiber and nutrition.”
Pup Kitchen even has a portion calculator on the website, and an option to help you measure how much to use as a topper or as full meals.
Whole food matters—it’s an easy change that can make a big difference in your dog’s health.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for PupKitchen?
As Pup Kitchen moves into its second year, exciting additions are on the horizon. The team is gearing up to launch four premium new flavors: Stay tuned to find out what these powerhouse protein packed recipes are!
In addition to new meals, Whisker Bones Supply Co. treats will soon be available for purchase alongside Pup Kitchen orders—giving pet parents even more ways to feed their pups well.