Our Story
Ancestral Pets: Extending Whole-Food Nutrition to Our Pets
Ancestral Pets was born as the sister company to Ancestral Nutrition, carrying the same ethos of nutrient-dense, whole-food supplementation—this time for the animals we love most.
A Journey That Began at Home
Matt’s journey into nutrition began with his wife’s health struggles, which eventually led to the creation of Ancestral Nutrition. Along the way, Matt and Stuart realised that the same nutrient-dense foods that helped people thrive could also transform the wellbeing of pets. Dogs and cats, after all, evolved to eat nose-to-tail, yet modern pet food often leaves this ancestral wisdom behind.
From People to Pets
As Ancestral Nutrition grew, Matt and his co-founder Stuart Cooke began to notice something important: the benefits of organ meats weren’t just for people. Their own dogs, Matt’s cavoodle, Kitty, and Stuart’s Doberman, Max, were living proof of the need for real-food nourishment in pet bowls too.
Kitty was often fussy with food, while Max thrived on high-quality nutrition to match his strength and energy. Watching their pets sparked a realisation: just like humans, animals deserve access to the nose-to-tail nutrition nature intended. That realisation led to Ancestral Pets.
The Same Principles, A New Purpose
Just as they had with Ancestral Nutrition, Matt and Stu focused on sourcing the highest-quality organ meats. Partnering with trusted Tasmanian farmers raising certified grass-fed cattle, they ensured that every capsule and sprinkle of Ancestral Pets carried the same standards of purity, sustainability, and nutrient density as their human range.
The mission remained unchanged: make nutrient-rich organ meats simple, convenient, and accessible, this time for the pets who share our homes and hearts.
Education, Sustainability, and Care
Many pet owners don’t realise how nutrient-dense organs like liver, heart, and kidney are, or how vital they’ve been in the natural diets of dogs for generations. Ancestral Pets is dedicated to changing that conversation, showing that pets can thrive when returned to foods their ancestors instinctively relied on.
Sustainability remains central too. By sourcing from regenerative Tasmanian farms, Ancestral Pets supports ecological health while delivering uncompromised nutrition for pets.
The Heart of the Story
At its core, Ancestral Pets is about family, both human and animal. From the wellness journey that began with Matt’s wife, to the inspiration provided by Kitty and Max, to the growing community of pet owners who want to nourish their companions more naturally, the story is one of care, connection, and a return to real food.
As Stuart reflects: “We started Ancestral Nutrition to help people live healthier lives. With Ancestral Pets, we get to extend that same philosophy to the dogs that are part of our families.”
Matt adds: “Seeing Kitty thrive reminds me daily why this matters. Pets deserve the same quality of nourishment as we do.”