Ken-L Ration

Ken-L Ration is the name of a brand of dog food. The brand offered both canned and dry dog food. Ken-L Ration was owned by Quaker Oats, but the brand was sold to H. J. Heinz Co. in 1995. Since being sold, the brand has faded into obscurity, although vast amounts of Ken-L Ration memorabilia can be found on eBay. The brand's name was a play on the World War II-era K-ration, and featured a yellow dog named Fido on its labels.

The brand is most notable for a popular advertising jingle from the 1960s. The jingle was based on the song "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog" written by Tom Paxton. The advertisement consisted of two children, one of whom was a young Richard Marx,[1], singing

My dog's faster than your dog,

My dog's bigger than yours.

My dog's better 'cause he gets Ken-L Ration,

My dog's better than yours.

This jingle is now being used by KIA automobiles. It says:

My van's bigger than your van, My van's bigger than yours, My van's better cause it's a KIA, My van's better than yours.

Until 1968, Ken-L Ration was the sponsor of the pet kennel at Disneyland, known as Ken-L Land.

Like several other dog food brands, Ken-L Ration issued a yearly award to brave or heroic dogs, entitled the "Ken-L Ration Dog Hero of the Year Award". The last known year this was issued was 1996.

Ken-L Ration in Popular Culture

• In the 1996 film Freeway, the film's star, a young Reese Witherspoon, is seen singing along with the jingle while watching TV just before the police come in to arrest her family.

In the 1993 film, "The Sandlot," a painted Ken-L advertisement is seen on the side of a building in the scene just after they all throw up on the carnival ride.

• In the 1993 film Demolition Man, the jingle for Ken-L Ration is featured along with jingles from Armour and Green Giant as "oldies", popular music in the future society of San Angeles.

Bridge lyrics

Ken l Ration has lean red beef, And lots of other good things, When my mom goes to the store, She buys a million cans or more...

Ken-L-Ration Sponsorship of Local TV in New York City

In the 1950s, Ken-L-Ration was the major sponsor of a local TV show in New York City called, "We Love Dogs." Each week a dog or puppy was featured as the prize in a contest. Viewers were invited to write and send letters to explain why they should win the dog. The next week, the winning letter was read and the winner appeared on the show and was given the dog. One of the winners was a 10 year old from St. Albans, Queens and he won a black & white pedigreed English Springer Spaniel that he and his family named Chips

The Trademark KEN L RATION is now owned by Retrobrands USA Inc. and no longer owned by Del Monte Foods.