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.[1] Since being sold, the brand has faded into obscurity, although vast amounts of Ken-L Ration memorabilia can be found on eBay. The brand featured a yellow dog named Fido on its labels.[2]
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
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.[3]
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.
Bridge lyrics
Ken l Ration has lean red beef, And lot's of other good things, When my mom goes to the store, She buys a million cans or more...
In the 1950's, 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.