As soon as somebody starts looking at a bag of pet food, their heads start spinning with ingredients, vitamins, minerals, and other such nitty-gritty stuff. However, it remains paramount that some knowledge be retained about the food for the sake of health and happiness of the pet. One repeated term in the discussions of pet food is chicken by-product meal. Though it appears in many pet foods, it is somehow misunderstood. So, let’s explore this thing called chicken by-products meal, see how it compares with other ingredients, and whether it is something you need to worry about when buying food for your furry friend.
What are Animal By-Products in Pet Food?
Animal by-products in pets’ food are actually animal parts that have no use for human consumption. For example, it can be feathers, feet, bones, organs, and such things less desirable after producing the major cuts of meat. The idea that your pets should feed on leftover animal parts does not sound comfortable, but it actually helps in a way.
Chicken by-product meal is probably the most prevalent animal by-product found in both dog and cat food. It is the meal obtained from rendering various parts of chickens. That is, high-temperature cooking prepares feet, organs (such as the liver, lungs, etc.), and sometimes feathers, to strip them of moisture and fats. It results in a concentrated form of protein and nutrients that is dried and ground into powdery meal. This ingredient is mostly feed into pet food as a cheap protein source by manufacturers, although the quality varies from batch to batch.
What’s the Difference between Chicken By-Product Meal and Chicken Meal?
There is some cardinal difference between chicken by-product meal and chicken meal. Both are from chickens; however, they are not the same.
Chicken Meal: This is all the rendering of chicken including meat, skin, and bones-and for amount moisture-free concentrated protein. chicken meal is generally supposed to be of higher quality since it provides more digestible and consistent protein for the pet. This is a common ingredient in high-quality, natural pet foods, as well as a very obviously consistent source of amino acids that are essential for the health of your pet.
Chicken By-Products Meal is a term that denotes everything that is left after all portions of the chicken that are not desirable organ, feet, bones, feathers, and so on as having lower nutritional value and may be harder for the pet to digest. Quality of chicken by-product meal can range drastically from one rendering operation to another since it varies by what ingredients are used.
It is valid to say that while both are meals from chickens, chicken meal is generally given as better than chicken by-products because it contains a greater proportion of the actual meat and is a more easily digestable, nutrient-dense protein source.
Is Chicken By-Product Meal Safe for Pets?
It is natural to question whether these by-products can bring harm to your pets. To be brief, by-products aren’t dangerous in themselves, but there are some pertinent factors to keep in mind.
Commonly, the raw materials meant for rendering into by-product meals consist of leftovers from slaughtered animals used in the meat, poultry, and fishing industry. The process of rendering has to cook them at a high temperature and remove moisture and fat. Even though by-product meals are now moisture- and fat-free-stable, this method could destroy the natural enzymes and proteins contained, which are very important for the final nutritional quality of the product.
Since these by-products are derived from different parts of by-product meals, the nutritional values may vary widely from batch to batch. This inconsistency can make it difficult to ensure that your pet gets the same type of nutrition every day at every meal. In addition, many pets find by-products unpalatable, which is why manufacturers frequently spray dishes with artificial flavors or fats.
So, variable nutrition value or even the need for artificial flavoring is a perfectly legitimate concern and cause of concern for a pet parent. However, if you’re one of those who seeks the best nutrition for one’s pet, then it can be much said about the kind and quality of ingredients included in the foods taken by that pet. Thus, one of those “many brands” of pet food, like I and Love and You, does not include by-products in what they put into their formulations.
Why is Chicken Meal Preferred Over By-Product Meal
high-quality Ingredients Would Offer Nutrition in Pet Foods. Chicken meal is derived from whole, clean chicken parts and thus makes use of a very good protein source that provides the associated amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. This meal is more digestible, nutrient-laden, and consistent than chicken by-product meal for optimal pet health.
On the other hand, chicken by-product meal is considered a poorer protein source since it contains parts of the chicken that are difficult for the animal to digest; thus, its nutritional consistency cannot be ascertained with respect to whole chicken parts. Consequently, this may be the cheapest route for manufacturers, but they compromise quality and health benefits in that action.
Chicken meal is preferred among pet owners seeking natural and premium food. Brands such as I and Love and You incorporate chicken meals for these products to ensure the pets receive optimal protein sources supporting their health.
What Should You Look for on Pet Food Labels?
Learning how to read pet food labels is vital when shopping for your pets. Protein is what makes the primary contribution to your pet’s diet and thus should be the first ingredient under chicken meal. Avoid foods listed with chicken by-product meal or any by-products as the first or second ingredient listed.
It should be capable of balancing protein against healthy fats, fibers, and nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Natural pet foods such as I and Love and You’s Baked and Saucy Dog Food and Naked Essentials Chicken and Duck Cat Food get nutrients mainly from ingredients like chicken meal to furnish a well-rounded diet in nutrition for your pet.
Final Thoughts: Quality Does Matter
In terms of your pet’s food, quality does count. Chicken by-product meal can give some protein, but it is not the most reliable nor nutritious source. Chicken meal would be, in comparison, a higher-value ingredient providing your pet with a consistent and highly digestible protein.
Carve the time to read the ingredient lists when making any decision about your pet’s nutrition and choose foods that derive more benefit from the highest quality ingredients. Focusing on protein sources that truly help the health of your pet is truly helping them live a long, happy, healthy life.
If you are interested in premium natural pet food, we encourage you to have a look at Baked and Saucy Dog Food and Naked Essentials Chicken and Duck Cat Food, both of which rely on chicken meal for providing optimal nutrition for pets. Your pets deserve the best, and that best comes with the right food!
