Chicken by-products are a controversial ingredient found in many commercial pet foods. But what exactly are chicken by-products, and are they safe for your furry friend? This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about chicken by-products in pet food.
What Are Chicken By-Products?
Chicken by-products refer to the parts of a chicken left over after the meat has been removed for human consumption This includes organs like the liver, kidneys, heart, and gizzard, as well as feet, bone, blood, and feathers
While humans don’t typically eat these parts, they can still provide nutritional value for pets However, since the quality can vary greatly, chicken by-products have developed a poor reputation in the pet food world
How Are Chicken By-Products Made?
Chicken by-products go through a process called rendering to make them usable as pet food ingredients. First, the leftover chicken parts are cooked at high temperatures to remove moisture and fat. Next, the rendered material is pressed to remove any remaining fat and water.
Finally, the rendered chicken parts are dried and ground into a powder or meal. This concentrated protein powder can then be easily added to pet food.
Are Chicken By-Products Safe for Pets?
On their own, chicken by-products are not inherently dangerous or unhealthy. Organ meats like liver and kidneys are nutritious, providing protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, the overall quality of chicken by-products can vary:
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Quality: Lower quality by-products may contain feathers, heads, and feet. Higher quality by-products focus on organs and muscle meat.
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Contaminants: Proper processing is important to kill bacteria like salmonella. Poor sanitation can allow contamination.
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Nutrient content: Since the exact composition is unknown, nutrient levels can be inconsistent batch to batch.
So while not directly unsafe, low quality or contaminated chicken by-products could pose issues for pets. When used properly though, chicken by-products can provide nutritional value.
Pros of Chicken By-Products in Pet Food:
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Cheap protein source – Using otherwise wasted parts lowers costs for manufacturers. This makes pet food more affordable.
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Additional nutrients – Organ meats like liver are high in vitamins and minerals. This can help create a balanced diet.
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Flavors pets enjoy – Many pets are attracted to the unique flavors provided by organ meats. This increases palatability.
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Sustainability – Chicken by-products reduce waste by utilizing parts of the chicken that humans don’t consume.
Cons of Chicken By-Products in Pet Food:
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Lower quality parts – Heads, feet, and feathers provide much less nutritional value than muscle meat or organs.
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Nutrient variability – Since the exact composition is unknown, nutrient levels are inconsistent between batches.
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Digestibility issues – Bones, cartilage, and feathers may be difficult for some pets to digest properly.
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Quality control issues – Rendering at the wrong temperatures or poor sanitation can lead to contaminants.
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Ethical concerns – Some pet owners feel that feeding by-products is unethical or unhealthy for pets.
Chicken By-Product Meal vs. Chicken Meal
Chicken meal is often considered superior to chicken by-product meal. Here’s how the two ingredients differ:
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Composition: Chicken meal is made from meat and skin, while chicken by-product meal contains organ meats and bones.
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Protein content: Chicken meal typically has a higher and more consistent protein level.
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Nutrient profile: Chicken meal contains more balanced nutrition overall.
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Quality: Chicken meal comes from human grade, USDA-inspected chicken. The quality of by-products varies more.
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Cost: Chicken by-product meal is the cheaper option for manufacturers.
So while both provide concentrated chicken protein, chicken meal would be the higher quality choice for pet food.
How to Select Pet Foods With Chicken By-Products
When choosing a pet food with chicken by-products, here are some tips:
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Review the entire ingredient list, not just the by-products.
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Look for brands that specify the by-product composition, like “chicken liver meal”.
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Avoid products listing generic “poultry by-product meal” as the main protein source.
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Select foods from manufacturers with high quality standards and protocols.
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Talk to your veterinarian for diet recommendations tailored to your pet.
While chicken by-products shouldn’t be dismissed entirely, prioritizing high-quality protein sources like chicken or chicken meal is ideal when selecting pet food.
The Bottom Line
Chicken by-products can offer some benefits as an affordable protein source with additional nutrients from organ meats. However, the inconsistent quality means chicken by-product meal is a lower tier pet food ingredient compared to chicken meal.
When choosing a pet food with chicken by-products, proper processing and quality control by the manufacturer is key to ensuring the safety and nutrition of the final product. Pet owners should review all ingredients, research brands thoroughly, and consult their vet to find a high quality diet suited for their pet.
While the debate around chicken by-products will likely continue, being an informed pet parent is the best way to navigate pet food labels and provide your furry friend with the proper nutrition they need to lead a happy, healthy life.
Are Chicken By-Products Safe For Dogs To Eat?
While chicken by-products in dog food are safe and can be a source of nutrients, proteins, and healthy fats for dogs, many dogs can’t tolerate them. In part, this could be because of sensitivities or allergies to chicken in general. Most important, these products are not human grade and are likely made from rendered animals that have been sick or not safe for human consumption.
What’s The Difference Between Chicken By-Products And Chicken By-Products Meal?
Essentially, chicken by-products and chicken by-products meal are the same ingredients, except that chicken by-products meal comes to the dog food manufacturer in a dried form. The rendered meal could be high quality and nutritious or poor quality, and unfortunately, that’s impossible to tell from the labeling on the dog food or treats.
Chicken MEAL vs Chicken BYPRODUCT | What is the difference? | 5Strands FAQ
FAQ
What are the by-products of chicken?
Chicken heads, feathers, blood and intestines as well as discarded broilers are an example of by-products or waste from the abattoir that has some monetary value since is can be used as animal feedstock. In Denmark this waste is processed by specialized factories to produce mink feed.
Are chicken by-products good for dogs?
Your dog can’t get all of the nutrients he needs from meat alone, and chicken by-products are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats – plus essential vitamins and minerals. Chicken by-products in dog food contain between 60 and 70 percent protein, and they’re highly digestible.
What’s the difference between chicken and chicken by-product?
How is Chicken Meal Different From Chicken By-Products? While chicken meal is the protein-packed dry and rendered clean flesh, skin, and/or accompanying bone, dog food with chicken by-products contain the nutrient-rich parts of a chicken that remain after meat is removed, such as the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
What are the byproducts of chicken meat?
Unlike chicken meal, which is dried and rendered clean meat, skin, and bone, chicken by-products contain the “less desirable” parts of a chicken that remain after the meat is removed. This can include the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys.