Chicken, chicken meal, or chicken by-product meal – which one is a better source of protein for your pet?

First, how are these food ingredients defined by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and what does this mean for your fur child?

Chicken: “Combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of poultry or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails (intestine).” — AAFCO

So, what does it mean when a pet food lists “chicken” as its first ingredient?

1. The food contains less than 35% raw chicken. Raw chicken contains 65-70% moisture, which reduces to ~10% during the cooking and production process. Thus, your pet food will actually have about 11.5-13.5% chicken, if 35 % raw chicken is used in the food – much less than what the label leads you to believe.
2. Given AAFCO’s definition of “chicken”, there is no way for you to know what “chicken” is actually in your fur child’s kibble. It could be chicken breast, chicken carcass, or anything in between – and it differs from company to company.
3. The AAFCO definition of “chicken” does not require that the chicken come only from “slaughtered chicken”. In other words, “chicken” in pet food is allowed to be sourced from non-slaughtered poultry, such as dead, dying, diseased, or disabled poultry (referred to as 4D).

Long story short, when you see a pet food with chicken listed as one of its ingredients, you need to do your homework about how much chicken is actually in there once the water is cooked out, as well as the health of the chickens used. It may be that the majority of your pet’s protein is actually coming from plant sources (which are not as good), rather than from chicken.

Chicken by-product meal: “Consists of the ground, rendered clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices”. — AAFCOIf you see a pet food with a “by-product meal” listed in the ingredients, just put it back on the shelf. The quality of chicken by-product meal is highly variable and may contain carcinogenic and inflammatory compounds, in part, because of the high processing heat that is used to make by-product safe and digestible. For more information about how high heat affects pet food, please see my previous tip.

Chicken meal: “Dry rendered product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of poultry or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails.” — AAFCO

What does it mean when a pet food lists “chicken meal” as its first ingredient?

1. Because chicken meal is already dried, then you can count on it being the major ingredient, when it’s listed first. This means that your pet is receiving most of its dietary protein from chicken, which is a good thing.
2. Since “chicken meal”, unlike “chicken”, includes organs, such as the nutrient-rich and flavorful liver, kidneys, heart, etc., it is more palatable (tasty) and has a higher nutritional value.
3. The quality of chicken meal foods is generally more consistent, in part, because it is more clearly defined.

Bottom line: Pet foods that contain chicken meal as the main ingredient are superior, in terms of nutritional value, palatability, and consistent quality – especially when the food is slow-cooked at a low temperature. And we all know, your pet is worth it!

Dr. Anoosh has a PhD in animal nutrition and has published numerous research articles on nutrition in animals, particularly during stress. His weekly tips and advice about animal nutrition are not meant to replace medical recommendations from your pet’s veterinarian.