Decoding Pet Food Ingredients: Understanding 'Meals,' 'By-Products,' and 'Dehydrated Protein' 

Navigating the ingredient list on a bag of dog kibbles or cat kibble can feel like deciphering a secret code. One of the most common points of confusion for pet owners when shopping for pet supplies online is the word "meal" – as in "chicken meal" or "salmon meal." Is it good? Is it bad? What about "by-products" or the increasingly popular "dehydrated protein"?

At Super Paws, we believe that understanding what goes into your pet's food is key to making informed choices. Let's break down these often-misunderstood terms.

The "Meal" Debate: More Than Meets the Eye

When you see "chicken meal" or "lamb meal" listed as an ingredient, it simply refers to meat that has been cooked down to remove water and fat, leaving a concentrated protein source.

Here's why "meals" are often a valuable ingredient:

• Concentrated Protein: Fresh meat (like "chicken" or "salmon") contains a high percentage of water. While valuable, once that water is removed during the kibble-making process, the actual protein contribution might be lower than it appears on the fresh weight. A "meal" (e.g., "chicken meal") is already largely devoid of water, meaning it's a much more concentrated source of protein by weight.

• Essential Nutrients: High-quality meals provide essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of strong muscles, healthy organs, and a robust immune system for your dog or cat.

• Digestibility: When processed correctly, meals are highly digestible, allowing your pet to absorb more nutrients.

The key is the quality of the meal. A named meal (e.g., "chicken meal") is generally preferred over generic "meat meal," which could come from various unnamed sources.

Understanding "By-Products": A Cause for Caution

The term "by-product" is where pet owners need to be most vigilant. While some specific, named organ meats (like "chicken liver") can be incredibly nutritious, the vague term "meat by-products" or "animal by-products" is generally not recommended by pet nutrition experts.

Here’s why caution is advised with generic by-products:

• Vague Sourcing: "By-product" can include almost anything from an animal carcass – heads, feet, internal organs, undeveloped eggs, and sometimes even roadkill or deceased zoo animals. When the source is not specified, you cannot be sure of its origin or quality.

• Inconsistent Quality: The nutritional value and digestibility of generic by-products can vary wildly, making it hard to ensure consistent health benefits for your pet.

• Human Undesirables: Often, "by-products" refer to parts of an animal that are not typically consumed by humans in developed countries, raising questions about their overall appeal and processing standards.

Key takeaway: Opt for transparency. If a food contains organ meats, they should be clearly specified (e.g., "chicken liver," "beef heart"), not hidden under the blanket term "by-product."

The Rise of "Dehydrated Protein"

This term is gaining popularity and is essentially a refined form of "meal" or a method of preparing meat. "Dehydrated protein" (e.g., "dehydrated chicken protein") is often derived from fresh meat that undergoes a specific drying process to remove water, resulting in a highly concentrated protein powder or flake, which is the synonym of "meal".

• High Quality & Digestibility: It signifies a carefully processed, highly digestible protein source.

• Transparency: Brands using this term often do so to emphasize the quality and source of their protein, moving away from the "meal" terminology that some consumers view negatively, even when it refers to a good ingredient.

Our Ingredient Philosophy

When choosing dog kibbles or cat kibble from Super Paws, you'll find brands that prioritise high-quality protein sources, whether they are fresh meats, named meals, or dehydrated proteins. Our goal is to provide pet supplies online that offer transparent, wholesome nutrition for your furry family members. Need a recommendation? Check out Taste of The Wild's kibbles.

Understanding these terms empowers you to read labels more effectively and select food that truly meets your pet's needs. If you have questions about specific ingredients, our team at Super Paws is always here to help!