Type: Rendered animal protein
Source: Animal (poultry)
Chicken Meal in Dog and Cat Food
Chicken meal is a rendered product made from chicken with moisture removed. It is a dry, concentrated ingredient commonly used in kibble.
Why It Appears on Pet Food Labels
Chicken meal may be included to:
- Provide a concentrated animal-protein ingredient
- Support kibble structure and processing
- Offer consistent formulation across batches
Where It Is Commonly Found
- Dry kibble
- High-protein formulas
- Foods listing meal-based protein sources
Label Context
“Meal” ingredients are processed and can vary by manufacturer specifications. Labels may list different meals (chicken meal, turkey meal, fish meal) depending on the formula.
For pet-specific considerations, use the ingredient scan tool.
Educational Note
This page is part of the PetFoodDecoded Label Ingredient Library and is provided for educational reference only.