Type: Rendered animal ingredient (vague term)
Source: Animal (poultry)
Chicken By-Product Meal in Dog and Cat Food
Chicken by-product meal is a rendered ingredient made from chicken parts not classified as muscle meat. It is processed into a dry “meal” ingredient.
Why It Appears on Pet Food Labels
Chicken by-product meal may be included to:
- Provide a concentrated animal-derived ingredient
- Support kibble structure and formulation
- Use a broad category of chicken-derived components
Where It Is Commonly Found
- Dry kibble
- Some budget or economy formulas
- Foods using broad “by-product” labeling
Label Context
“By-product” is a broad label term. The exact parts included are not typically listed, and composition can vary by manufacturer and batch.
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.