Jake Harper
Chicken meal is a common ingredient in dog food, but what is it, and how does it differ from chicken? Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein, derived from ground-up chicken flesh and skin from slaughtered birds. It has a low moisture content of around 5% and is cooked and ground up. Chicken, on the other hand, refers to unprocessed raw chicken with moisture content, similar to ordinary raw grocery-store chicken. This moisture content can be as high as 70%-80%, which means that after cooking, chicken loses a significant amount of weight, resulting in less chicken in the final product. While chicken meal may contain up to five times more chicken meat than straight chicken, the quality of the sourced chicken is also a critical factor in determining the nutritional value of the food.
Chicken vs Chicken Meal
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Protein Content | Chicken meal has a higher protein content than chicken. |
| Processing | Chicken meal is more processed than chicken. Chicken is raw and cooked once, while chicken meal is cooked twice. |
| Weight | Chicken meal retains its weight on the ingredient label due to its low moisture content. Chicken has a high water weight and loses its weight after cooking. |
| Quality | Chicken meal is a more cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content of food. Chicken is considered higher quality due to potentially containing chicken carcass. |
| Nutritional Value | Chicken and chicken meal are nutritionally identical. |
| Source | Chicken meal is derived from the same meat as chicken but has been precooked to remove water. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken meal has more protein
Chicken meal is a dry, rendered product made from the ground-up flesh and skin of slaughtered chickens. It does not contain feathers, heads, feet, or intestines. The term "meal" refers to a cooked and ground-up product that has been heated and cooked down into a powdered meal. Chicken meal is highly processed and is cooked again when added to kibble.
On the other hand, chicken as an ingredient in kibble typically refers to raw chicken, which has a high water weight of around 70%. After processing, chicken will likely drop in position on the ingredient label, as ingredients are listed in order of weight. The general rule is that the top 5 ingredients represent around 80% of what's in the bag. Due to its high water content, chicken can lose much of its weight after cooking, resulting in a smaller amount of chicken in the final product.
It's important to note that the quality of the sourced chicken is also a crucial factor in determining the nutritional value of the food. If both the meat and meal meet certain specifications, such as originating from inspected facilities and derived from animals that have passed post-mortem inspection, then the only difference between meat and meal is the amount of water when they are weighed.
In summary, while chicken meal contains more protein than chicken, it is important to consider the overall quality of the ingredients and the processing methods used to make an informed decision about the best food for your pet.
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Chicken meal is cooked twice
Chicken meal contains more protein per pound of food than fresh chicken because the moisture content of chicken meal is low. The general rule is that the top five ingredients represent around 80% of what's in the bag. Because of this, consumers often think 'meal' will be better because it only contains around 5% moisture so will retain its position in the ingredient label.
However, this is where it gets tricky because the weight of a product does not define its quality. It is hard to decipher the difference between fact and fiction in the world of dog food and even harder to interpret what is in the food given the complicated and confusing terminology.
Chicken meal is ground-up chicken flesh and skin from slaughtered birds. While the “slaughtered” part may sound a little jarring, it’s actually a good thing. It means that the chickens were not found dead and then later used to make chicken meal. Chicken meal can typically be used as a source of protein, but it can also provide essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.
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Chicken meal is dehydrated chicken meat
Chicken meal is a "cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content of dog food," according to Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a vet at a small-animal clinic in Northern California. It is made by heating and cooking chicken down into a powdered meal, which is then cooked again when added to kibble. This makes it the most processed form of chicken used in kibble.
Chicken meal provides a top-notch source of protein, whereas chicken-based foods often contain inferior sources of protein in the form of by-products. These by-products are not absorbed well by dogs or cats.
However, it is important to note that the weight of a product does not define its quality. While chicken meal may contain more protein, it is not clear if it is higher-quality protein. Additionally, the inclusion of chicken meal in a product does not guarantee a certain amount of meat, as this can vary between different kibbles.
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Chicken meal is a cost-effective protein source
Chicken meal is a cost-effective way to increase the protein content of dog food. It is a more affordable option than fresh chicken, as it has a higher protein concentration. Chicken meal is also a good source of essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.
Chicken meal is a processed form of chicken that has been cooked and ground up. This means that it has a lower moisture content than fresh chicken, which typically has a water weight of around 70%. After cooking, fresh chicken loses much of its weight, so there is not much chicken left. Chicken meal, on the other hand, retains its weight and position as the main ingredient.
Chicken meal is a popular choice for dog food, as it is a cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content. It is a good option for dog owners who want to provide their pets with a high-quality source of protein. Chicken meal is also a good alternative to other protein sources, such as chicken by-products, which are inferior and not well absorbed by dogs.
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Chicken meal is a more reliable ingredient
Secondly, chicken meal provides a consistent and cost-effective way to increase the protein content of pet food. The moisture content and weight of raw chicken can vary, making it challenging to ensure a guaranteed amount of meat in the final product. Chicken meal, on the other hand, offers a predictable and concentrated protein source, enhancing the nutritional value of the food.
Additionally, chicken meal provides essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, contributing to a well-rounded and nutritious diet for pets. While the quality of the sourced chicken is a crucial factor, if both meat and meal meet specific standards, such as USDA FSIS inspections, they are nutritionally identical once in the pet food.
It's worth noting that the term "chicken meal" specifically refers to ground-up chicken flesh and skin derived from slaughtered chickens. It does not include feathers, heads, feet, intestines, or other by-products. This distinction ensures that chicken meal provides a high-quality protein source without the need for inferior protein boosters, such as those used in some chicken-based foods.
Overall, chicken meal offers a reliable, efficient, and nutritious option for pet food manufacturers and provides pets with a consistent and rich source of protein and other essential nutrients.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken is unprocessed raw chicken with moisture content.
Chicken meal is processed chicken that has been heated and cooked down into a powdered meal.
Chicken meal has a water content of 5% when it is added to dog food, while chicken meat has a water content of 67%. Chicken meal contains 5 times more protein than chicken meat.
Chicken meal is a cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content of dog food. Chicken meal contains more protein per pound of food than fresh chicken because the moisture content of chicken meal is low.
Once in the dog food, chicken and chicken meal are identical nutritionally if they are sourced from the same USDA-inspected facility.
