Nutrition labels on animal food can be intimidating, but this guide can help you understand what they mean. On any food label, you’ll find a long list of items; food ingredients, vitamins/minerals, and probiotics... and you might see "chicken by-product meal" too.

Depending on the food you buy, you may see within the food ingredients are animal by-products, which are one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food. By-products are what’s leftover after the parts intended for human consumption have been removed. Chicken by-products are a common ingredient in pet food and can include chicken feet, livers, lungs, brains, etc. When choosing natural pet food, it's important to consider these components and their nutritional value to ensure a balanced diet for your pet.

What is Chicken By-Product Meal?

By-products in pet food are non-human-edible animal parts, while by-product meal is the dried and ground version, both providing a potent protein source for pet diets. Chicken byproduct meal in cat food are concentrated, ingredients used in pet food formulations for their high protein content and essential nutrients, as well as their super cheap cost for producers.

What is Chicken By-Product Meal in Cat Food?

Unlike chicken meal, which is dried and rendered clean meat, skin, and bone, chicken by-products contain the “less desirable” parts of a chicken that remain after the meat is removed. This can include the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. The higher quality ingredient is chicken meal, which you can find in all of our natural pet foods, like our Baked + Saucy Chicken and Sweet Potato dog food.

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What is chicken by-product meal in cat food?

The same by-products that are used in dog food can also be used in cat food. As is true with dog food, chicken meal is the superior ingredient, which you can also find in our natural cat foods, like Naked Essentials Chicken + Duck cat food.

 

Chicken Meal vs Chicken By-Product Meal: What’s the Difference?

Chicken meal, a high-quality ingredient in natural cat food, is rendered from clean, whole chicken parts and provides a dense protein source, superior to chicken by-product meal which includes less digestible parts like organs and bones. This distinction makes chicken meal a preferred protein in natural pet food for optimal pet health.

 

Is Chicken By-Product Meal Bad for Dogs & Cats?

The raw ingredients used in rendering by-product meals are generally just leftovers of the meat, poultry, and fishing industries. High temperatures used in the rendering may alter or destroy natural enzymes and proteins found in these raw ingredients. Because of this, the nutritional quality of by-products often varies dramatically from batch to batch. 

 

These protein sources are often unappealing to pets, and many times artificial flavors or fats are sprayed on the food in order for it to be appealing to your dog or cat. While the by-products aren’t necessarily dangerous to your pet, the quality is questionable. I and Love and You never uses by-products in our natural pet food. When in doubt about nutrition standards for your pet, this handy guide can help! 

 

Why Does Ingredient Quality Matter in Pet Food?

Ingredients are an important part of evaluating a pet food, but they should always be considered in the context of the entire recipe.

When comparing foods, look for:

  • Named animal protein sources

  • A complete and balanced nutritional profile

  • Ingredients appropriate for your pet's life stage

  • Nutrients that support your pet's overall health

  • Clear ingredient labeling

A named protein ingredient can make it easier to understand where the animal protein in your pet's food comes from.

It's also important to remember that the ingredient list isn't the only factor that determines whether a food is appropriate for your pet. If you have questions about your dog's or cat's nutritional needs, your veterinarian can help you choose an appropriate diet.

When choosing the best nutrition for your pets, it's important to understand the difference between chicken by-product meal and chicken meal. Chicken by-product meal, made from less digestible parts, offers variable nutrition, while chicken meal, found in high-quality natural pet foods, provides a more consistent and superior protein source. For the best natural pet foods, check out products like our Baked & Saucy Dog Food and Naked Essentials Chicken + Duck Cat Food, which feature high-quality chicken meal.

Does I and love and you Use Chicken By-Products?

No. I and love and you does not use animal by-products in our natural pet food recipes.

Instead, our recipes use named animal protein ingredients so pet parents can better understand the sources of protein included in their pet's food.

Understanding what's in your pet's food starts with knowing how to read the ingredient list. By learning the difference between chicken meal, chicken by-product meal, and other animal protein ingredients, you can make a more informed choice about the food you give your pet.

Understanding Chicken By-Product Meal 

Understanding the difference between chicken by-product meal and chicken meal can make it easier to evaluate your pet's food and choose a recipe that aligns with your preferences. While chicken by-product meal can provide protein and nutrients, it doesn't identify the specific poultry parts used as clearly as a named ingredient such as chicken meal.

At I and love and you, we believe pet parents should feel confident about the ingredients in our dog food and cat food. That's why our natural pet food recipes don't contain animal by-products and instead use named animal protein ingredients. When comparing pet foods, take a close look at the ingredient list and consider your pet's individual nutritional needs to find the best option for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q - What is chicken by-product meal made of?

    • A - Chicken by-product meal is made from poultry by-products that are processed through rendering to create a concentrated, dry ingredient. It can include organs and other poultry parts that aren't typically used as human food.

  • Q - Is chicken by-product meal the same as chicken meal?

    • A - No. Chicken meal is made from clean chicken tissue, with or without skin and bone, while chicken by-product meal is made from poultry by-products. The two ingredients have different definitions and should not be used interchangeably.

  • Q - Is chicken by-product meal safe for dogs?

    • A - Chicken by-product meal can be safely used in properly formulated pet food, but the quality of a dog's diet depends on the complete recipe and whether it provides complete and balanced nutrition. If you're concerned about a specific ingredient, talk with your veterinarian.

  • Q - Is chicken by-product meal safe for cats?

    • A - Chicken by-product meal can be included in properly formulated cat food. However, pet owners who prefer more specific ingredient labeling may choose recipes that identify their animal protein sources by name.

  • Q - Does I and Love and You use chicken by-product meal?

    • A - No. I and Love and You does not use animal by-products in its natural pet food recipes. We use named animal protein ingredients in our recipes instead.

 Updated August 20, 2026