Meat Meals & Animal Derivatives in Dog Food: Debunking Myths and Understanding the Facts
Introduction: Fear vs. Fact in Dog Food Ingredients
The pet food industry is no stranger to misinformation. In recent years, meat meals and animal derivatives have become buzzwords for controversy, often portrayed as cheap, low-quality, or even dangerous. Marketing campaigns and social media “petfluencers” have stoked fear around these ingredients, urging pet parents to steer clear.
But here’s the truth: not all animal by-products are bad. In fact, many are nutritionally valuable, safe, and sustainably sourced — and in some cases, preferable to overprocessed alternatives. This blog aims to clarify what meat meals and animal derivatives really are, break down the UK’s regulations (including DEFRA and APHA guidelines), and give you the tools to make informed decisions about your dog’s diet.
What Are Meat Meals and Animal Derivatives?
Meat meals are rendered products made from animal tissues, excluding blood, hair, hooves, horns, hide trimmings, stomach contents, and manure. The rendering process involves cooking and drying the meat to remove fat and moisture, resulting in a concentrated protein source.
Animal derivatives, also known as animal by-products, are ingredients derived from animals that are not classified as “meat” in the traditional sense (skeletal muscle), but are still nutrient-dense. These can include:
Organs like liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys
Edible fats
Skin and connective tissue and ligaments
Bone meal (in small, regulated amounts)
In the UK, the use of these materials is tightly controlled to ensure both safety and nutritional value.
UK Regulations: What DEFRA and APHA Allow
In the United Kingdom, pet food manufacturers must follow strict safety and quality guidelines set by:
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency)
FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation)
The Animal By-Products Regulations (ABPR)
According to DEFRA and APHA, the following categories of animal by-products are permitted in pet food manufacturing:
Category Definition Use in Pet Food
Category 1 High-risk (TSE-infected material, pets, zoo animals) Never allowed in pet food Category 2 Medium risk (e.g., manure, digestive tract content) Not allowed in pet food
Category 3 Low risk (meat that passed inspection but not for Permitted for use in pet food
for human consumption due to cosmetic or processing issues)
So, only Category 3 animal by-products can legally be used in UK dog food — these include parts of healthy animals slaughtered for human consumption ( diseased animals) but not sold due to shape, cut, or cosmetic imperfections.
Reference: UK Government Animal By-Product Regulations – GOV.UK
Myth #1: "Meat Meal Is Inferior to Whole Meat"
Truth: While fresh meat may sound more appealing on a label, meat meal often contains a higher percentage of protein by weight due to the moisture being removed. This means more actual meat in your dog’s bowl.
Fresh chicken: ~70% water
Chicken meal: ~10% moisture, 65%+ protein
In dry dog food, a formula listing “chicken meal” can deliver more protein than one listing “fresh chicken” as the first ingredient — despite sounding less appealing.
Key Point: It’s the nutritional value that matters, not just the ingredient’s name.
Myth #2: "Animal Derivatives Are Unsafe or Disgusting"
Truth: In many cultures, organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney are prized for their dense nutritional content. These parts are biologically appropriate for dogs, offering:
Iron and B vitamins
Taurine and CoQ10 (heart health)
Vitamin A (from liver)
Highly digestible protein
What’s unsafe is not the ingredient itself but poor sourcing or a lack of transparency. That’s why UK regulations only allow Category 3 materials and require manufacturers to maintain traceability and hygiene records.
Myth #3: "‘Meat and Animal Derivatives’ on Labels Means It Could Be Anything"
Truth: While this phrase is legally vague (and often frustrating for consumers), it doesn’t mean the food contains harmful substances. It simply reflects grouped ingredients from multiple animals, which can vary based on supply. it doesn;t mean that it’s any better or worse than a single protein meat meal
The term is permitted under FEDIAF labelling guidelines, especially in products where meat type may vary by batch (e.g., mixed meat formulas). Brands with fixed recipes will often list the exact species (e.g., “lamb meal,” “chicken liver”).
Tip: Look for labels that voluntarily disclose the animal species, even if using derivatives. This adds trust and clarity and can help if your dog as an intolerance/allergy
Myth #4: "Meat Meals Are Full of Hooves, Hair, and Feathers"
Truth: These parts are classified as Category 2 or 1 ABPs and not permitted in pet food. The rendering process used for meat meals is regulated to exclude non-nutritive or dangerous tissues, especially in the UK and EU.
While lower-grade pet foods outside the UK may contain poultry feather meal or horn/hair-based protein, these are banned in most European countries. In the UK, meals must originate from inspected, safe, and processed sources.
Reference: European Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 and UK implementation through DEFRA.
Myth #5: "By-Products Are Only Used to Cut Costs"
Truth: While animal derivatives can be cheaper than human-grade cuts, they often provide superior nutrition — and are used in high-quality foods for that reason.
For example:
Liver is a nutritional powerhouse with fat-soluble vitamins
Chicken fat provides essential omega-6 fatty acids and energy
Bone meal (within safe limits) contributes calcium and phosphorus
What cuts costs is not the ingredient but how it’s sourced, processed, and used in the formula. A premium food can contain by-products if they’re traceable, fresh, and nutritionally balanced.
Sustainability and Ethics: Why By-Products Matter
If we only fed pets human-grade cuts, it would significantly increase waste and strain global meat production. By using safe, regulated by-products, pet food manufacturers:
Reduce food waste
Lower environmental impact
Offer more affordable pet food options
Respect the whole animal
From a sustainability and ethical standpoint, using animal derivatives responsibly can be part of a planet-friendly diet for pets.
How to Choose High-Quality Food with Meat Meals or Derivatives
Here’s what to look for if you want to include meat meal or animal derivatives in your dog’s diet confidently:
Named animal source (e.g., “lamb meal,” “beef fat,” not just “animal fat”)
Clear category or origin claims
Complete and balanced to FEDIAF/AAFCO standards
Transparent company sourcing and quality control
Avoid vague terms like “animal digest” unless well explained
You can always contact the manufacturer to ask questions — reputable brands will gladly provide sourcing and nutrient info.
Conclusion: Let’s Stop the Fear-Mongering
Meat meals and animal derivatives are not the villains they’re often made out to be. When sourced and processed properly — as required by UK law — they offer nutritional value, sustainability, and affordability. The key is transparency and regulation, not fear.
As a dog parent, your job is to stay informed and look beyond the marketing. Not every "natural" food is superior, and not every by-product is bad. By understanding the facts, you can feed your dog better — with less guilt and more confidence.
References
DEFRA & APHA. (2022). Animal by-product categories, site approval, hygiene and disposal. GOV.UK
FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines (2021) – European Pet Food Industry Federation
Swanson, K. S., et al. (2013). Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods. Advances in Nutrition, 4(2), 141–150. DOI: 10.3945/an.113.004325
European Commission. (2009). Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 on animal by-products
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) – Pet Food Labeling Guidelines
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