Wheat bran and middlings are two closely related by-products from wheat flour milling that have traditionally been considered laxatives for people or feed for livestock. Use of wheat bran and middlings in petfood emerged from positive performance in feed applications and their relatively low cost when teamed with commodity ingredients like meat and bone meal, corn and soybean meal in economy or value brands.
Because of these humble origins, many would prefer to cast wheat milling by-products aside. Wheat bran and middlings can still be found in numerous petfoods today. They remain an economical ingredient. But as biomedical research teaches us more about these "branny coats" of wheat, the negative connotation of "cheap filler" may be undeserved and may overlook their nutritional benefits.
