Chicken meal: Is there anything new with this ingredient’s use in pet food?

A staple in pet food chicken meal has undergone modest changes to its definition and composition in the past 15 years, but challenges remain.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

April 10, 2018

With an unclear definition and certain quality concerns, chicken meal in pet food has several issues that seem here to stay. | Lars Christnsen, Dreamstime.com

With an unclear definition and certain quality concerns, chicken meal in pet food has several issues that seem here to stay. | Lars Christnsen, Dreamstime.com

There hasn’t been much additional information forthcoming about chicken or poultry meal for some time. Most of the activity has moved to debates and controversies over the more exotic ingredients. However, this doesn’t mean that we’re not seeing some subtle changes over time. Most of this is a rehash of issues from yesteryear like ingredient definition, concern over composition and nutritional quality, and stability.

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It IS possible to produce balanced vegetarian/vegan dog diets

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The future of protein for pet food is now

In a recent webinar, David Meeker and Greg Aldrich discussed our current protein situation and what the future holds with an eye toward expanding our options.

Alternatives to animal proteins, such as pea protein, may be part of what stabilizes the future’s protein supply chain. (dlerick I iStock.com)

Plant-based proteins in pet food: the new, novel, niche

New sources of plant-based proteins may be part of the answer for extending and expanding the supply of protein in pet foods. These will provide a novel approach to the thought process beyond traditional sources.

The options for plant-based proteins in pet food are expanding all the time. | nevodka | iStock.com

Single cell proteins: Yeast an emerging protein ingredient for pet food

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Yeast has potential as a high-quality, sustainable protein source in pet food formulations. (falaha I shutterstock.com)

Insect proteins: Commercial-scale options for pet food

Black soldier fly larvae as a protein meal have emerged on the pet food ingredient scene.

With the recent approval of black soldier fly larvae for use in adult dog foods, insect protein options bear additional consideration. | (TARAPONG PATTAMACHAIYANT | iStock.com)

Emerging protein sources in pet food

Insect proteins, single-cell proteins, microalgae and pulse proteins will expand pet food's options as alternative proteins gain ground.

As the need for alternative proteins increases across the board, pet food will be among those segments looking for options. | (ARISA THEPBANCHORNCHAI | iStock.com)

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Beef as an ingredient gets high marks from both dogs and cats, but it’s not without its challenges. | (kozorog | iStock.com)

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Dr. Greg Aldrich provides an overview of the origin and potential benefit for adding cheese to pet foods and treats.

Cheese can be found in several pet food and treat products, but the potential benefits of cheese as an ingredient have yet to be fully explored. | (Lysikova Irina | Shutterstock.com)

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