What is Chicken Meal in Cat Food, and Is It a Quality Ingredient?

what is chicken meal in cat food

What is chicken meal in cat food? Is that chicken meal in my cat food? Why would I want to feed my kitty something that is not good for him?

Chicken meal is a by-product of the poultry industry that contains over 60% protein, making it an excellent alternative to more expensive ingredients like meat. It has also been used in pet food for many years because it’s rich in amino acids and other nutrients.

Contrary to popular belief, chicken meal is a quality source of protein and fat. It’s just what the company put in your pet’s food! In addition, the chicken meal provides high levels of essential amino acids, which promote strong muscles and immune systems.

Cat owners may be surprised to know they are already feeding their pets this ingredient without even knowing it! 

We recently updated the list of moist cat foods that might also like because these are easy to chew and formulated for best results, especially for sick cats.

How is Chicken Meal Made?

Chicken meal is typically made using various parts of the chicken, such as necks, bones, skin, intestine, feet, and meat.

In other situations, the chicken meal component is derived from 4D meat (meat from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals), which raises a slew of new issues, including the potential presence of foreign objects or hazardous amounts of pharmaceuticals.

The carcass is cooked at a high temperature to dissolve the fat and water, extracting protein and minerals from the bone. Then, moisture is removed, and what remains is concentrated into a very high protein powder that provides essential amino acids for cats.

The finished product is then screened for contaminants, and the best quality meal is packed and sold to pet food manufacturers. During this high-temperature process, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and organisms die.

Many are agree that valuable nutrients also die that is the reason it is called dead meat sometimes. But on the other side, it helps the manufacturer to save money.

Benefits of Chicken Meal for Cats

Chicken meal is an excellent alternative to meat because it’s rich in amino acids and other nutrients, which promote strong muscles and immune systems.

It contains high levels of essential amino acids, which are necessary for lean muscle tissue development.

Many sources say that some nutritional benefits may be lost during the rendering process; however, research has shown this not to be the case.

Chicken meal is also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin and coat and reducing inflammation.

The high-quality protein in chicken meals helps cats maintain their muscle mass as they age and help reduce the incidence of obesity.

Chicken meal is an excellent protein source for cats because it’s low in carbohydrates and ash, ensuring that nutritional needs are met without unnecessary fillers.

It is economical to use due to the concentrated nature of the product; using chicken meals helps save money on future meals with little impact on your pet’s diet.

Possible Drawbacks of Chicken Meal in Cat Food

The main drawback of the chicken meal is that it can be sourced from animals that have died from various causes.

Some people believe that the high-temperature cooking process used to create chicken meals destroys many of the beneficial nutrients present in the raw product. However, research has shown this not to be the case.

The high heat used in the rendering process does not damage the amino acids, fatty acids, or other nutrients that are essential for your cat’s health.

Chicken meal is also criticized because it can be sourced from 4D animals (animals that have died from disease, disability, accident, or even animals euthanized by shelters).

Some animal rights activists say that even though the rendering process is high-temperature, it is still not wholly sterilized.

However, there are food-grade enzymes and other ingredients added during this process to prevent bacterial contamination.

Rendering is also almost always done in a facility where waste disposal has been safely conducted or is tightly regulated for health and safety to ensure that meat products are not contaminated.

Recommendation about Chicken Meal in Cat Food

The chicken meal should comprise at least 20% of the cat’s diet because it is an excellent source of essential amino acids and other nutrients.

Since cats require high levels of protein, chicken meal is a great way to help them get this extra protein.

Is it Made From the Parts of the Chicken That People Don’t Eat?

Many people wonder if the chicken meal is made from the parts of the chicken that we don’t eat.

There is a belief that it’s created from everything but meat, and it might contain toxic chemicals and harmful by-products which can make your cat sick.

But in fact, most manufacturers follow strict guidelines to ensure they only use the best, most nutritious parts of the chicken.

The chicken meal is made from raw chicken that has been rendered, or cooked at a high temperature, to destroy any harmful bacteria or viruses.

This process also kills any parasites or other organisms that may be present.

As a fur baby parent, you need to take a step further and learn how far can a cat smell food and what to look for in cat food? So you can buy quality cat food and possibly avoid foods with the chicken meal which are low cost but doesn’t have all the necessary nutrients.

Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to using chicken meal as a protein source in your cat’s diet. First, it is a high-quality protein low in carbohydrates and ash, ensuring that nutritional needs are met without unnecessary fillers.