Chicken meal
Have you ever wondered what chicken meal is and why some dog foods contain it? In this article, you'll find out what chicken meal is, what its advantages and disadvantages are and what you should look out for when buying dog food with chicken meal.
What is chicken meal?
Chicken meal is an animal by-product consisting of dried and ground parts of chickens. This can be meat, bones, skin, feathers or offal. The exact composition of chicken meal varies depending on the manufacturer and quality.
Chicken meal is a common ingredient in dry dog food as it is a concentrated source of protein and fat. One kilogram of chicken meal contains about four times as much protein as one kilogram of fresh chicken meat. Chicken meal is also cheaper and has a longer shelf life than fresh meat.
What are the benefits of chicken meal?
Chicken meal has several benefits for your dog's diet:
- It provides high-quality protein, which is important for muscle building, cell regeneration and your dog's immune system.
- It contains essential amino acids that your dog cannot produce himself and which he must obtain from his food.
- It is a natural source of glucosamine, a building block of cartilage tissue. Glucosamine can help maintain healthy joints, which can help your dog stay active for a long time.
- It is easily digestible and can promote your dog's gut health.
What are the disadvantages of chicken meal?
Chicken meal also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of:
- It can trigger allergies or intolerances in your dog, especially if he is sensitive to poultry. Typical symptoms include itching, skin rashes, diarrhea or vomiting.
- It may contain harmful substances or antibiotics that originate from conventional chicken farming. These can affect your dog's health or lead to resistance.
- It may contain low-quality chicken parts that have little nutritional value or may even be harmful. For example, feathers or beaks can be difficult to digest or have sharp edges that can injure your dog's gastrointestinal tract.
What should you look out for when buying dog food with chicken meal?
If you decide to buy dog food with chicken meal, you should pay attention to the following points:
- The quality of the chicken meal: Make sure that the dog food contains only high-quality chicken meal and not just chicken meal. This means that the meal consists mainly of muscle meat and contains no feathers or other undesirable parts. You can recognize this from the declaration on the packaging.
- The origin of the chicken meal: Make sure that the dog food only contains chicken meal from controlled and species-appropriate animal husbandry.
Chicken meal is an animal by-product made from dried and ground parts of chickens, such as meat, bones, skin and offal. It is often used in dog food as it is a concentrated source of protein. The benefits of chicken meal include high quality protein, essential amino acids and glucosamine for joint health. It is easily digestible, but may cause allergies or intolerances and contain low-quality chicken parts. When buying dog food with chicken meal, the quality and origin of the chicken meal should be taken into account.
If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊
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