What’s Really In Your Dog’s Food & Biscuits?

JessicasK9Kitchen
Aug 1
4 min read

Updated: Aug 19

The Truth About Processed Meat Meals & Animal By-Products

When you're picking up a bag of dog biscuits, dog food and or treats, the packaging might say things like “rich in protein” or “made with meat.” But have you ever looked closely at the ingredients list?

Many commercial dog biscuits & treats include something called meat meal, animal by-products, or vague terms like “meat and animal derivatives.”

So, what does that really mean and is it something your dog should be eating?

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what’s in your dog’s food & treats, where it comes from, and how to spot better-quality alternatives.

Close-up view of a bowl filled with mixed wet and dry dog food — "Meat Meal"

🥩 What Is “Processed Meat Meal” in Dogs Food & Treats?

Meat Meal or Meat & Bone Meal is a highly processed powder used in many pet foods and treats. It's made by cooking animal parts at high temperatures to remove moisture and fat, then grinding the remaining material into a dry meal.

Common types of processed meals:

Chicken meal
Beef meal
Lamb meal
Turkey meal
Meat Meal
Meat & Bone Meal

These meals are shelf-stable and protein-dense, but the quality depends heavily on what parts of the animal were used, how it was processed and stored.

⚠️ What Are Animal By-Products?

Animal by-products are parts of an animal that aren’t usually eaten by humans, but are still used in pet food and dog treats especially in cheaper or mass-produced products.

These are often the leftover parts after the main cuts of meat (like breast, thigh, or fillet) are removed for human use.

🧠 What Counts as a By-Product?

By-products can include:

Heads, feet, tails, and beaks – often from poultry or livestock
Organs like lungs, spleens, stomachs, and intestines
Skin, cartilage, ligaments, and bone fragments
Feathers, hooves, fur, or wool – sometimes processed into protein meal

While some of these parts do contain nutrients, many are hard to digest, offer low nutritional value, or aren’t suitable for sensitive dogs.

⚖️ Are By-Product meals Legal?

Yes, in both the UK and EU, animal by-products are legally allowed in dog treats and pet foods. These by-products must come from animals that were passed as fit for human consumption at the point of slaughter, even if the specific parts used (like lungs, feet, or intestines) would not be sold for human food.

But here’s where it gets complicated…

🕵️‍♂️ The Problem With Vague Labels

Pet food manufacturers are allowed to use very general terms like:

"Meat and animal derivatives"
"Animal by-product meal"
"Meat meal"
"Poultry derivatives"

These labels don’t always tell you:

What animal the ingredient came from (e.g. chicken? beef? pork?)
What parts were used (e.g. muscle meat? hooves? feathers?)
What quality those parts were

This lack of transparency makes it impossible to understand.

Fresh Meat Is Held to Higher Standards

Now contrast that with fresh meat or named meat ingredients, like:

“Fresh chicken breast”
“British lamb”
“Duck liver”
“100% beef heart”

These ingredients are:

✅ Clearly labelled (you know exactly what meat and cut is used)
✅ Often single-source, which reduces allergy risks
✅ Sourced from animals raised for human consumption
✅ Regulated more strictly for handling, transport, and hygiene
✅ Easier for dogs to digest and absorb nutrients from

In short, fresh meat must meet higher quality, traceability, and safety standards than by-product meals.

Fresh Meat vs Meals, What’s the Difference?

🧾 Labelling

Fresh Meat: Clearly named on the label — like “Fresh chicken,” “Beef liver,” or “Duck breast.”
Meals: Usually vague and generic — labelled as “meat meal,” “animal derivatives,” or “animal by-product.”

🐄 Animal Source

Fresh Meat: You know exactly what animal it comes from.
Meals: Could be a mix of different animals, often without specifying which ones.

🥩 Meat Quality

Fresh Meat: High-quality cuts that are protein-rich and easy for dogs to digest.
Meals: Often made from low-value parts like bones, skin,
connective tissue — or even feathers and hooves.

🚫 Allergy Risk

Fresh Meat: Easy to spot and avoid known allergens if your dog has sensitivities.
Meals: Hidden proteins can trigger unexpected allergic reactions.

📜 Legal Standards

Fresh Meat: Held to stricter standards — including hygiene, traceability, and handling.
Meals: Still legal, but with looser definitions and less transparency required.

🐾 Why This Matters for Your Dog:

Clear labelling = informed choices – You know exactly what you're feeding.
Named fresh meat = better digestion & nutrition – Less chance of tummy issues.
Avoiding Meals = fewer mystery ingredients – Safer for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

If you want to feed your dog better, always look for clearly named meats and avoid vague terms like “meat and animal derivatives” or “animal meal.”

🛒 Ready to Explore Better?

Now that you know the difference between fresh meat, meat meals and animal by-products, you're in a better position to make smarter, healthier choices for your dog.

If you’re looking for natural, clearly labelled, and nutritious food you’re in the right place.