What Are Meat By-Products in Pet Food?

Few pet food ingredients are as misunderstood as “meat by-products.” The name sounds unappealing, but the reality is more nuanced — and often more nutritious — than the label suggests. Here is a clear-eyed look at what by-products actually are and whether they belong in your pet’s bowl.

What By-Products Really Are

In pet food, meat by-products are the parts of an animal beyond skeletal muscle — organs like liver, kidney, and spleen, along with other clean, non-rendered parts. Many of these are nutrient-dense tissues that wild carnivores eat first. By regulatory definition, by-products exclude things like hair, horns, and teeth.

Are They Nutritious?

Often, yes. Organ meats are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals — liver, for example, is packed with vitamin A, iron, and B vitamins. In many cases by-products deliver nutrition that plain muscle meat cannot, which is why they appear in high-quality foods as well as budget ones.

By-Products vs. Named Meals

You will also see “by-product meal,” which is by-products that have been cooked and dried into a concentrated powder. Because the water is removed, meals are a dense source of protein. A named source, such as “chicken by-product meal,” is more informative than a generic “meat by-product meal.”

Where the Reputation Comes From

By-products earned a poor reputation partly from marketing by brands that exclude them and partly from the unappetizing image the word conjures. Quality varies by manufacturer, so the presence of by-products alone does not make a food good or bad — the overall formulation and sourcing matter most.

What to Look For

When evaluating by-products on a label, consider:

• A named animal source (chicken, beef) rather than generic “meat”
• An AAFCO complete-and-balanced statement
• A manufacturer transparent about sourcing and quality control
• The whole recipe, not a single ingredient in isolation

The Bottom Line

Meat by-products are not the filler many assume — they are often nutritious organ tissues. Judge them by their named source and the quality of the overall food rather than the off-putting name, and choose brands you trust to source responsibly.

References

• Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), Official Publication, 2023
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Pet Food Ingredient Definitions, 2023
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, Ingredient Literacy Resources, 2021