Understanding Dog & Cat Food Labels

When turning over a bag of dog or cat food, you are likely to see ingredients like "chicken meal" or "salmon meal" near the top. But what exactly are these, and are they good for your pet?

What is "Meal"? In pet food, a "meal" (like chicken meal or beef meal) is meat that has been cooked down to remove water. This leaves behind a concentrated powder that is very rich in protein.

• **Whole Chicken**: Contains about 70% water. Once cooked, much of that water weight is lost, meaning the actual amount of protein left over is smaller.
• **Chicken Meal**: Contains very little water and is mostly protein. This makes it a great, high-protein ingredient for dry pet foods.

Choosing High-Quality Food - **Look for Named Meats**: Look for labels that name the specific meat, like "Chicken Meal," "Lamb Meal," or "Salmon Meal." These are excellent, healthy sources of nutrition. - **Avoid Generic Labels**: Avoid bags that simply say "meat meal" or "animal meal" without saying what kind of animal it comes from.

How to Pick Always look for named healthy proteins as the first few ingredients on the bag. A good mix of whole meats and named meals ensures your furry friend gets all the daily nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.