Why You Should Never Use Chicken Meals In Dog Food?

There are many reasons why you should never use chicken meal in your dog’s food. This ingredient is not whole food, and because of its low quality, it does not provide your dog with the right kind of nutrition. Instead, opt for products that contain a higher percentage of meat and are digestible. You can even find some decent products that contain this ingredient at an affordable price. However, you must be sure that you are buying a high-quality product.

dog food

How Is Chicken Meal Made?

The most crucial factor is the source of the chicken feed. Chicken meal is often made from skin and bones, including flesh and other animal parts such as necks, feet, and intestines. It’s worth noting that the sections of the chicken utilized in chicken meals aren’t fit for human eating. In certain circumstances, the chicken meal ingredient is derived from 4D meat (meat from animals that are dead, dying, ill, or crippled), which raises a whole new set of issues, such as the inclusion of extraneous items or unsafe doses of medications. The producer saves money, but the actual penalty is that inferior (and often frightening) substances are introduced into your dog’s diet, compromising their general health.

The chicken pieces are dried and cooked at high temperatures for long periods to make the chicken meal. Rendering is a procedure that separates the fat and eliminates the water to produce a concentrated protein powder that looks like cornmeal, hence the term “meal.”

Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and creatures die due to this high-temperature process. Unfortunately, all nutrients are lost (often referred to as “dead food”), necessitating the application of nutrients artificially to meet AAFCO nutritional requirements.

Why Should You Never Use Chicken Meals In Dog Food?

Here are some significant reasons behind it never using chicken meal in dog food:

  • Real chicken flesh is considered premium. It is the meat and muscle parts of the chicken, and they are easily digestible and contain up to 80% moisture by volume.
  • Deboned chicken is a clean mix of flesh without any bones. In contrast, a chicken meal contains 300% more actual meat than its fresh counterpart.
  • Rendering is necessary to remove the moisture and kill any infectious agents. This is why it’s essential to avoid products with rendered chicken meal as an ingredient.
  • Fresh chicken contains up to 80% water, which means that the nutrients present in it are not easily digestible by your dog. Similarly, the chicken meal has a higher protein content than fresh chicken.
  • Nonetheless, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a portion of dog food with chicken meal as the primary ingredient is healthy. You still have to look for a product containing wholesome ingredients and free from artificial ingredients.
  • Essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are best digested and absorbed in their natural state rather than through chicken meal, pills, or powder supplements.
  • Artificial nutrients are challenging to absorb. While chicken meal is an acceptable protein source in pet food, it is unknown how well pets can digest and utilize it.
  • It all boils down to digestibility, which is essential for optimal nutrition, healthy bodies, lustrous coats, and good stool quality.

If you’re looking for high-quality chicken food for your dog, you should choose the one that has real chicken as the first ingredient. These products are rich in nutrients, and if your dog loves chicken, this will be a great choice. Just be sure to read the ingredients label carefully and check the quality of the meat before you buy it. You might end up with a product that contains more by-products than you would expect.

What Ingredients Do You Want To Avoid In Dog Food?

Dog food is the first item that comes to mind when considering what to feed your dog, and for a good reason. Aside from the name, it’s a terrific diet for your dog because it provides essential nutrients that he needs to become strong and energetic. However, not every ingredient in dog food is safe for your dog. Some have little or no nutritional value, while others serve mainly as fillers or preservatives. And what about the dangerous part? Some pet food components may endanger your dog’s life.
It pays to scrutinize the ingredients of what you feed your dog carefully as a conscientious pet owner. We’ve compiled a list of ten items to avoid in dog food to assist you.

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Butylated hydroxyanisole, generally known as BHA, is first on our list. It’s a chemical preservative used in the production of fats and oils. BHA is permitted in the United States, Canada, and other European countries, but only in modest amounts. Even the slightest amount can endanger your dog’s health if ingested. This compound is classified as a human carcinogen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In dogs, it can be just as lethal. It can harm your dog’s kidneys and liver and irritate their skin and eyes.

White Flour

This starchy component is a simple carbohydrate included in some dog meals as a binding agent and filler. The majority of the nutrients in wheat are removed during the bleaching process. This flour can substantially boost or reduce the blood sugar levels of dogs once swallowed. Furthermore, it only keeps them satisfied for a brief time until they become hungry again. When this happens, your dog eats more food than usual, increasing its chances of becoming obese and developing diabetes.

Meat Meal

Meat is a nutritious meal option for your dog in general. However, there are some meat products that you should avoid because their ingredients are unknown. Meat meals or unlabeled meat ingredients are seen in some dog foods are examples of this. It frequently does not mention the type of meat used, which raises questions about its provenance. Upon closer investigation, these meat dishes generally contain low-quality, expired, or contaminated meat. Fatty tissues or the carcasses of dead animals from shelters can also be found there.
Meat dishes, which have little to no quality control, are merely fillers with little to no protein. As a result, it’s recommended to stay away from them entirely. If you have to acquire a meat meal for your dog, make sure it lists the kind of meat it contains.

Artificial Food Coloring

Colors are enjoyable to add to human cuisine, but they cause more harm than good in animal food. Artificial colors are frequently used to make dog food appear more appealing to the eye—but not for dogs! Instead, these hues are intended to capture the attention of pet owners.
Adding color to dog food, on the other hand, is unneeded for pets. After all, your dog isn’t concerned about the color of its food. Furthermore, the most commonly used food colors (Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 and 6) have been associated with hyperacidity and severe food allergies. Purchase only naturally colored dog food.

Corn Syrup

Is your dog a fan of sugary treats? Take a step back and reconsider your decision. Corn syrup is frequently used in pet treats as a low-cost flavor. Once extracted and processed from corn, this concentrated sweetener has a thick, syrupy consistency. Dogs find it incredibly addictive, so they keep coming back for more. However, it is not a vital part of your dog’s diet. When your dog consumes large amounts of them, its blood sugar levels will rapidly increase and decrease. Allowing your dog to eat corn syrup as part of their food puts them at risk for diabetes and obesity.

Rendered Fat

Rendered fat is an unremarkable component that adds flavor to some pet meals. However, because it comes from unidentified sources, it’s one of those low-quality dog food additives. As a result, rendered fat can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria such as salmonella. It also contains significant pollutants, such as heavy metals, concentrated in fat content.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil appears to be a relatively healthy substance at first appearance. The nutrients in this sort of oil, on the other hand, are dependent on where they came from and how they were processed. Corn and soybean oils are used to make vegetable oil. It contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are beneficial to dogs’ health. However, when added to commercial pet diets, it is in overwhelming proportions, not to mention the other fatty additives in pet food. Omega-6 is a known inflammatory trigger, especially when consumed in large amounts. This can wreak havoc on your dog’s joints, exacerbating arthritis, hip and joint aches, and other diseases.

Farmed Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids for both humans and dogs, as we all know. But there’s a catch: the wrong type of fish might make your dogs sick. Farmed salmon, often known as “salmon meal” or “salmon oil,” is harvested in controlled surroundings rather than in the wild, and they are not as nutritious as fresh salmon. Furthermore, they are high in toxic substances such as mercury, pollution, and other fat-soluble poisons. When these drugs are consumed in large amounts, they can cause cancer in your dog.

Nitrates/Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are compounds used as preservatives in food to extend shelf life. It’s commonly found in deli meats like bacon, ham, hotdogs, sausages, and other prepared meats. However, if given in large amounts, it might be harmful to your dog’s health. In dogs, sodium nitrite, the most prevalent ingredient in preserving cured meats, has been related to cancer and methemoglobin, a blood condition.

Melamine

Melamine is commonly used as a filler component in pet food to meet the required protein level. In reality, it’s a form of nitrogen-containing plastic. This hazardous material has the potential to contaminate your dog’s diet, and this is poisonous to your dog if he eats it. Kidney failure can occur due to melamine consumption, depending on the size of the animal and the amount of melamine added. As a result, one of the worst pet food recalls of 2007 occurred.

What Is The Healthiest Treat For Dogs?

chicken meal

Healthy, natural treats for your dog that are already in your kitchen? Yes! No trip to the pet store is required, and many fruits and vegetables make beautiful treats for dogs.

Apples

An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, and a whole apple would be too much for a dog, but apples are beneficial for dogs just like they are for us! These are fantastic snacks because they are high in nutrients and fiber. Just make sure your dog doesn’t get his hands on the seeds or the core.

Green Peas

Whether frozen or fresh, green peas are a tasty treat that most dogs enjoy. Give a couple to your dog as training treats, or put some in their water bowl. Easy-peasy!

Carrots

Carrots are always present in your kitchen, high in beta carotene and other vitamins. Why not cut up some bite-sized pieces as a nutritious treat? If your dog is prone to swallowing without chewing (labs and beagles, for example), make sure the carrot chunks are the correct size.

Green Beans

Green beans are also edible to dogs. Just make sure the green beans aren’t seasoned when they’re cooked. Please keep it simple, and these are a good source of fiber and greens.

Watermelon

Watermelon is an excellent, hydrating, and healthful food for most dogs, just like it is for humans. Remove any seeds, and don’t feed the rind to your dog.

Conclusion

Chicken meal is made from chicken flesh and is often the first ingredient in a portion of dog food. It contains 80% of the animal’s weight in water, containing more protein than fresh. It’s important to note that a chicken meal is not the star of a dog food recipe, but it’s an essential part of it. A good chicken meal is an essential component of any food, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s the only ingredient. It is also one of the most digestible protein sources for your dog. The best chicken food is made from real meat, but there’s a difference between the two. It’s a better idea to use a chicken by-product meal. It’s not as nutritious as a whole piece of meat, but it will provide more protein and nutrients for your dog.