Meat Meal & Animal Derivative Myths in Dog Food: What Every Dog Owner Should Know
Are meat meals and animal derivatives in dog food harmful? Discover the truth behind these misunderstood ingredients, what UK regulations allow, and how to choose high-quality food confidently with expert insights from The Canine Dietitian.
Introduction: Fear vs. Fact in Dog Food Ingredients
In today’s pet food world, few ingredients spark more debate than meat meals and animal derivatives. They’re often painted as cheap, low-grade fillers by marketers and influencers aiming to sell more “natural” or “human-grade” products. But much of that fear is based on misinformation — not science.
The truth? When sourced and processed properly, animal by-products like liver, heart, and meat meals offer incredible nutritional value. In many cases, they can even outperform so-called “whole meats” on a dry matter basis.
As The Canine Dietitian, I believe in cutting through the confusion with facts. This article will explore what meat meals and animal derivatives really are, how UK laws (including DEFRA and APHA) regulate their use, and how to make informed, guilt-free decisions about your dog’s diet.
What Are Meat Meals and Animal Derivatives?
Meat Meal
Meat meal is a rendered product made by cooking and drying animal tissue to remove fat and moisture. This process concentrates the protein, creating a highly digestible, shelf-stable ingredient that delivers more protein per gram than raw meat.
What it excludes: Blood, hair, horns, hooves, hide trimmings, stomach contents, and manure.
Animal Derivatives (Animal By-Products)
Animal derivatives refer to any part of the animal not classified as skeletal muscle meat but still packed with nutrition. These may include:
Organ meats: Liver, kidney, heart, lung
Edible fats
Skin and connective tissue
Bone meal (in carefully regulated amounts)
Many of these are highly digestible and rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Dogs, being scavenging carnivores, are biologically adapted to eating these parts of the animal.
UK Regulations: What Do DEFRA and APHA Allow?
In the UK, pet food manufacturing is tightly regulated to ensure safety and nutritional value. The primary governing bodies include:
DEFRA – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
APHA – Animal and Plant Health Agency
FEDIAF – European Pet Food Industry Federation
Animal by-products are classified into three categories under the Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR):
Category 1 High-risk (e.g., pets, zoo animals, TSE-infected)❌ Prohibited
Category 2 Medium-risk (e.g., manure, digestive tract contents)❌ Prohibited
Category 3 Low-risk (fit for human consumption but unused due to cosmetic or surplus reasons)✅ Permitted
Only Category 3 ingredients — from healthy, inspected animals — are allowed in UK pet food. These parts might not make it to supermarket shelves due to aesthetics or supply chains, but they are completely safe and nutritionally sound.
Source: GOV.UK: Animal By-Product Regulations
5 Common Myths About Meat Meals and Animal Derivatives in Dog Food
Myth 1: “Meat Meal Is Inferior to Fresh Meat”
Fact: Meat meal is actually more protein-dense than fresh meat.
Fresh meat contains around 70% water, while meat meals are only 10% moisture and can contain 65%+ protein.
This makes them more efficient protein sources in dry foods.
Tip: In dry food formulas, "chicken meal" often delivers more usable protein than "fresh chicken" listed as the first ingredient.
Myth 2: “Animal Derivatives Are Unsafe or Disgusting”
Fact: Organs like liver, kidney, and heart are nutritional powerhouses.
They provide:
B vitamins and iron
Taurine and CoQ10 for heart health
Vitamin A from liver
Highly digestible proteins
The issue isn’t the ingredient itself — it’s transparency and quality. Reputable UK brands using Category 3 materials are highly regulated and safe.
Myth 3: “‘Meat and Animal Derivatives’ on Labels Means It Could Be Anything”
Fact: While the term is broad, it's legally used when ingredient sources vary batch to batch. It doesn't mean poor quality — just variability.
Look for companies that specify the animal source (e.g., “lamb liver” vs. “meat derivatives”) for more clarity. Brands using “fixed formulas” will usually list specific ingredients, which is helpful for dogs with intolerances.
Tip: If you're unsure, contact the brand directly. Responsible manufacturers will disclose sourcing and ingredients.
Myth 4: “Meat Meals Are Full of Hooves, Hair, or Feathers”
Fact: Not in the UK. These parts are Category 1 or 2 ABPs and are banned from use in pet food.
EU and UK legislation require meat meals to be sourced from safe, edible animal tissue. The idea of "floor scrapings" or "waste parts" being legally allowed is simply not true for UK-manufactured foods.
📎 Regulation: European Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009
Myth 5: “By-Products Are Just Cheap Fillers”
Fact: Many by-products offer superior nutrition compared to muscle meat.
Examples include:
Liver – High in vitamin A, iron, and B12
Chicken fat – Excellent omega-6 and energy source
Bone meal – Natural source of calcium and phosphorus (when used appropriately)
What matters is quality, traceability, and processing, not the name of the ingredient.
Why Meat Meals and By-Products Support Sustainability
Using animal derivatives reduces food waste, lowers the environmental impact of meat production, and ensures that more of each animal is utilised responsibly.
✅ Reduces landfill waste
✅ Provides affordable options for pet owners
✅ Respects the “whole prey” model of nutrition
✅ Supports a circular economy in food systems
📎 Study: Swanson et al., 2013 – Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods (Advances in Nutrition)
How to Choose a Quality Dog Food That Includes Meat Meals or Derivatives
Look for the following:
✅ Named animal source (e.g., “duck meal,” “beef liver”) if your dog as an intolerance/allergy
✅ Clearly stated FEDIAF or AAFCO compliance
✅ Transparent sourcing and quality assurance
✅ Fixed recipes (for dogs with allergies or intolerances)
❌ Avoid vague terms like “animal digest” unless defined
When in doubt, ask. Trustworthy brands will always be happy to explain what’s in your dog’s bowl.
Conclusion: Let’s Replace Fear with Facts
Animal by-products and meat meals are not something to fear — they're something to understand. With UK laws providing strict oversight and scientific evidence backing their nutritional benefits, these ingredients deserve a place in balanced, affordable, and sustainable pet nutrition.
At The Canine Dietitian, I help dog owners make confident food choices based on facts, not fear. Whether you're feeding raw, cooked, or commercial, it's the quality, formulation, and sourcing that matter most — not just what's on the label.
References:
DEFRA & APHA. (2022). Animal by-product regulations. GOV.UK
FEDIAF (2021). Nutritional Guidelines
Swanson, K. S. et al. (2013). Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods. Advances in Nutrition, 4(2), 141–150. DOI: 10.3945/an.113.004325
European Commission (2009). Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009
AAFCO (2021). Pet Food Labeling Guide
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