What Is Chicken Meal in Dog Food (and Cat Food)?

Chicken meal vs poultry meal: what it means on the label, what to look for, and why it matters for sensitive pets.

If you’ve searched “what is chicken meal in dog food” (or cat food), you’re not alone. “Meal” sounds confusing—and some pet owners assume it’s a low-quality ingredient.

The truth: a named meat meal (like chicken meal) can be a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient when it’s made and sourced properly.

Below is a simple, clear explanation of what chicken meal is, how it compares to poultry meal, and what to look for on the ingredient panel.

Quick answer: Chicken meal is chicken cooked to remove water, then dried into a concentrated protein ingredient used in kibble.

What Is Chicken Meal in Dog Food?

Chicken meal is made by cooking chicken to remove most of the water, then drying it into a concentrated powder.

Because fresh meat contains a lot of moisture, “meal” ends up being more nutrient-dense and higher in protein per gram than fresh meat after cooking.

Why it’s used in kibble:

• Helps create a kibble that’s high in quality protein
• Creates a more nutrient-dense recipe
• It typically takes 3–5 kg of fresh meat to produce 1 kg of meal

What Is Chicken Meal in Cat Food?

The definition is the same: chicken meal in cat food is also a cooked, dried, concentrated protein ingredient.  Because cats are obligate carnivores (they rely heavily on animal-based nutrition), many cat foods use named animal proteins as a key part of the formula.

Is Chicken Meal “Bad”?

Not automatically. The key question isn’t “Is it a meal?” — it’s what the meal is made from, and how specific it is.

A top-quality pet food will use:

• Named meat meals (e.g., Chicken Meal) …rather than:
• ❌ By-product meals (e.g., Chicken-by-product meal)
• ❌ Un-named meals (e.g., Poultry Meal)

Chicken Meal vs Poultry Meal: What’s the Difference?

This is the part most people miss—and it matters a lot for pets with sensitivities.

✅ Chicken Meal (Named Meal)

Chicken meal is made from a specific animal source (chicken).  In high-quality foods, it’s made from muscle meat and bone.

Best for:

• Pet owners who want clarity and consistency
• Dogs/cats with food sensitivities who need a known protein source

⚠️ Poultry Meal (Un-named Meal)

Poultry meal can include meat from multiple unknown poultry sources.

Why that can be a problem:

• If your pet has a food intolerance, you may not know which proteins are included
• It can be harder to keep diets consistent when the protein sources aren’t clearly defined

This matters for both dog food and cat food, especially if your pet needs a consistent, known protein source.

What About Chicken By-Product Meal?

By-product meals are generally considered inferior sources of protein compared to named meat meals. They may include less desirable parts (for example, beaks and feathers), which is why many premium brands avoid them.

FAQs

• Is chicken meal the same as chicken by-product meal? No — chicken meal is a named meal; by-product meal may include less desirable parts.
• Is poultry meal always bad? Not always, but it can be less specific, which matters for intolerances.
• Why do some foods use meal instead of fresh meat? Meal is concentrated and helps create a protein-dense kibble.

Preservatives: What You Might Not See on the Label

Another thing to be aware of: some manufacturers may use preservatives on meat between slaughter and the processing plant, such as:

• Ethoxyquin
• BHA
• BHT

These preservatives may not appear on the finished pet food label, depending on when and where they were applied in the supply chain.

What to look for instead

Choose brands that focus on sourcing and use natural preservatives, such as mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E).

Example (from Petcurean - makers of Now Fresh and Go! Solutions): Petcurean commits to ensuring their meat meals are not preserved with ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT between slaughter and processing, and requires suppliers to use natural preservatives (Vitamin E).

Quick Label Checklist: What to Choose

When you’re scanning ingredients, look for:

• ✅ Named meals: “Chicken meal”, “Lamb meal”, “Salmon meal”
• ✅ Clear, consistent protein sources (especially for sensitive pets)
• ✅ Brands that prioritise sourcing and natural preservation
• ❌ “By-product meal”
• ❌ “Poultry meal” (if your pet has intolerances or you want full clarity)

What To Do Next

If you’re trying to choose a food and want more label clarity, we offer clear ingredients lists and nutritional information for all our products so you can be crystal clear on what's in your pet food (and what's not!)  Want to choose a recipe with clear, named proteins? Start here:

Want help choosing the right recipe?

If your dog or cat has sensitivities—or you’re unsure whether a named meal vs poultry meal matters for your pet—get in touch and we’ll help you narrow it down.

Get in Touch Get in Touch