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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Pork Plasma

A useful protein with a binding job

Pork plasma is the liquid separated from pig blood after the blood cells are removed, usually dried for pet food. It supplies digestible protein and helps wet food hold its shape. Claims that it protects a dog's gut go beyond the evidence.

Role in the food Does a job
Pork Plasma
What it is
The protein-rich liquid separated from pig blood cells, commonly concentrated and dried before use in pet food.
Made from
Blood collected during pork processing
Main job
Protein and wet food binding
Typical amount
A few percent in tested dog food formulas
Watch for
Dogs with a diagnosed pork allergy
Not the same as
Whole blood meal

Straight answer

Is Pork Plasma safe for dogs?

Read it as protein with a binding job

Pork plasma low on a kibble ingredient list is a small protein addition. In wet food, it may chiefly hold the chunks or loaf together. Check the named meats and the finished food's protein on a dry matter basis before judging the recipe. Avoid it if your dog has a diagnosed pork allergy.

Why it is in the food
Protein and wet food binding

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 114 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

<1%

28 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 6 brands. 27 wet dog food, 1 dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 9.5. In the top five of 1 food, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $5.17
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 2 priced foods, 59% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

64%

of the foods that list it are from Royal Canin. 6 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Pork processing produces blood that needs prompt handling. Manufacturers separate its liquid fraction from the cells, concentrate it, and often spray-dry it. The powder provides protein and binds ingredients in wet food.7,8

  1. 01 // Source Collected pig blood Blood collected during pork processing receives an anticoagulant so it stays liquid during handling.
  2. 02 // Process Cells separated A centrifuge separates red blood cells from the liquid plasma, which contains soluble proteins.
  3. 03 // Process Concentrated and dried Filtration or evaporation removes water before spray drying turns the concentrated plasma into powder.
  4. 04 // Output Plasma powder The dried powder reaches pet food plants as an ingredient for kibble or wet food.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

87.5

% protein

Protein measured in one dried plasma batch. Plasma is an animal protein source, although the amount varies between products.

Crude protein 87.5%5
Ash 7.8%5
Total fat 0.5%5

These rows describe one dried batch, not a fixed specification. Another tested powder had less protein and more ash. Concentration methods also change how much salt remains.5,6,7

Why it is in the bag

Mostly a wet food binder, with some protein

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

In wet food, pork plasma's soluble proteins hold water and firm chunks and loaves. Tests found 1.5 or 2.5% plasma gave harder chunks with less water loss than wheat gluten. Labels list ingredients by weight, so when plasma appears in the middle of the list, below the meats, it likely adds only a modest share of the food's protein. That protein is well digested, but the meats above it supply most of it.2,7,11

  1. 01

    Adds animal protein

    Plasma contributes protein that dogs digest well. It can add protein alongside meat ingredients without bringing much fat into the formula.2,5

  2. 02

    Binds wet food

    Its soluble proteins hold water and help keep cooked chunks or loaves together. Wet food tests found firmer chunks and less water loss than with wheat gluten.7

  3. 03

    Uses a pork coproduct

    Industrial blood collection supplies a processing stream that would otherwise need another destination. Drying makes it shippable, while its protein and binding properties give manufacturers two uses for one ingredient.7,8

How much Dog kibble trials tested 1 to 12% dried plasma; wet food binding tests used 1.5 to 2.5%.1,2,7

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Plasma supplies digestible animal protein

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    An 8-dog feeding study estimated plasma protein digestibility at 91.2%, and one dried batch measured 87.5% protein on a dry basis. It is a real protein source, though the digestibility estimate comes from a small trial.2,5

  2. Brands say

    Plasma improves digestion and reduces stool

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Supplier-authored trials involving 22 Beagles reported about 15% less fecal dry matter. An 8-dog trial found no fecal-output difference at 4 to 12% plasma. A dependable stool reduction has not been shown.1,2

  3. Brands say

    Dogs find food with plasma tastier

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 20-dog choice study, 2% plasma drew more first choices, while 4% drew fewer. A separate 20-dog test also favored the control food over a 4% plasma food. Preference depends on the recipe and amount.2,4

  4. Brands say

    Plasma antibodies protect your dog's gut

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 12-dog trial found higher fecal IgA with an 8% plasma diet. It did not show that plasma antibodies caused the change, prevent illness, or treat gut disease. The protection claim remains untested in dogs.3

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies digestible animal protein. In wet food, it also helps bind water into chunks or loaves. Those are useful jobs, even when pork plasma contributes only a small part of the recipe.2,5,7

  2. Q02

    Is it blood meal?

    No

    Blood meal comes from dried blood. Pork plasma is separated from the blood cells before drying, so it contains a different mix of proteins. The names describe different ingredients.7,8

  3. Q03

    Does it treat gut problems?

    No proof

    The 12-dog trial studied healthy dogs and measured an immune marker and changes in fecal bacteria. It did not test treatment or prevention of gut disease.3

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Royal Canin 18 / 160
  2. Eukanuba 4 / 35
  3. Hill's 2 / 116
  4. Go! Solutions 2 / 46
  5. Nutro 1 / 71
  6. NutriSource 1 / 91

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 86%
  2. Water Sufficient for Processing 75%
  3. Pork By-Products 64%
  4. Powdered Cellulose 64%
  5. Pork Liver 61%
  6. Wheat Flour 39%
  7. Chicken Liver 39%
  8. Brewers Rice 39%
  9. Chicken By-Product 32%
  10. Carrots 29%
  11. Wheat Gluten 29%
  12. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 25%

On the shelf

Foods that list Pork Plasma

28 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Go! Solutions Sensitivities Shredded Turkey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Sensitivities Shredded Turkey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Puppy Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Puppy Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelRoyal Canin Large Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Large Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelEukanuba Adult Beef & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Adult Beef & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelEukanuba Adult Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Adult Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition French Bulldog Loaf In Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition French Bulldog Loaf In Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Shredded Chicken Wet Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Shredded Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelNutro Natural Choice Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Natural Choice Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Beauty Adult Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Beauty Adult Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Adult Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Adult Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Adult In Gel Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Adult In Gel Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the label
Show 16 more
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition X-Small Puppy Thin Slices In Gravy Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition X-Small Puppy Thin Slices In Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelEukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelEukanuba Adult Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Adult Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Urinary SO thin slices in gravy Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Urinary SO thin slices in gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mature 8+ Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mature 8+ Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Weight Control loaf in sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Weight Control loaf in sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelRoyal Canin Starter Mother & Babydog Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Starter Mother & Babydog Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Health Nutrition Canine Advanced Mobility Support loaf in sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Health Nutrition Canine Advanced Mobility Support loaf in sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelRoyal Canin Comfort Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Comfort Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelRoyal Canin Weight Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Weight Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Mature Adult in Gel Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Mature Adult in Gel Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Digestive Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Digestive Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on intake and apparent digestibility in dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2004 // Journal
  2. 2 Spray-dried porcine plasma in dog foods: implications on digestibility, palatability and haematology Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 2019 // Journal
  3. 3 Effects of spray-dried plasma on nutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites, microbiota, and immune and inflammatory biomarkers in adult dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  4. 4 Palatability Testing of Spray-Dried Animal Plasma-Infused Dog Foods and Treats Applied Sciences, 2024 // Journal
  5. 5 Microbial and molecular signatures for enhanced gut health in pigs fed a diet with spray-dried plasma as functional protein source Frontiers in Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  6. 6 Comparative Analysis of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma and Hydrolyzed Porcine Protein as Animal-Blood-Derived Protein Ingredients for Pet Nutrition Molecules, 2023 // Journal
  7. 7 Spray-Dried Animal Plasma as a Multifaceted Ingredient in Pet Food Animals, 2023 // Journal
  8. 8 Biosafety steps in the manufacturing process of spray-dried plasma: a review with emphasis on the use of ultraviolet irradiation as a redundant biosafety procedure Porcine Health Management, 2020 // Journal
  9. 9 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats BMC Veterinary Research, 2016 // Journal
  10. 10 Biological Contaminants U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  11. 11 Ingredients - Making Pet Food Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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