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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Meat By-Products

Useful animal tissue with an undisclosed source

Meat by-products are unrendered mammal parts such as liver, kidney, lung and bone. They supply animal protein and other nutrients. The generic label leaves both the species and the mix of parts undisclosed.

Role in the food Main nutrition
Meat By-Products
What it is
Clean, unrendered parts from slaughtered mammals, including organs and sometimes bone, used in pet food.
Made from
Organs and other parts of slaughtered mammals
Main job
Animal protein and nutrients
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Undisclosed species in an allergy diet
Not the same as
Meat by-product meal

Straight answer

Is Meat By-Products safe for dogs?

Check the food, then ask about species

If meat by-products sit high on the list, they contribute substantial wet weight, but the list gives no amount or dry protein share. Check the food's nutritional adequacy statement and ask the maker which species and parts it uses. Choose a more specific label when an allergy diet requires one.

Why it is in the food
Animal protein and nutrients

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 36 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

88 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 7 brands. 87 wet dog food, 1 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 4. In the top five of 72 foods, so it is usually a main 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 $5.08
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 1 priced foods, 56% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

56%

of the foods that list it are from Purina. 7 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Slaughter and meat cutting leave organs and other parts outside the main meat cuts. Pet food makers use this stream as an animal ingredient. Unlike a meal, meat by-products are not rendered before use.3,4,6

  1. 01 // Source Slaughtered mammals The generic label permits parts from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats without naming the species.
  2. 02 // Process Parts separated Organs and other permitted parts are collected apart from the muscle cuts sold as meat.
  3. 03 // Process Contents removed Stomachs and intestines qualify only after their contents have been removed.
  4. 04 // Output Unrendered parts The parts enter pet food production without first being cooked and dried into meal.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

66.3

% protein

A retailer's dry matter figure for beef liver, one permitted organ. It does not describe the undisclosed mix behind a generic meat by-products label.

Beef liver, crude protein 66.3%9
Beef liver, fat 14.3%9
Beef liver, ash 5.6%9

These figures describe a single beef liver product, not generic meat by-products. Protein and fat vary among permitted tissues; the label does not reveal the organ, fat or bone shares.2,3,9

Why it is in the bag

A main animal protein when listed near the top

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

Ingredient lists run by weight, so when meat by-products sit near the top, they are one of the animal ingredients the food is built on. Makers use them because parts set aside during slaughter and meat cutting can go to animal feed. Beef liver, one permitted organ, is about 66% protein on a dry matter basis. Lower on a list, they likely add less of the food's protein.4,6,9

  1. 01

    Supplies animal protein

    Organs contribute protein to the recipe. The amount and amino acid balance depend on which parts enter the blend, so judge the finished food's nutritional information.1,2,9

  2. 02

    Uses the slaughter stream

    Meat cutting leaves usable parts outside the main cuts. Selling them for pet food gives that material a market and manufacturers another source of animal ingredients.6

  3. 03

    Fits wet food production

    Canned food makers blend animal ingredients with water and other ingredients, then seal and heat the cans. Unrendered parts fit that process.3,7

How much The ingredient list gives meat by-products' rank by weight, but does not publish their percentage in the recipe.4

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. Critics say

    The generic name hides which mammal supplied it

    Evidence

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

    AAFCO permits the generic name for parts from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats. The label does not identify which of those 4 supplied the ingredient or disclose its mix of parts. Other mammal species must be named.3,4

  2. Vets say

    Organ by-products give dogs useful protein

    Evidence

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

    A beef liver product lists 66.3% protein on a dry matter basis. A dog feeding trial tested diets with several animal ingredients, but did not isolate the exact generic ingredient on this label.1,9

  3. Critics say

    Meat by-products are just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    One permitted organ, beef liver, is listed at 66.3% protein on a dry matter basis. Such tissue contributes nutrients. The valid criticism is that the generic name reveals neither the species nor the blend.3,4,9

  4. Owners say

    The ingredient includes roadkill, hooves and dead pets

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    AAFCO's standard covers parts from slaughtered mammals and excludes hooves. The generic name applies without a species declaration only to cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. It does not authorize roadkill or pets.3,4,5,6

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Organs supply protein and other nutrients. A generic name does not tell you the exact blend, so it cannot prove ingredient quality either. Check the finished food's nutrient information and nutritional adequacy statement.3,4,9

  2. Q02

    Is it the same as meal?

    No

    Meat by-products enter the recipe unrendered. A meal has already been cooked, dried and ground. Water in unrendered parts affects their weight on the ingredient list, which does not show their dry protein contribution.3,4

  3. Q03

    Can I identify the animal?

    Not here

    The generic name does not distinguish cattle, pig, sheep or goat parts. If your dog needs an elimination diet, choose a food with a carefully controlled protein source rather than relying on this label.4,8

  4. Q04

    Does it mean organs only?

    No

    Liver, kidney and lung are permitted, but so are blood, bone and certain fatty tissues. The ingredient list gives no breakdown. Ask the maker if the specific parts matter to you.3

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Purina 49 / 185
  2. Pedigree 26 / 42
  3. Iams 7 / 31
  4. Gravy Train 2 / 6
  5. Ol' Roy 2 / 6
  6. Eukanuba 1 / 35
  7. Cesar 1 / 45

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

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 91%
  2. Wheat Gluten 59%
  3. Liver 55%
  4. Potassium Chloride 55%
  5. Zinc Sulfate 55%
  6. Copper Sulfate 52%
  7. Minerals 51%
  8. Manganese Sulfate 51%
  9. Potassium Iodide 51%
  10. Beef 48%
  11. Water 42%
  12. Corn Starch-Modified 32%

On the shelf

Foods that list Meat By-Products

88 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Eukanuba Puppy with Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodEukanubaEukanuba Puppy with Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 1 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 1 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouch, Beef, Bacon, & Cheese Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouch, Beef, Bacon, & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 2 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 2 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Lamb in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Lamb in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sport Puppy High Protein Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sport Puppy High Protein Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelOl’ Roy Meaty Loaf Chicken and Beef Loaf for Puppies Can Wet Dog FoodOl' RoyOl’ Roy Meaty Loaf Chicken and Beef Loaf for Puppies Can Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelOl’ Roy Country Chicken Stew Flavor Cuts in Gravy Can Wet Dog FoodOl' RoyOl’ Roy Country Chicken Stew Flavor Cuts in Gravy Can Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelIams Proactive Health With Lamb AND Rice Classic Ground Dog Food TopperIamsIams Proactive Health With Lamb AND Rice Classic Ground Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Beef, Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Beef, Bacon & Cheese Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the label
Show 48 more
Iams Adult Beef Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Adult Beef Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelIams Proactive Health Puppy With Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Puppy With Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelIams Adult Lamb Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Adult Lamb Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelIams Adult Chicken Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Adult Chicken Chunks IN Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouch, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouch, Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Puppy Pouch, Turkey Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Pouch, Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Weight Management Chopped Ground Dinner Adult, Chicken & Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Weight Management Chopped Ground Dinner Adult, Chicken & Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Small Dog Food with Tender Bites, Steak & Vegetable Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Small Dog Food with Tender Bites, Steak & Vegetable Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree High Protein Adult Can, Beef & Lamb Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Adult Can, Beef & Lamb Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree High Protein Adult Can, Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Adult Can, Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Cans, Country Stew and Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Cans, Country Stew and Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, T-bone Steak Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, T-bone Steak Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Puppy Pouch, Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Pouch, Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Puppy Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken, Liver & Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken, Liver & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Prime Rib, Rice, and Vegetable Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Prime Rib, Rice, and Vegetable Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken and Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Chicken and Rice Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner, Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner, Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Country Stew Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Country Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouches, Grilled Chicken & Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouches, Grilled Chicken & Filet Mignon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Steak & Vegetable Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Steak & Vegetable Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Turkey & Bacon Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Can, Turkey & Bacon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Lamb & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sport Puppy High Protein Beef & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sport Puppy High Protein Beef & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Meals Lamb Pouch Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Meals Lamb Pouch Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful Steak & Green Beans in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Steak & Green Beans in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful Beef & Peas Loaf Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Beef & Peas Loaf Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful Chicken & Carrots Loaf Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Chicken & Carrots Loaf Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Entrée Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful Chicken & Peas in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Chicken & Peas in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Chicken in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Chicken in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful IncrediBites Small Breed Loaf with Real Salmon Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful IncrediBites Small Breed Loaf with Real Salmon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful IncrediBites Small Breed Loaf with Real Beef Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful IncrediBites Small Breed Loaf with Real Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Beef & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Beef & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelIams Proactive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Beef in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Beef in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Grain Free Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Grain Free Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Puppy Starter Chicken Entrée Ultra Soft Mousse Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Puppy Starter Chicken Entrée Ultra Soft Mousse Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Puppy Grain Free Chicken Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Puppy Grain Free Chicken Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Senior Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Senior Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sport Adult High Protein Beef & Bison Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sport Adult High Protein Beef & Bison Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Puppy - Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Puppy - Chicken & Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Meals Chicken Pouch Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Meals Chicken Pouch Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Small Breed Chicken Carrots Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Small Breed Chicken Carrots Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Raw and Rendered Animal By-Products as Ingredients in Dog Diets Journal of Animal Science, abstract hosted by University of Illinois, 1997 // Journal
  2. 2 Composition and protein fractions of different meat by-products used for petfood compared with mechanically separated chicken (MSC) Meat Science, abstract hosted by PubMed, 2000 // Journal
  3. 3 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  4. 4 Reading Labels AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  5. 5 Frequently Asked Questions AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  6. 6 Byproducts AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  7. 7 Dog and Cat Foods Merck Veterinary Manual, n.d. // Book
  8. 8 Cutaneous Food Allergy in Animals Merck Veterinary Manual, n.d. // Book
  9. 9 Beef Liver Discount Pet Treats, n.d. // Industry
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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