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Ingredient file // Flavor

Natural Chicken And Turkey Flavors

A taste ingredient with little else disclosed

This is flavoring derived from chicken and turkey, potentially made as an extract or hydrolysate. It makes kibble smell and taste more appealing to dogs. The name does not tell you its recipe, amount, or nutritional contribution.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
Poultry-derived flavoring added to give dog food a chicken and turkey taste or aroma.
Made from
Chicken and turkey sources
Main job
Improve kibble's appeal
Typical amount
Unpublished for this blend; a comparable flavor was tested at 2%
Watch for
Diagnosed chicken or turkey allergy
Not the same as
Chicken and turkey meat

Straight answer

Is Natural Chicken And Turkey Flavors safe for dogs?

Read it as flavor, then check the food

Its place on the ingredient list shows relative weight, not an exact amount. Look to the main protein ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and nutritional adequacy statement to judge the food. The flavor's name does not tell you how much poultry protein it adds. Avoid it if your dog must avoid chicken or turkey.

Why it is in the food
Improve kibble's appeal

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 139 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

<1%

23 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 1 brand. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 9. 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 $2.92
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 22 priced foods, 10% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

100%

of the foods that list it are from NutriSource. 1 brand use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Poultry processing supplies tissues that flavor makers use to create savory ingredients for pet food. Hydrolysis and heating are common routes, but the maker has not disclosed how this chicken and turkey blend is produced.4,9

  1. 01 // Source Poultry materials Chicken and turkey supply the named flavor; poultry organs and other tissues are used in comparable flavorings.
  2. 02 // Process Flavor developed In a common process, enzymes or heat break down tissues and develop savory compounds.
  3. 03 // Process Liquid or powder Comparable poultry palatants are prepared in liquid or dry form for use in pet food.
  4. 04 // Output Poultry flavoring The finished flavoring is ready for mixing or coating; this named blend's form is undisclosed.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

56-61

% protein

Protein in 2 laboratory chicken liver hydrolysates. These are comparable materials, not an analysis of the chicken and turkey blend on this label.

Crude protein 55.9-61.3%3
Ash 10.8-12.4%3
Crude fat 5.2-5.3%3

These figures describe fermented and enzyme-treated chicken liver, with no turkey. Processing changed their protein and ash content. The named blend's ingredients and analysis are unpublished, so these figures are not its specification.3

Why it is in the bag

There to make dry food smell and taste better

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

Manufacturers add it so dogs eat dry food readily. Dogs appear to prefer moist food over dry, and poultry palatants are partly hydrolyzed animal tissues applied as liquid or powder. Federal rules define a natural flavor by a flavoring function, not a nutritional one. Its amount is unpublished, so its protein contribution is unknown. A supplier tested a comparable poultry coating at 2% of kibble, which suggests a minor share next to the main protein ingredients.4,5,9

  1. 01

    Adds surface aroma

    Kibble makers often apply palatants after extrusion. A coating puts aroma where the dog encounters it before chewing.4

  2. 02

    Uses poultry materials

    Flavor makers use poultry tissues, including organs, to produce savory concentrates. That gives materials from poultry processing another use, although this blend's inputs are undisclosed.4

  3. 03

    Adjusts taste separately

    A manufacturer can change a coating without replacing the kibble's main protein ingredients. A supplier tested chicken liver hydrolysate as a separate coating at 2%.4,5

How much This blend's amount is unpublished; a supplier tested a different poultry flavoring at 2% of kibble.5

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

    Poultry flavor makes dogs prefer the kibble

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A supplier reported 85% first choice for kibble coated with 2% chicken liver hydrolysate. In a separate 22-dog trial, a diet using hydrolysate as its main animal protein earned no clear preference. Neither tested this blend.1,5

  2. Brands say

    Hydrolyzed poultry flavor improves gut health

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A 10-dog trial found changes in some fecal markers when chicken hydrolysates replaced major protein ingredients. The label does not say this blend is hydrolyzed, and the trial did not test a flavor-sized dose or a health benefit.2,9

  3. Owners say

    Natural flavor is safer for dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    AAFCO's guidance says natural describes sourcing and processing, with no promise of greater safety. The federal flavoring rule, 21 CFR 501.22, describes what qualifies as a natural flavor; it does not rank flavors by safety.6,9

  4. Owners say

    Chicken and turkey flavors provide meaningful meat protein

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    Federal rules identify flavoring as a natural flavor's main function. A supplier's 2% coating test shows how a poultry hydrolysate may be used, but this blend's amount and protein content are unpublished. Its name cannot measure the food's meat protein.5,9

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It has a defined job: improving kibble's smell and taste. Judge the food's nutrition from its main ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and nutritional adequacy statement, not from the presence of flavoring.4,7

  2. Q02

    Does it count as chicken meat?

    No

    A natural poultry flavor may be an extract or hydrolysate. The phrase identifies a flavor source, not a measurable portion of chicken or turkey meat in the finished food.7,9

  3. Q03

    Is it safe with chicken allergy?

    Avoid it

    Treat the named flavor as chicken and turkey exposure during an elimination trial. Its processing and protein size are undisclosed, and an ordinary flavoring does not have the controls used for veterinary hydrolyzed diets.8

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. NutriSource 23 / 91

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

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken Fat 78%
  2. Tocopherols 78%
  3. Citric Acid 78%
  4. Chicken 78%
  5. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 74%
  6. Natural Turkey Flavor 74%
  7. Pea Starch 70%
  8. Peas 65%
  9. Flax Seed 65%
  10. Chicken Meal 52%
  11. Barley 48%
  12. Dried Yeast 39%

On the shelf

Foods that list Natural Chicken And Turkey Flavors

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

NutriSource Grain-Free Weight Management Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Weight Management Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelNutriSource Weight Management Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Weight Management Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelNutriSource Choice Performance Chicken Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Performance Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNutriSource Choice Turkey Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Turkey Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Upland Stream Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the label
Show 17 more
NutriSource Large Breed Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small and Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small and Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Small Bites Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Small Bites Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNutriSource Choice Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNutriSource Choice Beef Meal & Barley Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Beef Meal & Barley Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNutriSource Chicken Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Chicken Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNutriSource Choice Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNutriSource Choice Large Breed Beef Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Choice Large Breed Beef Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the label

Leaving it out

Foods without chicken

For owners who skip chicken: popular dry foods priced like the ones that list it ($2.10 to $4.20 per lb), with no chicken on the label.

Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // $2.37 per lbPurina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Small Breed Formula Dry Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Small Breed Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.41 per lbOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // $4.05 per lbNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.04 per lbFromm Four-Star Beef Frittata Veg® Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Beef Frittata Veg® Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.68 per lbZignature Original Lamb Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Lamb Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.32 per lbNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.04 per lbZignature Original Puppy Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Puppy Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // $3.00 per lb

Checked against the ingredient list we store for each food. Labels change, so read the bag before you buy.

Sources

What we read

Checked September 30, 2026.

  1. 1 Characterisation of spray dried hydrolysed chicken liver powder: effects on palatability and digestibility when included as single source of animal protein in dog diets Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2021 // Journal
  2. 2 The effects of hydrolyzed protein on macronutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites and microbiota, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and skin and coat quality in adult dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2024 // Journal
  3. 3 In-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties of fermentatively and enzymatically prepared chicken liver protein hydrolysates Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2015 // Journal
  4. 4 Insights to Study, Understand and Manage Extruded Dry Pet Food Palatability Animals, 2024 // Journal
  5. 5 Nutrient density of hydrolyzed chicken liver powders Proliver, 2021 // Industry
  6. 6 Natural AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  7. 7 Reading Labels AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  8. 8 Hydrolyzed Diets North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, n.d. // University
  9. 9 21 CFR 501.22: Animal foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings, and chemical preservatives Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 2026 // Government
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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