Wheat Germ Meal

Flour mills separate oily germ while making white flour because its oil shortens shelf life. The germ is ground with some bran and other fine wheat particles, producing a meal that feed makers use.^6,7,8

1. 01 // Source Wheat kernels Each kernel contains germ, bran and a starchy center that mills turn into white flour.
2. 02 // Process Break and separate Milling breaks the kernels and separates germ and bran from the flour-making portion.
3. 03 // Process Grind the germ The separated germ is ground with some bran and other fine particles from the mill.
4. 04 // Output Wheat germ meal The resulting meal retains its oil; removing some oil produces a separately named defatted meal.

1. 01

   Adds plant protein

   Germ protein contributes to the recipe's crude protein total. How much it contributes to a particular kibble depends on the amount used, which the ingredient list does not disclose.^5,6

2. 02

   Provides usable energy

   A beagle comparison placed wheat germ meal among plant ingredients whose energy dogs digested well. It measured feeding value, not a separate health benefit.¹

3. 03

   Uses a milling stream

   Flour mills separate germ while making white flour. Selling it for feed puts that stream to use and gives formulators another ingredient option.^7,8,9

How much A brand-funded dog study included wheat germ meal at 1 to 1.5% of the recipe but did not test its effects separately.²

1. Brands say

   Wheat germ meal adds protein without meat

   Evidence

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

   Separated germ averaged 29.5% protein on a dry matter basis. The named meal also contains other wheat particles, but its protein still raises the crude protein total without adding meat. A bag does not reveal its share of that total.^5,6

2. Brands say

   Dogs digest wheat germ meal well

   Evidence

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

   In a brand-authored beagle comparison of 21 plant materials, wheat germ meal fell among the well-digested samples. The published abstract groups the energy digestibility results, so it gives no separate value for germ meal.¹

3. Owners say

   Wheat germ meal is unsafe for wheat-allergic dogs

   Evidence

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

   A review counted wheat among triggers in 38 of 297 dogs with documented food reactions. It did not test germ meal separately, but a dog with a diagnosed wheat reaction should avoid this wheat ingredient.^3,6

4. Brands say

   Its vitamin E improves skin and coat

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   A milling study measured 195.2 micrograms of alpha-tocopherol per gram in separated germ. It tested neither finished germ meal nor dogs, so a skin or coat benefit from meal in kibble remains unshown.⁴

5. Critics say

   Wheat germ meal is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   Separated germ contains protein and fat, and a beagle comparison placed germ meal's energy among the well-digested plant materials it tested. Calling the ingredient filler overlooks those contributions.^1,5,6