Chicken Byproducts are Good for Dogs
Dog food is a hot topic. I’ve witnessed dog enthusiasts argue for hours about chicken byproducts, and I’m not exactly sure why. Dogs thrive on certain byproducts because they’re nutritionally packed with vitamins–much more so than muscle meat.
Don’t believe me? Check out this unbiased research on nutritional content because a bit of research will prove this disclaimer wrong. Don’t fall for the hype.
How This Myth Started
Pet owners spent $21.57 billion dollars just on dog food in 2013–that’s a lot of dough! So to further capitalize on this growing market, newer dog food companies had to differentiate themselves from other companies and hence the formation of the myth that chicken and beef byproducts are bad for dogs.
Boy, did this slogan spread like wildfire. It was like a hidden secret brought to light. Many pet owners began whispering and pointing fingers while turning up their noses to any dog product containing any type of byproducts. You can’t believe everything you’ve been told. Fact-check first.
What are Meat Byproducts in Dog Food?
It’s a challenge finding AAFOC’s official definition of meat byproducts, but you can certainly purchase their book for more details. Here’s the best official meat byproduct definition I could find.
Chicken Breast or Liver?
Chicken is, by far, the most popular protein ingredient in dog food followed closely by fish, lamb and beef. So which has more nutrition?
Chicken liver (1 oz raw) contains higher levels of vitamin A and vitamin C loaded with B12 and iron than chicken breast. Plus, it’s lower in fat, which is great for dogs watching their waistlines, which has become a huge American epidemic.
Boneless and skinless chicken breast (1 oz) contain no vitamin A or vitamin C and significantly less iron than chicken livers. Chicken breast contains higher protein content, B6, but is higher in calories. Higher protein values doesn’t mean superiority. It just means more protein.
Ground Beef or Beef Heart?
What about beef? Let’s dive in!
Beef heart (1 oz raw) is loaded with iron, vitamin B6, and additional vitamins and minerals. Plus it’s lower in calories and fat content, which works best for most dogs.
Ground beef (1 oz) has a tiny amount of calcium and a higher protein percentage than beef heart, but it’s not as nutrient dense as beef heart. And mercy, the fat and calorie count are ridiculous. There’s no way an average dog could eat mostly beef, especially if he is a couch potato.
Beef stomach (green trip) is extremely nutritious for dogs (and cats). You’ve probably heard of raw green tripe (not the bleached white tripe sold at supermarkets). This stuff smells beyond terrible, but it’s a rich source of protein for dogs. Plus, it has the perfect combination of omega-6 and omega-3s, ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (huge plus for large breed dogs), and beneficial bacteria. If you’re going to feed any type of protein byproducts, this is the one! Your dog will thank you for it!
RELATED: Homemade Diets for Dogs
Stay Away From Mystery Meat
Stay away from mystery meat. This stuff is a mix mash of unnamed protein sources, which remains a mystery unless DNA tested. We’ve all heard how certain protein sources creep into dog food. Well, this is probably how they cover it up. If mystery meat is listed as an ingredient in your dog’s food, put the bag down. One word: gross! Meat byproducts should be listed by animals, such as chicken byproducts or beef byproducts.
Byproduct Takeaway
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Everything must be in moderation. One protein source won’t provide all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs every day. Sure, you can feed your dog chicken breast and rice forever, but you must add lots of vitamins to meet their nutritional requirements.
Balance is key so adding protein byproducts will boost nutritional value while keeping calorie intake low. Also, just because you dislike liver, hearts and tripe doesn’t mean your dog does. Don’t believe me? Purchase raw chicken livers or, better yet, raw green tripe and watch your dog’s eyes light up. 🙂 You’ll certainly see a huge difference in your dog’s coat without all the added oil, which most dog food companies add to replace nutrients.
Lastly, Research Before Jumping on a Bandwagon
It’s so easy to fall for unverified claims, especially if an author or pet food company claims additional health benefits for your dog. I can’t say this enough, please fact-check and verify before believing. Dogs rely on us to feed them so please take the time and do it right. Check out SELFNutritionData to know what your dog is eating.
READ MORE: Healthy Dog Treats
