Meat meal
Meat meal is a rendered product made from animal tissues, typically from meat by-products such as bones, cartilage, and connective tissues, but without blood, hair, hooves, or stomach contents. It is processed by cooking (rendering) to remove most of the moisture and fat, resulting in a concentrated protein powder.
What it is?
Meat meal is commonly used in dry dog foods as it provides a dense source of protein and essential minerals. The term “meat meal” is often accompanied by a specific protein source, like chicken meal, beef meal, or fish meal, indicating the type of meat used.
Why it's important?
It's different from whole meat because it's more concentrated and contains more protein by weight. However, it's important to check the label to ensure the specific type of meat meal is listed, like "chicken meal," rather than generic terms like "meat meal," which could be from unspecified sources.
Additional info?
Some brands of meat meal have been exposed to chemicals such as bleach during processing, which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
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