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Why By-Products in Dog Food Aren’t Always a Bad Thing (Commentary)

By-products, such as liver and other animal parts, in pet food get a bad rap that isn't always deserved.

Written by: Dr. Marty Becker (Veterinarian)

Last Updated on February 22, 2024 by Dogster Team

Chicken livers by Shutterstock.

Why By-Products in Dog Food Aren’t Always a Bad Thing (Commentary)

By-products: They’re what’s for dinner. At least if you’re a dog or cat, although my wife, Teresa, and I have been to some pretty fancy restaurants that served what many people would consider by-products. Thymus gland, anyone? (Better known as sweetbreads.)

Pet food ingredients and pet nutrition in general can be confusing for many, but by-products get a bad rap that’s not always deserved. Let’s chew on the subject to find out more about them.

Dr. Marty Becker
Dr. Marty Becker

First, what are the by-products that are used in pet food? They’re not feathers and beaks. By-products are the co-product of food ingredients, including portions of an animal that are less commonly used in the U.S. human food supply but can provide essential nutritional benefits. Some examples of by-products include clean animal parts like the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, spleen, corn gluten meal and tallow. Doesn’t sound that different from what you’d see African wild dogs eating on Nat Geo WILD.

I’ll be the first to say that some of those things don’t seem appetizing to the human palate. However, by-products are incredibly nutrient-dense and highly palatable to animals. In fact, cats and dogs in the wild instinctively eat these organs first because they include a wealth of nutrients such as protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. So it’s not a bad thing to feed by-products in your pet food so long as it is part of a complete and balanced diet.

I asked my colleague Dr. Tony Buffington, a veterinary nutritionist, if by-products have any benefits for pets. Here’s what he had to say.

“Properly produced by-products can provide a wide range of essential nutrients for pets and can be a safe and economical use of biological material.”

That’s a benefit to both humans and other animals, he notes.

Now, depending on the source and the processing, the nutrient content of by-products isn’t always reliable. Poor processing can allow by-products to become contaminated. Improper processing can also result in less availability of nutrients. That’s why it’s important to know the manufacturer’s reputation.

Pet owners can ensure their pet’s food is safe and healthy, whether it includes by-products or not, by checking to make sure manufacturers meet or exceed FDA and AAFCO standards. For example, go directly to a manufacturer’s website to learn more about what safety and quality standards a company employs, such as testing raw materials for impurities and nutrient content, or working with food scientists, veterinary professions, and nutritionists to develop products. Any meat and poultry by-products from farm animals should originate at facilities certified by the USDA or an equivalent authority.

“Avoiding all these potential problems is the responsibility of pet food manufacturers using by-products,” Dr. Buffington says. “Their success depends on the vigilance and integrity of the company.”

In general, pet owners should research the quality and safety standards of the company that makes their pet food. It’s important to know who makes your pet’s food, where it’s made, and what steps the manufacturer takes to ensure the quality and safety of the food. Here are a few tips on how to do exactly that:

  • Look beyond the ingredient list on the package and check the quality of the manufacturing as well as how stringent the quality standards are of the company making the food.
  • Go to your pet food manufacturer’s website. See if it owns the factories, if the food is made in the United States, and what steps it takes to ensure the pet foods meet or exceed FDA and AAFCO standards for safety and quality.
  • Call your pet food manufacturer and ask about its manufacturing process, the quality and safety standards, and the ingredients used in the foods. You should be able to learn why it uses any ingredient and the nutritional benefits.
  • Talk to your veterinarian. They should understand pet food nutrition and be able to provide recommendations on pet foods that are safe and healthy for your pets.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

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