Meat by-products
rendered proteinalso called: meat and bone meal, animal by-products
What it is
Under AAFCO definitions, the non-rendered clean parts of slaughtered animals other than prime muscle meat, such as organ tissue. It excludes hair, horn, hooves and hide.
Why it gets discussed
Among the most polarising terms on a cat food label. The nutritional substance of organ meat and the industrial sound of the word point in opposite directions, which is precisely why the term carries more reputational weight than analytical weight.
Where it sits on the label
Position varies widely. Unspecified versions are more common in mainstream formulas; named versions such as 'chicken by-product meal' are more specific.
Foods in our database that list meat by-products
- Grilled Chicken Feast in Gravy by Fancy Feast
- Gravy Lovers Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast Pate in Gravy by Fancy Feast
- Seafood Sensations (Salmon, Tuna & Shrimp Flavors) by Friskies
- Tender & Crunchy Combo (Chicken, Beef, Carrots & Green Beans Flavors) by Friskies
- Land & Sea Adventures (Chicken & Ocean Fish Flavors) by Friskies
- Gravy Swirlers (Chicken, Salmon & Gravy Flavors) by Friskies
- Pate Salmon Dinner by Friskies
- Extra Gravy Pate With Tuna in Savory Gravy by Friskies
- Meaty Bits With Ocean Fish in Sauce by Friskies
Foods in our database that do not list it
- Fresh Ground Bird / Smooth Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Pulled Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Ground Other Bird / Smooth Other Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Pulled Other Bird by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Fish by Smalls
- Fresh Ground Cow / Smooth Cow by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Pig by Smalls
- Fresh Smooth Bird & Fish Dish by Smalls
- Wilderness Chicken Recipe (Adult Dry) by Blue Buffalo
- Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Flaked Trout Feast by Blue Buffalo
"Do not list" means the ingredient does not appear on the label text we transcribed for that product. It is not a certification, and recipes change - always confirm on the current packaging.