There are several cat food choices out there. Your local pet food emporium likely carries over 100 different brands. From kibble to fresh options, you may be sifting through countless pet food labels, trying to ferret out the best choice for your pup.

Of course, being a pet owner, you want superb-quality nutrition for your pet's overall health and well-being. However, many commercial pet foods have a laundry list of unfamiliar ingredients, including chicken meals.

Chicken or other meat meals appear so frequently in pet food that you might wonder where chicken meals come from. What parts of the chicken comprise a chicken meal, what are the benefits of including it in your cat's diet, and is it good for your pet?

Great questions.

To answer, let's start by defining what a chicken meal is.

What is chicken meal?

Chicken meal is a concentrated protein source found in many foods. Melted chicken meat is high in protein and full of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals vital for your cat's healthier lifestyle.

Process of Making Chicken Meal

Chicken meal is a dry, rendered product derived from the flesh and skin, with or without accompanying bone, of chicken parts or whole carcasses. It is made by a rendering process in which pet food manufacturers cook raw chicken parts to remove water and fat. Source - AAFCO

Advantages and Benefits of Chicken Meal in Cat Food

Want to know if adding a chicken meal to the diet of your beloved cat gives any benefits? Here's a closer look.

High in Protein

Consists of a highly concentrated source of protein with the same nutrition and the same weight as chicken meat.Contributes to the muscle development and overall growth of a cat. It also helps in joint maintenance since it is an excellent source of glucosamine. Moreover, it retains essential vitamins and minerals, such as B6 and B12 vitamins, as well as minerals like zinc and iron.

Cost-Effectiveness

This combination of chicken flesh is cheaper than a whole chicken, reducing the cost of production and making it a better alternative for many cat food brands. It is also more accessible to a wide range of consumers while still maintaining a protein-rich formulation.

Longevity

Chicken meal is rendered as a dry powder, so it is easier to keep and can be easily incorporated into dry cat food. This makes it a more reliable ingredient for cats, as it has a long shelf life and doesn't spoil as quickly as fresh meat.

Quality and Safety Measures

Chicken meal used in renowned cat food brands undergoes strict quality control measures to ensure safety, nutritional integrity, and value. By choosing cat food that includes a chicken meal, you can be confident in the safety and quality of the ingredients.

Which is better—chicken meal or fresh chicken?

Chicken meal is a dried product rich in proteins and nutrients. On the other hand, fresh chicken is mostly water; protein content is lost as moisture during cooking. It is richer in proteins and fats than fresh chicken, essential for your cat's healthier diet. Also, during the cooking process, chicken meal breaks down proteins into more digestible forms, making it easier for cats to absorb the nutrition. Fresh chicken is also a good source of protein, but it may not be easily digestible until properly cooked.

Is Chicken Meal Safe and Likeable by Cats?

Yes, cats generally like chicken meal because of its meaty taste. Cats are natural carnivores and typically enjoy meat-based flavors. Also, it is generally considered safe to fulfill your cat's overall nutrition, but do ensure that the food formula of chicken meal meets the overall requirements of cat health.

Conclusion

Chicken meals in cat food are considered important because they provide a concentrated source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and other vital nutrients necessary for your cat's overall health and growth. Therefore, opting for a cat meal in a cat diet is a good investment in your pet's well-being. Always remember a balanced and high-quality protein diet is one of the most important aspects of pet care, which lays the foundation of a long, happy, and active lifestyle for your cat.

Fulfill Your Cat's Nutritional Needs With Tree Pet Store—Where Pets Are Family

If you want to feed your cat a chicken meal, as it provides your pet with the protein they need to build muscle and carry out other essential functions, and you're looking for the pet store that steps up your pet's nutrition game and serves quality ingredients, 'Tree Pet Store' is the best option, which will cater to all the necessary needs of your cat, offering a wide range of cat and dog food. Gently dehydrated pet food, wet food, dry food, treats, and toppers, maintaining high quality and essential nutrients your pet needs to thrive.