Veterinary Nutrition Myth #3: False- animal byproducts=poor quality food

Myth 3: Avoid Animal Byproducts, it means poor quality food.

•         The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that oversees pet food ingredients defines a meat by-product as “the non-rendered clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals.”
•          By-products in pet food are animal organs, such as liver, lungs, bone that the animal would likely ingest in its wild state and are higher in essential nutrients and palatable.
•         Hooves, horns, teeth, hair, feces, and roadkill do NOT constitute “meat by-product.” These elements are not included in high quality pet food.
•          If you are against animal by-products, than you should probably avoid Fido’s favorite raw hide, pig ears or bully stick, as these items are by definition by-products.
•         Inclusion of these animal materials also reduces waste by allowing the entire animal to be used for the nutrition of humans and pets.