You’ve probably seen it before: pet food labels proudly boasting “Real Chicken” or “Whole Chicken” as the first ingredient. It sounds great, right? After all, we want to feed our pets real, wholesome food. But what if I told you that what’s written on the label doesn’t always give you the full picture?
Let’s dig a little deeper and uncover what’s really going on behind those ingredient panels.
The Truth About "Real Chicken" in Pet Food
When ingredients in pet foods are listed, they’re ordered by weight. However, what a lot of pet owners don’t know is that these ingredients are weighed before they’re cooked. This is a pretty big deal when you consider that fresh chicken is roughly 70% water.
So, while “chicken” may look like the first and most important ingredient on the label, that’s only because it’s being weighed in its raw state. After cooking, the water is removed, and what’s left of the chicken weighs much less. In fact, it could end up being way down on the ingredient list after processing—certainly not the star of the show.
An Example – Let’s Break It Down
Here’s a look at the ingredient list from a popular grocery brand of dog food:
At first glance, you might think, "Great! Chicken is the first ingredient!" But hold up. Remember, that chicken is mostly water. After processing, the chicken’s actual contribution to the final product is much smaller. What does that mean? The real bulk of this food is coming from those next few ingredients: whole grain corn, barley, wheat, and chicken by-product meal.
In reality, the food your dog is eating may be more grain and by-products than actual “real chicken.”
So, What Should You Look For?
If you want a pet food that has a higher percentage of meat content, you’ll want to focus on foods that list meat meals (like "chicken meal" or "turkey meal") in the first few ingredients. Unlike fresh chicken, meat meals have already had the water and fat removed before being added to the food, meaning you’re getting a much more concentrated source of protein.
The Bottom Line
Pet food companies know that we want to feed our pets the best, and they’re not afraid to use tricky labeling practices to make their products look better than they actually are. By understanding how ingredients are weighed and listed, you can make more informed choices for your pet’s diet.
Next time you’re shopping for pet food, don’t just glance at the first ingredient—read the whole list and consider how those ingredients might stack up after cooking. Your pet deserves the real deal, not just the illusion of it.
Visit Us for Expert Nutrition Advice
If you’re looking for more guidance on choosing the best, most nutritious food for your furry friend, we’ve got you covered! Stop by Wiggles & Whiskers Pet Supplies in Unity, SK, or check out our online store for personalized nutrition advice and high-quality pet foods you can trust. We’re always here to help your pets live their happiest, healthiest lives.
Shannon H.
Chief Pet Expert, Wiggles & Whiskers Pet Supplies
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