Animal By-Product Meal in Pet Food

Grade F-5 ptsProteins

What It Is

"Rendered product from mammal tissues, not containing added blood, hair, hoof, hide trimmings, manure, or stomach contents."

Health Impact

"Animal" with no species specified means the source is completely unknown. Under AAFCO rules, this can legally include 4D animals — Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled at time of slaughter. The FDA has confirmed that euthanized shelter animals and roadkill have been found in rendered "animal" meal. The FDA found pentobarbital in multiple dog food brands in 2018, which can only come from euthanized animals.

Why This Grade

Our most serious tier: a documented carcinogen finding, an outright ban in at least one country or species, or an unspecified source that can legally include 4D (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) animals. -5 pts deducted.

Sources & Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Animal By-Product Meal safe for dogs and cats?

Rated F (-5 pts) by PetPro-tectors™. "Animal" with no species specified means the source is completely unknown. Under AAFCO rules, this can legally include 4D animals — Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled at time of slaughter. The FDA has confirmed that euthanized shelter animals and roadkill have been found in rendered "animal" meal. The FDA found pentobarbital in multiple dog food brands in 2018, which can only come from euthanized animals.

What is Animal By-Product Meal in pet food?

Rendered product from mammal tissues, not containing added blood, hair, hoof, hide trimmings, manure, or stomach contents.

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Sources: FDA, AAFCO Official Publication, National Toxicology Program,
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, Journal of Animal Science.

PetPro-tection League™