What Is Meal in Dog Food, and Is It Bad?

Chicken meal, meat meal, fish meal… sounds sketchy, right? This post explains what “meal” really is, when it’s good, and when it’s a red flag hiding in plain sight.

Cue the internal monologue: Uhhh, what exactly is that? And should I be worried?

Spoiler: not always.

Some meals are protein-packed powerhouses.

Others are shady mystery meat in disguise.

Let’s break it down: what “meal” really means in dog food, why it’s used, and how to tell the good stuff from the garbage.

First Things First: What Is “Meal”?

In dog food world, “meal” refers to a protein that’s been rendered—which means cooked down to remove moisture and fat—then ground into a fine powder.

It’s not some weird science lab concoction. It’s just concentrated animal protein.

Think of it like this: if fresh chicken is a juicy drumstick, chicken meal is that drumstick cooked, dehydrated, and powdered.

Why use it?

High protein content (more than fresh meat, pound for pound)
Longer shelf life
Easier to store and use in dry kibble

When “Meal” Is Actually a Good Thing

Yep. I said it.

Meal can be a GOOD thing—if it’s named and specific.

Good examples:

Chicken meal
Turkey meal
Lamb meal
Salmon meal

These are clearly identified sources of protein. They’re often high quality and highly digestible for dogs.

Bonus points if the food contains both fresh meat and named meal. That means your pup gets fresh flavor and concentrated protein in one bowl.

The Red Flag Meals to Avoid

Here’s where things get sketchy.

Bad examples:

Meat meal
Animal meal
Poultry meal
Fish meal (if it doesn’t say what kind of fish)

These vague terms are red flags. Why? Because they don’t tell you what kind of animal the protein came from—or what part.

Could be beef. Could be beaver. Could be roadkill.

Seriously.

In the pet food industry, mystery meat can legally include meat from dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals (aka 4D meat). Gross.

If a brand won’t tell you what animal they’re using, don’t trust what else they’re putting in your dog’s bowl.

Meal vs. Fresh Meat: Which Is Better?

Trick question: you want both.

Fresh meat is great for flavor and natural moisture.
Meal is great for protein density.

The problem isn’t the meal—it’s the quality and transparency.

A food with chicken and chicken meal? Amazing.

A food with “meat” and “meat meal”? Put it back on the shelf.

BorkBites Quick Label Decoder:

Ingredient	Verdict
Chicken meal	Thumbs up
Turkey meal	Good stuff
Meat meal	Nope
Animal by-product meal	Double nope
Salmon meal	Yes, if it’s species-specific
Fish meal	Only if it *names* the fish

So… Is “Meal” in Dog Food Bad?

Not automatically.

It all comes down to what kind of meal it is.

The rule:

If it names the animal, it’s usually a green light. If it’s vague or sounds like a secret, it’s probably a red flag.

Transparency is everything. If a brand is proud of its ingredients, it’ll say so. If it’s hiding behind vague words? Your dog deserves better.

Check Your Bag: What’s in Your Dog’s Bowl?

Flip that bag over and scan the label.

Do you see chicken meal or meat meal? Is it specific, or suspiciously vague?

Let me know in the comments—or DM me a pic of your ingredient list. I’ll happily sniff it out.

BorkBites