Meat Meal in Pet Food

May 6th 2025

Let’s be honest — the words meat meal don’t exactly sound appetizing. They kind of make you think of mystery meat from the school cafeteria, right? But before you toss that bag of pet food back on the shelf, let’s clear up the confusion and get to the truth about meat meal in pet food — because it’s probably not what you think.

So, What Is Meat Meal, Really?

Despite its unappetizing name, meat meal is not a mystery. It’s actually a highly concentrated source of protein that’s made by rendering (cooking down) meat to remove water and fat. What’s left is a powder packed with protein — and your dog or cat loves it.

Think of it like this: meat meal is like the protein powder of the pet food world. It may not be pretty, but it gets the job done — and then some.

Is Meat Meal Bad? Not at All (If You Know What You're Getting)

The key to understanding meat meal is knowing what kind is in your pet’s food.

There’s a huge difference between:

Named meat meals, like chicken meal, lamb meal, or beef meal — which are specific and high quality.
Mystery meat meals, like meat meal or animal meal — which are vague and can be sketchy.

At Activa Custom Pet Food, we only use named meat and bone meals from known, trusted sources — never the mystery stuff. You get the protein punch without the question marks.

Why Meat Meal Is Actually Awesome for Pets

Here’s why quality meat meal deserves a spot in your pet’s bowl:

? It’s nutrient-dense
Because the moisture is removed, meat meal contains more protein per ounce than fresh meat.

? It’s shelf-stable
Great for dry kibble — it stays fresh longer without needing preservatives.

? It supports muscles, skin, and coat health
Protein is essential for building strong muscles and keeping that shiny, pettable coat in tip-top shape.

? It’s sustainable
Using more of the animal means less waste, making it better for the planet. Win-win!

But Wait — What About "By-Products"?

Good question! "By-product meal" is a whole different story — and not one we’re into.

By-products can include things like feathers, beaks, or other stuff your pet doesn’t need. That’s why Activa Custom Pet Food never uses poultry by-product meal or other low-quality fillers. Just real, identifiable meat and bone meals that support your pet's nutrition.

What to Look for on the Label

Next time you’re reading pet food labels, keep your eyes peeled for:

✅ Named meat meals (like turkey meal, pork meal, fish meal)
? Avoid vague terms (like animal meal, meat by-product meal, or just meat meal)
✅ First ingredients being meat-based
? Steer clear of foods where grains, starches, or fillers take the top spot

The Activa Custom Pet Food Difference

We don’t just sell pet food — we customize it. With our pet food customization machine, you can build a blend tailored specifically to your dog or cat’s needs. Choose your protein, your supplements, and your oils — so your pet gets exactly what they need and nothing they don’t.

Every blend we make includes high-quality meat meal that’s 100% traceable and packed with digestible protein. No by-products. No mystery meat. Just real nutrition your pet can thrive on.

TL;DR — The Truth in a Bowl

Meat meal is a super-concentrated protein source — not a dirty word.
Quality matters — look for named sources like chicken meal or beef meal.
Avoid vague, generic terms on ingredient lists.
At Activa Custom Pet Food, we use only clean, named meat meals — no junk, ever.
Your pet deserves better — and we make it easy to customize their food to match their unique needs.

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