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Meet the Meat (ingredients): Fresh Meat, Dehydrated Meat and Meat Meals

7 min read

The type of meat ingredients used in dry cat food significantly influences its nutritional quality and the resulting scoring according to established evaluation criteria.
Here is an in-depth analysis of the various forms of meat—fresh, dehydrated, and meals—detailing their impact on the scoring system and offering specific brand examples to illustrate key points.

Fresh Meat Ingredients #

What Are Fresh Meats in Cat Food?
Fresh meats on cat food labels are typically listed as “chicken,” “beef,” “turkey,” or other specific animal sources without additional qualifiers.
These meats are considered fresh because they undergo minimal processing before being added to the food.

Why Are Fresh Meats Valued in Cat Food?
Fresh meats are highly valued for their high water content, natural flavor, and quality protein.
They provide essential amino acids in natural ratios, which are crucial for a cat’s health.
Additionally, fresh meats offer high bioavailability, meaning their nutrients are easily absorbed and utilized by a cat’s body.

What Should I Consider When Choosing Cat Food with Fresh Meat?
While fresh meats are excellent protein sources, their high water content (typically 70-80%) can be misleading on ingredient lists.
During manufacturing, the water is removed, reducing the weight of the fresh meat and potentially moving it lower on the ingredient list than it originally appeared.

How Do Fresh Meats Affect Cat Food Quality Scores?
Listing fresh whole poultry or fish as the primary ingredient can significantly boost a food’s score. The scoring system awards:

  • +2 points for these ingredients in the first place
  • +1 point when they appear in the second or third position

Examples of Fresh Meats in Cat Food:

  • Fresh Chicken: “Brand A’s Fresh Chicken Formula for Cats” lists fresh chicken as its first ingredient, which contributes to a high rating due to its digestibility and nutrient density. Fresh chicken helps maintain natural flavors and essential nutrients.
  • Fresh Salmon: “Brand E’s Salmon Feast Cat Food” prominently features fresh salmon. This ingredient not only provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids but also enhances the food’s nutritional value and palatability for cats.
  • Fresh Turkey: “Brand F’s Turkey Delight Cat Kibble” uses fresh turkey as the top ingredient. Fresh turkey offers lean protein that supports muscle maintenance and overall health, benefiting scoring systems that prioritize high-quality animal proteins.

Dehydrated Meat Ingredients #

What Are Dehydrated Meat Ingredients in Dry Cat Food?
Dehydrated meats are made by removing moisture from fresh meat at a low temperature, preserving most of the meat’s nutritional properties.
Examples include “dehydrated chicken” or “dehydrated salmon.”

Why Are Dehydrated Meats Good for Cats?
Dehydrated meats are high-quality protein sources, retaining most amino acids and nutrients found in fresh meat.
The dehydration process concentrates the protein content, making it an efficient protein source in dry cat foods. They are less processed than meat meals and often contain fewer preservatives.

Do Dehydrated Meats Improve Dry Cat Food Quality Scores?
Yes, dehydrated meats score highly due to their concentrated nutritional value. They receive:

  • +4 points for being the first ingredient
  • +3 points for the second position
  • +2 points for positions 3rd to 4th

Examples of Dehydrated Meat in Dry Cat Food:

  • Dehydrated Chicken: Provides a concentrated protein source. For example, “Brand B’s Dehydrated Chicken Meal” uses dehydrated chicken as the primary ingredient, scoring high for its nutritional density.
  • Dehydrated Duck: Offers essential nutrients while managing food sensitivities. “Brand G’s Duck Recipe for Cats” features dehydrated duck as a novel protein source.
  • Dehydrated Fish: Rich in protein and essential fatty acids, promoting skin and coat health. “Brand H’s Ocean Fish Mix” includes dehydrated fish among its top ingredients.

Meat Meals #

What Are Meat Meals in Cat Food?
Meat meals, like “chicken meal” or “fish meal,” are rendered products made from animal tissues. The rendering process involves cooking the material to remove moisture and fat, resulting in a concentrated protein powder.

Is Meat Meal a Good Source of Protein for Cats?
Yes, meat meals are richer in protein per unit weight than fresh meats because the moisture is removed. This makes them a potent and concentrated protein source, which can be beneficial in dry cat foods.

What Should I Consider When Choosing Cat Food with Meat Meal?
The quality of meat meals can vary greatly depending on the source of the ingredients and the rendering process.
High-quality meat meals specify the source (e.g., “chicken meal” instead of generic “meat meal”) and are controlled for quality.
However, they can be less digestible than fresh or dehydrated meats because high-temperature processing can denature some proteins, making them harder for cats to utilize.

How Does Meat Meal Affect Cat Food Quality Scores?
Cat foods using meat meals as the primary protein source generally receive lower scores.
The use of main meat by-product ingredients leads to significant point deductions in quality evaluation systems.

Examples of Meat Meals in Cat Food:

  • Chicken Meal: For instance, “Brand C’s Chicken Meal Formula” uses chicken meal as its main protein source. While it provides a significant amount of protein and is less expensive, it scores lower due to the heavy processing involved.
  • Fish Meal: “Brand I’s Deep Sea Fish Meal Cat Food” includes fish meal, which is rich in protein and omega-3s. However, the meal form indicates more processing and potentially lower freshness, leading to a negative impact on its score compared to fresher options.
  • Lamb Meal: “Brand J’s Lamb Meal Mix for Senior Cats” uses lamb meal to provide sustained energy for older cats. Though lamb meal is packed with protein, it may contain less desirable animal parts, resulting in a lower score in systems that favor whole, fresh meats.

Are there any specific health conditions in cats that benefit more from fresh, dehydrated, or meat meals?

Cats with specific dietary needs, such as those with sensitivities or allergies, may benefit more from fresh or dehydrated meats due to their higher quality and natural nutrient content.
Meat meals can be suitable for cats requiring a concentrated protein source, but the processing may reduce digestibility for some cats, making them less ideal for those with digestive sensitivities.

How can I identify high-quality meat meals in cat food ingredient lists?

High-quality meat meals will specify the source, such as “chicken meal” or “salmon meal,” rather than using generic terms like “meat meal” or “animal meal.” Additionally, the ingredient should be listed as one of the first few ingredients, indicating a higher proportion in the food.
Avoid products that list “by-products” or “animal digest” as primary ingredients, as these can be lower in quality.

Do fresh meats or meat meals impact the shelf life of dry cat food differently?

Yes, meat meals generally have a longer shelf life than fresh meats due to their lower moisture content and processing methods.
While fresh meats offer higher bioavailability and natural nutrients, they may require more careful storage to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Dehydrated meats also offer a balanced shelf life and preserved nutritional value.

How does the protein concentration of dehydrated meat compare to fresh meat in dry cat food?

Dehydrated meats have a higher protein concentration compared to fresh meats because the dehydration process removes most of the water content, leaving behind a more concentrated protein source.
Fresh meats contain more water, so while they are naturally rich in nutrients, their protein percentage is lower by weight when compared to dehydrated meat.

How do fresh, dehydrated, and meat meals compare in terms of cost in dry cat food?

Due to their high quality and natural state, fresh meats are generally more expensive, while dehydrated meats offer a concentrated protein source at a moderate cost.
Meat meals are typically the most cost-effective option, but this affordability can sometimes come at the expense of quality and digestibility.

Updated on September 16, 2024
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How the score is calculated?

The actual calculation of the score is based on sophisticated and advanced algorithm that takes into account multiple parameters.

To simplify the explanation, the calculation is based on three main criteria:

(1) Amount of protein (more is better)

(2) Amount of carbohydrates (less is better)

(3) Quality and source of ingredients.

Based on that 3 main criteria, 9 score calculation rules are used to compare the different foods.

One major assumption is that the closer an ingredient is to the top of the ingredient list, the greater its relative weight and contribution to the food.

In general, cat food is composed of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

Protein is the most important component in a cat’s diet, and cats primarily get their protein from animal meat.

Fat is a primary source of energy and essential fatty acids.

Carbohydrates are controversial in a cat’s diet, as cats are obligate carnivores and typically consume very few carbohydrates.

Fibers play an important role in digestion and food absorption, and vitamins and minerals are essential for different organism functions.

Dry matter values are used to compare the amount of nutrients in different cat foods.
This means that moisture is excluded from the equation to provide a more accurate comparison.

Putting all of these and more into a formula results in a product score.

The maximum score a cat food can receive is 100.
Points are added or removed based on the score calculation rules.