Non-meat proteins are plant-based proteins that are used in cat food as a cheap way to supplement the amount of protein in the food. Some examples of non-meat proteins include gluten, soy, and other plant proteins. While these ingredients can provide some protein, their quality is generally lower than that of animal protein due to a lack of some essential amino acids and lower digestibility. The contribution of non-meat proteins to the total amount of protein in the food depends on their relative locations in the ingredient list.
