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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Spray Dried Porcine Plasma

Digestible pig protein, with unproven health claims

This powder comes from the liquid portion of pig blood, separated from the cells and dried. It adds digestible animal protein to kibble. Dog studies have measured changes in digestion and gut immune markers, but have not shown that porcine plasma prevents illness.

What it is
The protein-rich liquid portion of pig blood, separated from blood cells and spray dried into powder.
Made from
Plasma separated from pig blood
Main job
Concentrated animal protein
Typical amount
Usually 1 to 3% of the food
Watch for
Pork allergy or a prescribed sodium limit
Not the same as
Whole blood meal

Straight answer

Is Spray Dried Porcine Plasma safe for dogs?

Read the main proteins before the plasma

Ingredients above porcine plasma carry more of the recipe's weight. This powder adds digestible animal protein, but its small amount and the current dog studies do not make it a gut treatment or joint treatment. Skip it for a dog with a diagnosed pork allergy. Otherwise, judge the complete food.

Why it is in the food
Concentrated animal protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 111 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

<1%

29 of the 3,205 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 2 brands. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 10. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

0%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 100% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.93
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 17 priced foods, 21% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

83%

of the foods that list it are from Nature's Logic. 2 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Slaughterhouses collect blood as pigs are processed for meat. Plasma producers separate the liquid from the blood cells, concentrate it, and dry it into a powder for shipping and storage.6

  1. 01 // Source Collected pig blood Blood from inspected slaughterhouses is collected with an anticoagulant so it does not clot.
  2. 02 // Process Cells separated A centrifuge separates liquid plasma from red blood cells, which go to other products.
  3. 03 // Process Plasma concentrated Membrane filtration or vacuum evaporation removes some water before the liquid enters the dryer.
  4. 04 // Output Spray dried plasma Fine droplets dry rapidly in heated air, leaving a powder for feed and pet food plants.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

875

g/kg protein

Protein measured in one plasma batch per kilogram of dry material. It is concentrated protein, although a dog food usually contains only a little.

Protein 875 g/kg4
Ash 78 g/kg4
Total fat 5 g/kg4

These rows describe one batch, not a supplier specification. Another porcine plasma sample had substantially more ash, measured as sold. The studies do not provide a comparable dry matter range across batches.4,5

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds digestible protein

    Separating and drying plasma concentrates its proteins. A small dog trial estimated high digestibility for the ingredient, though its addition does not determine the protein quality of the whole food.1,4

  2. 02

    Supplies plasma proteins

    Plasma carries antibodies alongside other proteins. Manufacturers use that fact to sell gut health benefits, but the porcine dog trial measured immune markers rather than fewer infections or diarrhea episodes.2,6

  3. 03

    Uses collected slaughter blood

    Commercial plants separate and dry a blood fraction that would otherwise need prompt handling. The resulting powder gives manufacturers a shelf-stable animal protein from an existing meat industry stream.6

  4. 04

    Offers a coating option

    A dog trial tested plasma applied to finished kibble as well as plasma mixed into kibble before extrusion. Both routes let manufacturers add it without making it a main protein source.2

How much Researchers describe 1 to 3% as the commercial range; porcine dog trials have also tested diets containing 4 to 12%.1,2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    It provides easily digested animal protein

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    An 8-Beagle trial estimated 91.2% crude protein digestibility for porcine plasma. A separate 12-Beagle trial found no improvement in whole-diet nutrient digestibility. It is useful protein, but a small addition does not guarantee a better food.1,2

  2. Brands say

    Its antibodies protect a dog's gut

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 12-Beagle crossover study, the diet with 8% porcine plasma raised fecal IgA, a gut immune marker. The study did not test infection or diarrhea prevention, so protection from illness remains unproven.2

  3. Brands say

    It helps arthritic dogs move better

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 42-day trial in 24 dogs found lower lameness scores with added animal plasma. The paper does not identify the plasma species. That single, supplier-linked trial cannot show a joint benefit from this porcine ingredient.3

  4. Brands say

    It makes kibble taste better

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 20-dog choice test, intake favored the diet containing no porcine plasma over the diet containing 4%, by 0.57 to 0.43. The separate 2025 study tested a coating method, but did not show a taste advantage.1,2

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies concentrated animal protein with measured digestibility in dogs. Its usual low place on a label reflects the small amount used. Judge the food's main protein sources separately.1,4,8

  2. Q02

    Is it blood meal?

    No

    Plasma is separated from blood cells before drying. Whole blood meal includes the cell portion, so the names describe different ingredients. Porcine tells you this plasma came from pigs.6

  3. Q03

    How much is in the bag?

    Usually little

    Researchers describe 1 to 3% as the commercial range. The ingredient list gives order by weight, not percentages, so its position cannot tell you the exact amount in your bag.1,8

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Nature's Logic 24 / 32
  2. Nulo 5 / 117

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Mixed Tocopherols 100%
  2. Yeast Culture 83%
  3. Millet 72%
  4. Montmorillonite Clay 69%
  5. Pumpkin Seed Flour 62%
  6. Chicken Fat 59%
  7. Dehydrated Kale 34%
  8. Dried Kelp 34%
  9. Pork Fat 31%
  10. Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate 31%
  11. Chicken Meal 28%
  12. Spray Dried Chicken Liver 28%

On the shelf

Foods that list Spray Dried Porcine Plasma

29 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Nature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Turkey Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Turkey Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Land & Sea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Land & Sea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Fowl Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Fowl Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Puppy Chicken & Whitefish Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Puppy Chicken & Whitefish Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Chicken & Whitefish Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Chicken & Whitefish Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the label
Show 23 more
Nature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Pork Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Pork Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Lamb Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Lamb Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Rabbit Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Rabbit Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Venison Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Venison Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Logic Pure Naturals Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Pure Naturals Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Canine Grain Free Dry Kibble: Beef Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Canine Grain Free Dry Kibble: Beef Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Red Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Red Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Turkey & Herring Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Turkey & Herring Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Small Breed Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Small Breed Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 18 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Spray-dried porcine plasma in dog foods: implications on digestibility, palatability and haematology Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 2019 // Journal
  2. 2 Effects of spray-dried plasma on nutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites, microbiota, and immune and inflammatory biomarkers in adult dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  3. 3 Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on inflammatory indicators, antioxidant capacity, and joint health in senior dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2026 // Journal
  4. 4 Microbial and molecular signatures for enhanced gut health in pigs fed a diet with spray-dried plasma as functional protein source Frontiers in Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  5. 5 Comparative Analysis of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma and Hydrolyzed Porcine Protein as Animal-Blood-Derived Protein Ingredients for Pet Nutrition Molecules, 2023 // Journal
  6. 6 Biosafety steps in the manufacturing process of spray-dried plasma: a review with emphasis on the use of ultraviolet irradiation as a redundant biosafety procedure Porcine Health Management, 2020 // Journal
  7. 7 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats BMC Veterinary Research, 2016 // Journal
  8. 8 Reading Labels AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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