Turkey Meal

Turkey processing leaves flesh and skin outside the fresh meat market. Rendering cooks these parts, separates much of their water and fat, and turns the remaining solids into a dry ingredient for pet food.⁷

1. 01 // Source Turkey parts Flesh and skin, sometimes with attached bone, come from turkey processing.
2. 02 // Process Cooked Rendering heats the parts to destroy bacteria and remove much of their water.
3. 03 // Process Fat separated Much of the melted fat is removed, leaving protein and minerals in the solids.
4. 04 // Output Ground meal The dried solids are ground into uniform particles that a kibble plant can weigh into a recipe.

1. 01

   Adds animal protein

   Rendering removes most of the water before turkey meal reaches the kibble plant. Each pound added therefore contributes more protein than a pound of wet turkey.^4,7

2. 02

   Supplies some minerals

   Attached bone is permitted in turkey meal and contributes minerals. The ingredient name does not disclose how much bone a supplier used.⁷

3. 03

   Uses processing leftovers

   Rendering turns turkey parts outside the fresh meat market into saleable protein. An aquaculture paper called turkey meal cheaper than fish meal when available, which is not a current dog food price.^4,7

How much One controlled dog diet contained 3.3% turkey meal alongside other protein sources; the trial did not isolate turkey meal's effects.¹

1. Brands say

   Turkey meal gives more protein per pound than fresh turkey

   Evidence

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

   Rendering removes most of the water before weighing. One analyzed meal contained 66.6% protein on a dry matter basis. That supports the concentration claim, though this sample does not guarantee the protein content of every supplier's meal.^4,7

2. Owners say

   Turkey meal is safe for chicken allergic dogs

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   In a serum study, 29 of 30 chicken-reactive dog samples also recognized turkey meat. Blood recognition does not prove a dog will react when fed turkey meal, but turkey is an unreliable shortcut for a chicken elimination diet.²

3. Critics say

   Turkey meal is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   One turkey meal sample contained 66.6% protein, plus fat and amino acids. A separate dog study measured digestible protein in related poultry by-product meals. Turkey meal has a protein job, although its own digestibility remains unmeasured here.^3,4

4. Brands say

   Turkey meal protects a dog's heart through taurine

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   One laboratory analysis measured methionine in turkey meal, and dogs use methionine to make taurine. Neither that analysis nor a turkey meal feeding trial measured heart protection. Judge heart claims on the finished diet, not this ingredient's name.^4,6