Pet Food Ingredient
Chicken
Fresh chicken muscle meat, usually deboned, used as a primary protein source in dog and cat food. Contains roughly 75% water by weight in its raw form.
Also labelled as
Source
Slaughtered chicken carcasses, deboned and ground before inclusion.
Regulatory status
AAFCO defines "chicken" as the clean combination of flesh and skin, with or without accompanying bone, derived from parts of whole carcasses of chicken (AAFCO Official Publication, ingredient definitions).
Key notes
- —Chicken is the most common reported food allergen in dogs, accounting for roughly 38-40% of confirmed food-allergic dogs (Mueller et al., BMC Vet Research 2016 meta-analysis).
- —Because fresh chicken is ~75% water, its ranking in ingredient lists overstates its contribution to finished dry food. Chicken meal (pre-dried, ~10% moisture) delivers more protein per pound.
Classified as a chicken allergen source in the scanner's cross-match. If your pet reacts to chicken, this ingredient is also a trigger.
Common alternatives
Brands commonly using this ingredient
List based on typical formulations — specific SKUs may vary. Scan the actual label to confirm.
In-depth guides
Is this ingredient in your pet's food?
Scan the label. If it contains chicken or any of the alternative names above, the scanner will flag it against your pet's allergen profile.
Scan a label →This entry is factual reference. It is not medical or veterinary advice. Consult a veterinarian for any decisions about your pet's diet.