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My dog's food contains chicken by-product. Is it safe or harmful?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | neutered | 10 lbs

I give IAMS to my Chi. I noticed that it used "chicken by-product." Any harm in this ingredient?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on March 10th, 2017

No, there is nothing harmful about chicken by-products at all in dog food. This refers to ground up chicken carcasses once the muscle meat is removed, and includes bones and internal organs - these are parts of the bird that dogs would naturally eat, and are an important source of calcium and vitamins.

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