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Are cats, dogs, or horses ever used as ingredients in pet food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 7 years and 9 months old | 17 lbs

Hello, can someone please clarify what exactly this definition means? It seems rather vague to me. Does this mean that cats and dogs or horses could technically be used in pet food, according to this definition? Please explain..what other mammals are there besides what they are saying..?

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 17th, 2020

Hello again! I’m now a vet on a meatworks plant, so I’m the perfect person to answer this. Cats and dogs are never used in pet food, but horses can be used. So can deer, ostriches, goats, and bison among other mammals. I hope this helps!

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