Chicken fat is one of the most common fat sources in dog food. It's highly digestible, palatable, and provides essential fatty acids that dogs need.
Nutritional Benefits
- Concentrated energy: Fat provides 2.25x more calories than protein or carbs
- Omega-6 fatty acids: Linoleic acid for skin and coat health
- Palatability: Makes food taste better to dogs
- Fat-soluble vitamin absorption: Helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K
Why Named Fat Sources Matter
"Chicken fat" is preferable to generic "animal fat" or "poultry fat" because:
- The source is identified and traceable
- Quality control is more consistent
- It indicates better manufacturing practices
Generic "animal fat" can come from any source, and quality varies significantly.
Quality Preservation
Chicken fat requires preservation to prevent rancidity. Look for foods that use natural preservatives like:
- Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)
- Rosemary extract
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Avoid foods using synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin for fat preservation.
Is Chicken Fat Good for Dogs?
Yes—chicken fat is an excellent, digestible fat source for most dogs. Dogs with chicken allergies may need to avoid it, though fat allergies are rare compared to protein allergies.