Chicken by-products, for example, include liver, heart, gizzard, and other organ meats that are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. In many cultures and for wild predators, organs are the most prized parts of prey. Named by-products (like chicken by-product meal) are preferred over generic by-products with no species identified. The negative reputation stems from the allowance of less desirable parts like feet, beaks, and intestinal contents in the legal definition. Quality varies significantly between manufacturers. High-quality by-product meals from reputable companies undergo strict quality control. Rather than rejecting by-products outright, evaluate the overall food quality, brand transparency, and your pet's health outcomes.