Corn Protein Concentrate
Our ingredient score: 1 / 5 · Plant protein concentrate · How We Score
Corn gluten meal and corn protein are the protein part of corn left after the starch is removed. They are a low-cost way to raise the protein percentage on the label. For cats this protein is incomplete: it is low in amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan, contains no taurine and is less digestible than meat protein. A food can show high protein on the label while much of that protein comes from corn. Corn is one of the crops regularly tested for mold toxins such as aflatoxin. High on the ingredient list, it means a large share of the protein comes from a plant.
Common Questions
Is corn protein concentrate safe for cats?
Corn protein concentrate is protein separated from corn after the starch is removed, a product close to corn gluten meal. US pet food ingredients must match their AAFCO definitions and be listed by weight. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that plant protein sources contain no taurine, so cats need some animal protein or added taurine. For a cat with a medical condition, ask your veterinarian about the diet.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
Why is corn protein concentrate in cat food?
It raises the protein content of a dry food at low cost. Corn protein concentrate is the protein portion of corn left after starch is taken out. A label can then show a high protein percentage even when much of it comes from corn instead of meat. Corn protein is low in the amino acids lysine and tryptophan.
What is the difference between corn protein concentrate and corn gluten meal?
Both are the protein part of corn left once the starch is removed. The names come from different ingredient definitions and processing steps, and the exact protein level varies by supplier. A manufacturer picks one name or the other for the label. For a cat the practical point is the same, since the protein comes from a plant. Pettings scores both 1 out of 5.
Do cats need taurine from food?
Yes. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats have a dietary requirement for taurine and that plant protein sources are devoid of it. Cats therefore need some animal protein in the diet, or synthetic taurine added to the food. Corn protein concentrate supplies none, so a food built around plant proteins relies on meat or a taurine supplement, which you will usually see further down the ingredient list.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
How does Pettings score corn protein concentrate?
Pettings gives corn protein concentrate 1 out of 5 and lists it as a plant protein concentrate. It appears on 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score reflects a protein that is incomplete for cats, with no taurine and lower digestibility than meat. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.
How Foods With Corn Protein Concentrate Compare
Corn Protein Concentrate is on the label of 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.