Ingredient file // Animal protein
Pork Plasma
A useful protein with a binding job
Pork plasma is the liquid separated from pig blood after the blood cells are removed, usually dried for pet food. It supplies digestible protein and helps wet food hold its shape. Claims that it protects a dog's gut go beyond the evidence.
Role in the food Does a job
- What it is
- The protein-rich liquid separated from pig blood cells, commonly concentrated and dried before use in pet food.
- Made from
- Blood collected during pork processing
- Main job
- Protein and wet food binding
- Typical amount
- A few percent in tested dog food formulas
- Watch for
- Dogs with a diagnosed pork allergy
- Not the same as
- Whole blood meal
Our read // In our catalog
In 1 of every 115 foods we track
Share of foods that list it
1%
27 of the 3,105 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 6 brands. 26 wet dog food, 1 dry dog food.
Each square is 1% of the catalog
Where it sits on the label
Median position 10. In the top five of 1 food, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.
Above the salt
Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.
Price per lb
Median of the cheapest bag price across 2 priced foods, 59% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.
Who leans on it
63%
of the foods that list it are from Royal Canin. 6 brands use it in total.
What it is
How it is made
Pork processing produces blood that needs prompt handling. Manufacturers separate its liquid fraction from the cells, concentrate it, and often spray-dry it. The powder provides protein and binds ingredients in wet food.7,8
- 01 // Source Collected pig blood Blood collected during pork processing receives an anticoagulant so it stays liquid during handling.
- 02 // Process Cells separated A centrifuge separates red blood cells from the liquid plasma, which contains soluble proteins.
- 03 // Process Concentrated and dried Filtration or evaporation removes water before spray drying turns the concentrated plasma into powder.
- 04 // Output Plasma powder The dried powder reaches pet food plants as an ingredient for kibble or wet food.
What is in it
Composition, dry matter
87.5
% protein
Protein measured in one dried plasma batch. Plasma is an animal protein source, although the amount varies between products.
Why it is in the bag
Mostly a wet food binder, with some protein
- Main nutrition
- Supporting nutrient
- Does a job
- Mostly filler
In wet food, pork plasma's soluble proteins hold water and firm chunks and loaves. Tests found 1.5 or 2.5% plasma gave harder chunks with less water loss than wheat gluten. Labels list ingredients by weight, so when plasma appears in the middle of the list, below the meats, it likely adds only a modest share of the food's protein. That protein is well digested, but the meats above it supply most of it.2,7,11
-
01
Adds animal protein
Plasma contributes protein that dogs digest well. It can add protein alongside meat ingredients without bringing much fat into the formula.2,5
-
02
Binds wet food
Its soluble proteins hold water and help keep cooked chunks or loaves together. Wet food tests found firmer chunks and less water loss than with wheat gluten.7
-
03
Uses a pork coproduct
Industrial blood collection supplies a processing stream that would otherwise need another destination. Drying makes it shippable, while its protein and binding properties give manufacturers two uses for one ingredient.7,8
How much Dog kibble trials tested 1 to 12% dried plasma; wet food binding tests used 1.5 to 2.5%.1,2,7
Our read // The claims
What the evidence supports
Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.
-
Brands say
Plasma supplies digestible animal protein
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
An 8-dog feeding study estimated plasma protein digestibility at 91.2%, and one dried batch measured 87.5% protein on a dry basis. It is a real protein source, though the digestibility estimate comes from a small trial.2,5
-
Brands say
Plasma improves digestion and reduces stool
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
Supplier-authored trials involving 22 Beagles reported about 15% less fecal dry matter. An 8-dog trial found no fecal-output difference at 4 to 12% plasma. A dependable stool reduction has not been shown.1,2
-
Brands say
Dogs find food with plasma tastier
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
In a 20-dog choice study, 2% plasma drew more first choices, while 4% drew fewer. A separate 20-dog test also favored the control food over a 4% plasma food. Preference depends on the recipe and amount.2,4
-
Brands say
Plasma antibodies protect your dog's gut
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
A 12-dog trial found higher fecal IgA with an 8% plasma diet. It did not show that plasma antibodies caused the change, prevent illness, or treat gut disease. The protection claim remains untested in dogs.3
Straight answers
What owners ask
-
Q01
Is it just filler?
NoIt supplies digestible animal protein. In wet food, it also helps bind water into chunks or loaves. Those are useful jobs, even when pork plasma contributes only a small part of the recipe.2,5,7
-
Q02
Is it blood meal?
NoBlood meal comes from dried blood. Pork plasma is separated from the blood cells before drying, so it contains a different mix of proteins. The names describe different ingredients.7,8
-
Q03
Does it treat gut problems?
No proofThe 12-dog trial studied healthy dogs and measured an immune marker and changes in fecal bacteria. It did not test treatment or prevention of gut disease.3
Who uses it
Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps
Top brands, by foods that list it
Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it
- Chicken 85%
- Water Sufficient for Processing 74%
- Pork By-Products 63%
- Powdered Cellulose 63%
- Pork Liver 59%
- Wheat Flour 41%
- Chicken Liver 41%
- Brewers Rice 37%
- Chicken By-Product 33%
- Carrots 30%
- Wheat Gluten 30%
- Fish Oil 22%
On the shelf
Foods that list it
27 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.
Show 26 more
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog Food30.6% proteinRoyal Canin Comfort Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food38.9% proteinRoyal Canin Large Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog Food37.2% proteinRoyal Canin Weight Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food44.1% proteinRoyal Canin Starter Mother & Babydog Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Wet Dog Food43.6% proteinEukanuba Adult Beef & Vegetable Stew , case of 12 Wet Dog Food42.8% proteinEukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy , case of 12 Wet Dog Food43.4% proteinEukanuba Adult Chicken & Vegetable Stew , case of 12 Wet Dog Food42.1% proteinRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Weight Control loaf in sauce Wet Dog Food32.6% proteinEukanuba Adult Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy , case of 12 Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinRoyal Canin Veterinary Health Nutrition Canine Advanced Mobility Support loaf in sauce Wet Dog Food32.5% proteinGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Shredded Chicken Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinHill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog Food27.8% proteinRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Dog Food34.9% proteinRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Labrador Retriever Adult Wet Dog Food38.4% proteinRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Adult Wet Dog Food35.0% proteinRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition French Bulldog Loaf In Sauce Wet Dog Food39.6% proteinRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Puppy Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food38.1% proteinRoyal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mature 8+ Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinRoyal Canin Veterinary Canine Urinary SO thin slices in gravy Wet Dog Food35.1% proteinRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Digestive Care Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food37.4% proteinRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Adult In Gel Wet Dog Food28.9% proteinRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Beauty Adult Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food34.4% proteinRoyal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Mature Adult in Gel Wet Dog Food34.9% proteinNutro Natural Choice Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinNutriSource Element Series Grain Free Wild Range Recipe Dry Dog Food40.0% proteinOur read // On the bag
Read it as protein with a binding job
Pork plasma low on a kibble ingredient list is a small protein addition. In wet food, it may chiefly hold the chunks or loaf together. Check the named meats and the finished food's protein on a dry matter basis before judging the recipe. Avoid it if your dog has a diagnosed pork allergy.
Sources
What we read
Checked October 1, 2026.
- 1 Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on intake and apparent digestibility in dogs
- 2 Spray-dried porcine plasma in dog foods: implications on digestibility, palatability and haematology
- 3 Effects of spray-dried plasma on nutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites, microbiota, and immune and inflammatory biomarkers in adult dogs
- 4 Palatability Testing of Spray-Dried Animal Plasma-Infused Dog Foods and Treats
- 5 Microbial and molecular signatures for enhanced gut health in pigs fed a diet with spray-dried plasma as functional protein source
- 6 Comparative Analysis of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma and Hydrolyzed Porcine Protein as Animal-Blood-Derived Protein Ingredients for Pet Nutrition
- 7 Spray-Dried Animal Plasma as a Multifaceted Ingredient in Pet Food
- 8 Biosafety steps in the manufacturing process of spray-dried plasma: a review with emphasis on the use of ultraviolet irradiation as a redundant biosafety procedure
- 9 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats
- 10 Biological Contaminants
- 11 Ingredients - Making Pet Food