Quail
58 foods contain this ingredient
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About Quail
Quail is a small-game bird used as a novel or alternative animal protein in dog and cat foods.
Quail is used in pet foods as a novel or alternative animal protein—available as meat, whole-ground bird, or meal—to provide high-quality, bioavailable protein and essential amino acids for both dogs and cats. It supplies B vitamins and minerals like iron, is often featured in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas, but pets can still develop sensitivities, raw or cooked bones may present hazards, and diets relying heavily on quail should be complete or balanced by formulation or supplementation.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- whole quail meat, ground bird, or quail meal
- Primary role
- novel animal protein and amino acid source
Why it's used
Quail supplies a complete amino acid profile plus B vitamins and minerals like iron, and its relatively lean composition makes it a leaner option compared with some other meats. Because most dogs and cats have limited prior exposure to it, quail is often chosen for limited-ingredient or elimination-style formulas.
Common concerns
- Novel protein status can fade with repeated use The value of quail as a novel protein depends on a pet not having eaten it before, so repeated exposure across products over time can reduce its usefulness for future elimination diets.
- Individual sensitivity still possible As with any protein, an individual pet can still develop a sensitivity or intolerance to quail even though it is less commonly used than chicken or beef.
- Bone content in whole-prey or raw formulations Formulations that include whole quail or quail bone carry the general handling and processing considerations that apply to bone-in poultry products.
Also relevant
Diets built primarily around quail should still be formulated to meet complete and balanced nutrient standards rather than relying on the meat alone.
Common Questions
What category is Quail?
Quail is categorized as a protein ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Quail part of an allergen group?
Yes. Quail is grouped under the Poultry allergen group in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Quail?
58 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Quail, including Inception, Ketogenic Pet Foods, Made by Nacho.
Foods with Quail
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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