Recent studies show that many pet foods, especially fish-based varieties, contain concerning levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that exceed safety limits advised by the European Health Organization for human consumption.

The research highlights the urgent need to enhance monitoring of harmful contaminants in pet products and better understand the associated risks to our furry companions, as emphasized by Kei Nomiyama from Ehime University, Japan.

“While we don’t suggest an immediate health crisis, our findings reveal significant knowledge gaps,” Nomiyama states. “Pet owners should focus on ingredient composition and consider diversifying protein sources to mitigate potential exposure risks.”

PFAS are synthetic chemicals widely used in various products and can remain in the environment for extensive periods, sometimes for hundreds or thousands of years. Studies indicate that individuals repeatedly exposed to PFAS may face increased risks of liver damage, certain cancers, and other serious health conditions. Although the impact on pets remains an underexplored area, existing research on cats has linked certain PFAS to liver, thyroid, kidney, and respiratory diseases.

Nomiyama and his team observed that persistent organic contaminants were prevalent in pet food. Given the ubiquity of PFAS worldwide, particularly in aquatic environments, they sought to identify the presence of these contaminants in pet foods.

To conduct their research, the team analyzed the PFAS concentration in 34 popular wet and dry pet foods (48 for dogs and 52 for cats) available in Japan between 2018 and 2020. Using the average food intake and body weight of dogs and cats, they estimated daily PFAS ingestion for each product.

Alarmingly, some products had moderate to high PFAS levels, frequently surpassing the daily intake limits for humans as established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Among dog foods, the highest PFAS concentrations were noted in Japanese grain-based products, likely due to agricultural runoff and fish byproducts. Conversely, meat-based products generally had lower PFAS levels, with certain Japanese and Australian brands showing no detectable PFAS.

For cat food, fish-based items sourced from Asia, the U.S., and Europe, especially wet food from Thailand, exhibited the highest PFAS levels.

“The ocean often acts as a repository for numerous synthetic chemicals,” Nomiyama warned. “In essence, PFAS can accumulate and escalate through aquatic food webs.”

Regional variations may demonstrate historical and current PFAS production patterns, alongside raw material sourcing differences. Nevertheless, PFAS contamination is a global challenge. “A more harmonized global monitoring approach would be beneficial,” notes Nomiyama.

The EFSA refrained from commenting specifically on study results but indicated that proposed human safety limits should not be directly applied to other animal risk assessments.

Nomiyama concurs, stressing that the findings indicate alarmingly high PFAS levels that warrant further development of risk assessments for pets.

“Companion animals inhabit the same environments as us and serve as indicators of chemical exposure in numerous ways,” he explains. “Understanding contaminant levels in pet foods isn’t merely an animal health concern; it also aids in comprehending broader environmental contamination pathways. Ongoing evaluation of long-term exposure and species-specific toxicity in companion animals is crucial.”

Haakon Ostad Langberg, from Akvaplanniva, a Norwegian nonprofit research institute, stated that the results align with expectations. “These substances are distributed globally, with some PFAS known for their persistence and potential to bioaccumulate in food webs,” he stated.

“The more pressing issue is that PFAS are pervasive, exposing both people and animals from various sources,” added Langberg. “These compounds are present across all environmental media and numerous products, leading to cumulative exposure. This study offers significant data in addressing that widespread challenge.”