An investigation found up to 99% of cat food products that were tested had heavy metals.
A new investigation into cat food found that 99% of products across 62 top brands contain heavy metals.
The Clean Label Project’s findings, published Friday, revealed that nearly all cat food products and brands contained toxic chemicals. The company tested 100 top-selling cat foods, including wet, dry and air- or freeze-dried varieties, for more than 120 contaminants.
It also found that poultry-based products were nearly 85% more likely to meet the Clean Label Project’s purity standard, while fish and seafood products were only 25.7% likely to meet it.
Toxic plastic contaminants, the herbicide glyphosate and heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic were found in all types of cat food products, according to the report.
The nonprofit said it set its own purity standard rather than comparing it to the regulatory thresholds many brands often reference. According to the report, existing contaminant limits are often based on human health standards, dietary assumptions or outdated studies.
Lead was found in 99% of the 62 food samples; cadmium, which harms the kidneys and bones, was found in 96%; and arsenic was found in 94%., the report stated.
Fish and seafood proteins, especially wet versions, had the highest levels of mercury and cadmium, while chicken proteins had higher rates of lead and herbicides.
The heavy metals found in most cat food products can contribute to kidney issues, with chronic kidney disease among the most common causes of death in older cats.
The report says cat owners should try to vary their pet’s diet.
The report said wet or air-dried products are preferable to dry food for lower lead exposure, as dry food was found to have three times the lead levels of the other products. Additionally, pet owners should avoid foods with plants among the top 10 ingredients to reduce pesticide exposure.
At the end of the report, Clean Label Project listed three brands that are certified, according to their standards: Bixbi, Freshpet and Smalls.
CNN Newsource contributed to this report.
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