Cat Food Safety News: A new study of popular cat foods found detectable levels of several environmental and industrial contaminants in much of the category. The study examined 100 different cat foods from 62 brands, and levels of contaminants varied depending on the type of food, the protein source and the ingredients. Here are all the details that you need to know.
Cat Food Safety News: What did the new cat food study find?
The study, released by Clean Label Project on October 2, 2026, examined more than 122 contaminants and toxins, including heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, herbicide residues and processing by-products. Lead was detected in 99% of the tested products, while cadmium was found in 96% and arsenic in 94%. The researchers stressed that the presence of a contaminant does not by itself establish that a particular product will harm cats.
How did protein sources affect contamination levels?
Protein source emerged as an important difference in the findings. Nearly 85% of poultry-based foods met the study’s purity standard, compared with 25.7% of fish and seafood products. Fish and seafood foods also contained substantially more mercury overall, with the study reporting about 18 times more mercury than other protein categories; fish-based wet foods had about 28 times more mercury than other wet foods.
Why did dry cat food attract attention?
The study also found differences based on food format. Dry cat food contained roughly three times more lead than wet or air-dried products. The researchers also observed a relationship between plant ingredients and glyphosate, reporting that each additional plant ingredient among the first 10 ingredients was associated with about 40% higher glyphosate levels.
Did packaging make a difference too?
Packaging was another factor examined in the investigation. Canned and pouched cat foods carried about five times more DEHP than bagged products where the chemical was detected. The study explained that contaminants can enter pet food through different pathways, including naturally occurring substances in soil, water and marine environments, ingredients, processing and packaging.
Cat Food Safety News: What should cat owners know about the findings?
This study does not say that every product tested was unsafe or that contaminants were added to cat food on purpose. “Our results show that levels of contamination can vary and that lower levels are achievable through ingredient sourcing, supplier testing and tighter quality controls,” researchers said. Purchased products from the market and tested by an independent analytical chemistry laboratory were analysed, and results were standardised per 1,000 calories to account for differences between wet and dry foods.
Disclaimer: The study’s findings represent testing of 100 products and should not be interpreted as proof that a particular cat food causes illness or harm. Pet owners concerned about their cat’s diet or health should discuss individual dietary needs with a veterinarian.
