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bioRxiv · 10.1101/172544

Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines

Davies, M.·Jones, L.·Alborough, R.·Davis, C.·Williams, C.·Gardner, D. S.
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Abstract

The mineral content of complete pet food is regulated to ensure health of the companion animal population. A comprehensive analysis of adherence to these regulatory guidelines has not been conducted. We measured mineral composition of a range of complete wet (n=97) and dry (n=80) canine and feline pet food sold in the UK to assess compliance with EU guidelines. While a majority of foods complied with [≥]8 of 11 guidelines (99% and 83% for dry and wet food, respectively), many failed to provide nutritional minimum (e.g. Cu, 20 % of wet food) or exceeded nutritional maximum (e.g. Se, 76% of wet food). Only 6% (6/97) of wet and 39% (34/80) of dry food were fully compliant. Some foods (20-30% of all analysed) had mineral imbalances such as not having the recommended balance of Ca:P (between 1:1 to 2:1). Foods with high fish content had high levels of undesirable metal elements such as arsenic. The study highlights broad non-compliance of a range of popular pet foods sold in the UK with EU guidelines (95% and 61% of wet and dry foods, respectively). If fed exclusively and over an extended period, a number of these pet foods could impact the general health of companion animals.

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Davies, M., Jones, L., Alborough, R., Davis, C., Williams, C., Gardner, D. S.. 2017-08-04. Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines. https://doi.org/10.1101/172544

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