Study finds heavy metals in nearly all cat food tested
A study found heavy metals in nearly all cat foods tested, but researchers say detecting contaminants doesn't mean the products are unsafe.
The Clean Label Project tested 100 cat food products from 62 brands for heavy metals and industrial toxins. Lead appeared in 99%, cadmium in 96% and arsenic in 94%.
Fish-based foods contained about 18 times more mercury than other products, and among wet foods, about 28 times more. Dry cat food had roughly three times more lead than wet or air-dried food after accounting for calories.
Glyphosate appeared in 37% of products, and DEHP was detected in 48 of the 100 products. However, the study was designed to compare contamination levels across types, not to assess safety.
- 100 from 62 brands
- Products tested
- 99%
- Lead detection rate
- 18 times more than other foods
- Mercury in fish products
- October 2, 2026
- Report release date
Why it mattersCat owners now know heavy metals are widespread in cat food, but the actual health risk remains unclear because the study wasn't designed to measure it.
AustraliaAustralian cat owners should ask their pet food suppliers whether they test finished products for heavy metals, to get better safety information.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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