Study Finds Microplastics in 29 of 38 Pet Food Products Tested

A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry examined microplastic levels in pet food after researchers found plastic particles in 19 percent of 189 hedgehog droppings collected from gardens and rehabilitation centres across the UK. The team first checked invertebrates and soil from 51 sites in Sussex and found plastics across multiple species and land types.

They then tested 38 pet food products sold for cats, dogs, and hedgehogs, purchasing six retail units of each brand and sampling one gram from each container.

Findings on contamination levels Microplastics appeared in 29 of the 38 products.

Eighteen products showed contamination in more than one retail unit. Value-priced items had more positive samples, and dry food contained more particles per gram than wet food. Based on average levels measured in wet dog food, a large dog could ingest roughly 313 microplastic particles daily. Products containing animal derivatives accounted for most of the positive samples.

Recommendations from the research The authors noted that pet food showed higher microplastic levels than human food in comparable studies, likely due to ingredient quality. They called for government-mandated testing of processed foods to match existing safety checks for chemical contaminants.

The researchers stated that reducing contamination during manufacturing would limit exposure for both pets and wild hedgehogs that rely on food left outdoors.