Published : 02 Oct 2026, 09:16 PM
Updated : 02 Oct 2026, 09:16 PM
A new investigation into 100 top-selling cat food brands finds toxic heavy metals, plastic chemicals and a widely used herbicide in nearly all products tested -- including those marketed as premium or natural.
The Clean Label Project, a US nonprofit that tests consumer products for contaminants, screened more than 122 substances across 62 brands, reports CNN.
Lead turned up in 99 percent of samples, cadmium in 96 percent, and arsenic in 94 percent.
The findings cut across all product types -- wet, dry, and air- or freeze-dried -- with dry food containing roughly three times more lead than the alternatives.
Fish and seafood-based products fared worst for mercury and cadmium. Mercury levels were about 18 times higher in seafood-based foods than in those made with other proteins, according to CNN.
Because fish absorb methylmercury from water, the toxic compound concentrates in their tissue -- and ultimately in the cat food made from them.
Chicken-based foods performed better on mercury and cadmium but showed higher rates of lead and herbicide contamination. "It's a whack-a-mole situation," said report author Molly Hamilton.
The herbicide glyphosate -- classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organisation -- appeared in 37 percent of products, with higher levels in foods listing more plant ingredients.
A plastic chemical linked to cancer and birth defects was detected in roughly half of all products, mostly in canned and pouch packaging.
Hamilton warned that higher prices are no guarantee of cleaner food. "Cat owners increasingly choose premium meats and cleaner labels, assuming higher prices mean healthier food. That's not necessarily the case."
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common causes of death in older cats -- and the kidneys are the body's primary filter for heavy metals, Hamilton note, says CNN.
The Pet Food Institute, which represents manufacturers, said members follow comprehensive safety and quality programmes and that "cat owners should feel confident" in the food they buy.
Experts advise varying a cat's protein sources, favouring wet or air-dried food over dry, and contacting manufacturers directly about their contaminant testing practices.
