Study finds lead, mercury, and pesticides in nearly all top-selling cat foods
A new investigation by the Clean Label Project found that nearly all tested cat foods contain toxic contaminants, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and the herbicide glyphosate. The study analyzed 100 top-selling products from 62 brands, revealing that lead was present in 99% of samples and cadmium in 96%. While the industry argues that rigorous safety protocols ensure product safety, experts warn that chronic exposure to these heavy metals and plastic chemicals like phthalates may accumulate in cats over time, potentially contributing to health issues such as kidney disease. The report highlights that premium or 'natural' labels do not guarantee purity, with fish-based foods showing significantly higher mercury levels than poultry-based options.