Key Points
- Researchers analyzed 52 cat food samples in Sharjah, UAE, using ICP-OES to assess heavy metal content and compliance with global safety standards.
- About 30% of tested cat foods, especially dry types, exceeded permissible metal limits, with elevated levels of aluminum, cobalt, copper, iron, and zinc.
- Meat-based formulations had consistently higher metal concentrations than chicken or fish-based ones.
- The study urges stronger quality control by manufacturers and updated regulations to ensure long-term pet health and mitigate chronic exposure to heavy metals.
A recent study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis examined whether cat food sold in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, meets international safety standards on metal levels (1). This study, which was led by Lucy Semerjian of the University of Sharjah, tested 52 samples of wet and dry cat food purchased in the city during the spring of 2024. Then, using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Semerjian and the team were able to determine what types of cat food had higher than normal metal concentrations.
Pet ownership in the United Arab Emirates, similar to other countries, is increasing at a rapid clip. Over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, pet ownership in the UAE increased 30%, and this trend has only continued post-Covid-19 (2). Currently, the overall pet market in the UAE is estimated to be worth $2 billion USD, as more pet owners buy dog and cat food for their pets (2,3).
However, a major concern in the industry is the presence of heavy metals in pet food. In this study, the research team investigated cat food for its heavy metal content, determining how much of the cat food currently on market in the UAE meets the safety standards with its metal content.
What Were The Results Of The Study?
To carry out the analyses after the food samples were collected, the samples were prepared and examined using ICP-OES at the Environmental Health Science laboratory of the University of Sharjah. The rigorous method included drying, weighing, and digesting food samples, followed by filtration and analysis using precise calibration protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability (1).
The research team analyzed the concentrations of 10 metals, which included aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), all of which are known to pose potential health risks to companion animals when consumed in excess. These metal levels were evaluated against international pet food safety standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) (1).
To carry out the analyses, the samples were prepared and examined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) at the Environmental Health Science laboratory of the University of Sharjah. The rigorous method included drying, weighing, and digesting food samples, followed by filtration and analysis using precise calibration protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability (1).
Overall, the results of the study found that approximately 70% of the tested cat food samples met regulatory standards (1). However, the remaining 30% exceeded permissible metal concentrations, particularly in dry food formulations (1). Specifically, aluminum was found to surpass safety limits in one wet and two dry food samples. Dry food samples also showed elevated levels of cobalt (n = 2), copper (n = 2), manganese (n = 2), iron (n = 2), and zinc (n = 4) (1). Notably, dry foods exhibited significantly higher concentrations of all metals tested, except for cadmium and cobalt, compared to their wet counterparts.
The study also examined how metal concentrations varied with the protein source of the food. Among chicken, fish, and meat-based formulations, the latter consistently displayed higher levels of several metals, including aluminum, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, and lead (1). This finding suggests that ingredient sourcing and composition play a significant role in the final metal content of pet food products (1).
What Should Pet Food Manufacturers Take From This Study?
The long-term ingestion of even slightly elevated metal levels may adversely affect animal health, potentially causing liver damage, neurological issues, and other chronic conditions. These risks underscore the need for stringent quality control measures throughout the pet food production chain.
Pet food manufacturers should recognize the need to improve their quality assurance protocols, including routine testing of raw ingredients and finished products for metal content (1). Additionally, the researchers also call on regulatory authorities and inspection agencies in the UAE and GCC to enforce and update existing safety standards for pet food products (1). Veterinary professionals can also play a crucial role by educating pet owners about potential risks in pet food and guide them toward selecting safe, nutritious products for their pet.
To expand upon the insights gained in this study, the researchers propose future investigations into pet foods across other emirates in the UAE, as well as analyses of a broader array of toxic substances and additional pet food types, including those intended for dogs (1).
References
- Semerjian, L.; Alsuwaidi, S. M.; Alhosani, M. K.; et al. Quantification of Metals in Commercially Available Wet and Dry Cat Food in United Arab Emirates. J. Food Comp. Anal. 2025, 140, 107249. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2025.107249
- GlobalPETS, UAE’s Pet Industry Forecasts 500% Growth by 2025. Global Pet Industry. Available at: https://globalpetindustry.com/news/uaes-pet-industry-forecasts-500-growth-2025/#:~:text=by%20GlobalPETS%20News%20Team%20%E2%80%A2,to%20explore%20potential%20investment%20opportunities. (accessed 2025-05-21).
- Carry My Pet, Pet Ownership Rules in the UAE. Carrymypet.ae. Available at: https://www.carrymypet.ae/blog/view/pet-ownership-rules-in-the-uae#:~:text=Pet%20licenses%20are%20mandatory%20to,their%20respective%20municipality's%20veterinarian%20services. (accessed 2025-05-21).
