Can PFAS contaminate your pet's food and pose health risks to companion animals?

What's actually in it

PFAS get into pet food through contaminated ingredients, packaging, and processing. Pet foods contain meat, fish, and grains that may already carry PFAS from the environment. The packaging itself can add more. Dogs and cats eat the same food every day for years, making cumulative exposure high.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Pollut tested commercial pet foods for PFAS contamination. The researchers found PFAS in a wide range of pet food products. Fish-based and meat-based formulas had the highest levels. The study identified dietary sources as the main contributor and assessed health risks.

Pets face higher relative exposure because they eat the same food daily and are smaller than humans. PFAS in pets have been linked to thyroid problems, liver disease, and cancer, similar to effects seen in people.

Vary your pet's food brands and protein sources. Choose pet foods from companies that test for PFAS. Avoid fish-based formulas if PFAS is a concern. Use stainless steel bowls instead of plastic.