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Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines

Davies M., Jones L., Alborough R., Davis C., Williams C., View ORCID ProfileGardner D.S.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/172544
Davies M.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
2current address: Provet Limited, The Old School House, 7 Church lane, Ravenfield, South Yorkshire, S65 4NG.
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  • For correspondence: david.gardner@nottingham.ac.uk mikedaviesvet@gmail.com
Jones L.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
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Alborough R.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
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Davis C.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
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Williams C.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
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Gardner D.S.
1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5AD. United Kingdom
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  • ORCID record for Gardner D.S.
  • For correspondence: david.gardner@nottingham.ac.uk mikedaviesvet@gmail.com
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Abstract

The mineral content of complete pet food is regulated to ensure health of the companion animal population. A comprehensive analysis of adherence to these regulatory guidelines has not been conducted. We measured mineral composition of a range of complete wet (n=97) and dry (n=80) canine and feline pet food sold in the UK to assess compliance with EU guidelines. While a majority of foods complied with ≥8 of 11 guidelines (99% and 83% for dry and wet food, respectively), many failed to provide nutritional minimum (e.g. Cu, 20 % of wet food) or exceeded nutritional maximum (e.g. Se, 76% of wet food). Only 6% (6/97) of wet and 39% (34/80) of dry food were fully compliant. Some foods (20-30% of all analysed) had mineral imbalances such as not having the recommended balance of Ca:P (between 1:1 to 2:1). Foods with high fish content had high levels of undesirable metal elements such as arsenic. The study highlights broad non-compliance of a range of popular pet foods sold in the UK with EU guidelines (95% and 61% of wet and dry foods, respectively). If fed exclusively and over an extended period, a number of these pet foods could impact the general health of companion animals.

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Posted August 04, 2017.
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Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines
Davies M., Jones L., Alborough R., Davis C., Williams C., Gardner D.S.
bioRxiv 172544; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/172544
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Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines
Davies M., Jones L., Alborough R., Davis C., Williams C., Gardner D.S.
bioRxiv 172544; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/172544

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