Studies suggest canned food poses health risks to pets

Some vets say that dry kibble alone does not meet all of a pet’s nutritional needs — but canned wet food also may pose a serious risk to pets’ health.

The culprit in canned dog food may be BPA (bisphenol A), a known endocrine disrupter found in polymer can linings and many plastics. A 2016 University of Missouri study found that BPA levels tripled — in just two weeks — in dogs switched from kibbles to canned food, with corresponding alterations to gut

microbiomes and metabolism.

Cats are not immune to the effects of canned food either. A study published in the Journal

of Small Animal Practice found that “exposure to food packaged in a can was … a major risk factor for the development of hyperthyroidism,” a potentially fatal condition.

Avoiding BPA is challenging but possible. Check for BPA-free labels. Use metal or ceramic food bowls. Can-free fresh food, which can be expensive, is increasingly available commercially — or you can make your own pet food with recipes found online.