Fluoride in dog food may be harmful

A bowl of dog food placed out at feeding time

It seems that there is fluoride in everything these days … toothpaste, mouthwash, water … and dog food.  While fluoride may help to develop strong teeth, high amounts of fluoride have been found to be potentially dangerous to dogs.

According to a recent independent study by the Environmental Working Group, 8 out of 10 dog foods they tested contained high levels of fluoride.  There is no set standard for the level of fluoride in pet foods, but there is a set standard for water.  The levels in some of the dog foods were anywhere from 2.5 to 5 times higher than the safe standards for water.

For humans, high concentrations of fluoride can cause cancer.  Is it the same for dogs?  No one is entirely sure.  Fluoride is found naturally in a lot of water, and it has also been used as a safe, regulated additive in many products.  Once fluoride is ingested, it settles into the bones.  Many types of dog food use ground bones and internal organs as by-products.

Always read the label of dog food before you buy it to see if there are high concentrations of ground bone.  The Environmental Working Group study has indicated that foods containing ingredients made with chicken by-product, poultry by-product, meat and bone meal, and animal digest all may contain high levels of fluoride.  If you are uncertain of the ingredients of the dog food you use, contact the manufacturer for clarification.

Cat foods were not included in the study, but it’s probably safe to assume that cat foods that contain the same ingredients will most likely be questioned as well.

Photo credit: MShades on Flickr

July 8th, 2009 by Beth VanHoose | Posted in Dog Food | (1)