10/03/2026
As a cat mom and the owner of a pet care business, this new cat food report caught my attention.
Last year, I lost two of my beloved cats to intestinal lymphoma. It was heartbreaking, and I still find myself wondering why. This report doesn’t answer that question, but it did make me want to learn more about what we’re feeding our pets.
The Clean Label Project tested 100 cat food products from 62 brands for more than 122 contaminants. According to its report, lead was detected in 99% of the products tested. Fish and seafood recipes generally had higher mercury and cadmium levels, and dry foods had higher lead levels on average.
Those findings concern me, but finding a contaminant doesn’t tell us by itself whether a particular food will make a cat sick. The amount and exposure matter, and this study wasn’t designed to prove that a food causes cancer.
And believe me, I understand picky cats. Mine have always loved Purina Fancy Feast wet food and Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach dry food. I’ve tried other brands, including more expensive ones, and they wanted nothing to do with them. You can buy what you think is the best food, but getting your cat to eat it is another story.
I’m sharing this because I think it deserves a closer look and a conversation with your veterinarian. I’m a professional pet sitter, not a vet, and I wouldn’t want anyone making a sudden food change based on a frightening headline.
One thing I would correct in some of the advice being shared: keep dry food in its original bag. If you use an airtight container, place the bag inside it. That also keeps the lot number and expiration information handy.
We all want to do right by our cats. For me, that means asking questions, looking carefully at the information, and getting guidance before making changes.
What food do your cats eat? And are yours as picky as mine?
The study figures above come from the Clean Label Project’s report. https://cleanlabelproject.org/cat-food-study/
