Why microplastics in dog food threaten your pet’s health
As a dog owner, you love your pet and want the best for them, especially when it comes to their food. However, microplastic contamination is increasingly common in pet products and food.
Choosing sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic items helps protect the environment and keeps your dog safe.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles found in many everyday products. Each year, around 10-40 million metric tons escape into the air.
Plastics typically enter the body through inhalation or ingestion. Nanoplastics are a class of microplastics that are even tinier and similarly harmful to humans and pets.
Primary microplastics are produced in small quantities, while secondary microplastics occur when larger plastics break down.
Secondary microplastics can be more harmful, as their shapes absorb more toxins and transfer them to living beings. You do not want either in your or your dog’s food.
How plastics enter dog food
Microplastics enter dog food during multiple stages of its life cycle. Some of the more dangerous plastics are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, and polycarbonate.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP) pose less risk but are not entirely safe. Be mindful of these when browsing product ingredient lists.
Manufacturing and production
During production, factory workers add chemical additives during different stages of the process, which create microplastics.
These chemicals preserve food longer, but they have potentially harmful effects. Machinery can also shed plastic into dog food during manufacturing. Hard hats, gloves, and other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) can also allow the substance to enter products.
Plastic packaging
Many manufacturers package dog food in plastic. As people transport and handle packages, microplastics can transfer to the food.
Frequent opening and closing increase the amount of harmful substances from friction. Shifting room temperatures, especially heat, increases the number because they speed up the material’s breakdown.
While you cannot control it during transport, you should be aware of the potential.
Other products
Microplastics can enter dog food via other pet products, such as toys and water bowls. Dropped playthings can contaminate food.
The liquid in the bowl can cause plastic to seep into the water. Dog leashes, harnesses, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, and many other common items can be potentially harmful.
Household dust also contains microplastics that can end up in dog food.
Once you know where to look, you can remove plastic-rich materials from other areas of your house.
Are microplastics harmful to dogs?
While there is no substantial research, the existing studies are concerning. Some chemicals that are safe for humans are not always safe for dogs. Microplastics are similar.
Scientists recently found plastic in dog testes, potentially harming their reproductive ability and other vital organs. While the dog could have been exposed to the substance in numerous ways, their food could be the culprit.
There are other potential health risks for dogs associated with microplastic ingestion:
- Inflammation: It begins with an infection and gradually worsens.
- Metabolic issues: Some signs include constant hunger and hair loss.
- Oxidative stress (OS): If left untreated, OS can affect organs and lead to more dire health concerns.
How to reduce plastic exposure
Without sufficient research, it is difficult for the government to pass dog food regulations to reduce microplastic content.
However, pet owners can be more eco-conscious and pet-friendly by avoiding plastic products.
You can buy items made from recycled or more sustainable materials, such as rubber or natural fibers, that contain significantly fewer harmful substances.
Avoiding single-use packaging and relying on biodegradable containers are other good practices.
Upgrade food and water bowls
Switch your pet’s food and water bowls to non-plastic materials, such as stainless steel or ceramic.
The bowls are nonporous, meaning substances cannot pass through them, and are resistant to leaching, which occurs when plastic leaches into other objects.
Regularly clean out these bowls in case microplastics enter them from another source.
Choose products with natural materials
Toys made out of natural materials are another viable option.
Many pet stores sell rubber, cotton, or other non-plastic toys that are much safer for your dog to munch on.
They also prevent the substance from entering your dog’s food if they accidentally drop one into their bowl.
You should check pet products for a BPA-free label, which is commonly found in clear plastics. Scientists suspect BPA could cause obesity in some breeds.
Improve food storage
Remove dog food from its container, especially if it’s plastic. Instead, pour it into a glass or stainless steel box.
This material does not contain as many microplastics, and prevents them from entering your dog’s food more than they already have.
Clean the new holder periodically, especially if you leave the lid off for a long time.
Adopt a sustainable, plastic-free lifestyle
While it is unlikely to eliminate all microplastics from your dog’s food and toys, reducing exposure risk can improve your dog’s quality of life and reduce potential health risks.
You can help your dog by limiting the use of plastic pet products and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
Grace Waters is a Senior Editor at Environment.co with deep expertise in sustainability and environmental conservation. Drawing on a lifelong passion for the natural world, she writes about eco-conscious pet care practices and how pet owners can make sustainable choices that benefit both animals and the planet.