Cambridge University scientists released a cautioning to animal owners after tests revealed specific dog food might be putting animals at threat if they consume it often
Dog owners might be putting their family pets at threat if they routinely feed them a particular kind of raw meat, scientists have actually alerted.
Testing carried out by Cambridge University revealed precariously high levels of lead in dog food being offered in the UK.
Although lead shot can be lawfully utilized for hunting pheasant, scientists discovered 77% of samples had lead concentrations going beyond the optimum residue level (MRL) allowed in animal feed when they evaluated 90 samples drawn from 3 raw pheasant dog food purchased in the UK.
The research study comes as the appeal of raw meat diet plans for family pets is increasing in the UK. The specialists discovered raw pheasant animal food was offered by 34% of the 50 online raw animal food providers they inspected – and 71% said they might include shot.
Researchers recommended the high levels might be brought on by mincing, as this may piece lead shot, which can increase opportunities that lead will be taken in into the blood stream.
As such, dogs fed meat with high concentrations of lead are at threat, and puppies are especially susceptible due to the fact that of the effect on health.
Alongside the raw pheasant dog food, scientists examined 3 comparable chicken-based items. None of the samples from the chicken-based animal food consisted of undesirable levels of lead.
Commenting on the outcomes, lead author Professor Debbie Pain of Cambridge’s Zoology Department said: “We were already conscious that lead concentrations in pheasant meat cost human intake are frequently far greater than would be allowed in other meats like chicken, beef or pork.
“However, we were shocked to discover that lead concentrations in raw pheasant dog food were a lot greater.”
Co-author Professor Rhys Green said the arise from the ‘arbitrarily tested’ items recommend ‘this is a far more comprehensive problem’. “However, some manufacturers might source pheasants that have actually not been shot with lead, and owners might inquire about this when purchasing pet food.”
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