New research shows tiny plastic particles are finding their way into commercial dog and cat food—and into our pets.
We want the best for our pets. We check the ingredients, the protein content, and the calories. But have you ever thought about the tiny plastic particles that may be in their food?
Our pets share our homes—and our environments. What’s around us can end up in them.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
1. Microplastics are common in commercial pet foods.
A major 2026 UK study tested 38 animal foods and found microplastics in 76% of the products and 84% of the brands tested. Common plastics included polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene.
2. Every dry dog and cat food sample contained microplastics.
A separate 2026 study found microplastics in 100% of dry dog- and cat-food samples. Dog food had more than twice as many particles as cat food—about 9.3 particles per 5 grams versus 4.1. The researchers identified PET, polyethylene, polypropylene and several other polymers.
3. The particles can be very small.
In another 2026 analysis, as many as 44% of detected particles were between 1 and 20 micrometers. Researchers estimated daily ingestion approaching 400–460 particles per day for dogs in the populations and foods they studied.
4. The food is not the only source.
An earlier U.S. study found PET and polycarbonate-related microplastic material in commercial pet foods and in dog and cat feces. Fecal levels were much higher than food levels, suggesting that household dust, water, air, grooming and other environmental sources may also contribute.
5. Plastic has been found inside dogs and cats.
A 2022 postmortem study examined 25 dogs and 24 cats and detected suspected microplastics in internal tissues of 35 of the 49 animals, including kidney, lung, intestine, liver and blood clot samples. About half of the particles were only 1–10 micrometers in size.
WHY THIS MATTERS
We do not yet know what long-term effects these tiny plastic particles may have on dogs and cats.
But we do know: pets eat the same food, from the same bag, every day for years. If that food contains microplastics, lifelong daily exposure is very possible.
Understanding where these particles come from, how much is too much, and what the body does with them is an important area for future research.
POSSIBLE SOURCES IN PET FOOD
- Use of plastic equipment in processing
- Plastic packaging (bags, liners, containers)
- Contamination from the environment during manufacturing, transport and storage
- Water used in processing
- Ingredients (e.g., fish meal, oils) that may already contain microplastics
WHAT CAN PET OWNERS DO?
- Buy high-quality foods from reputable companies with transparent sourcing and manufacturing practices.
- Store food in clean, non-plastic containers if possible.
- Keep feeding areas and floors clean to reduce dust that may contain microplastics.
- Provide filtered water.
- Stay informed as research continues to evolve.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Tiny plastic particles are showing up in commercial pet foods and inside cats and dogs.
While we don’t know the long-term impact, reducing exposure where we can is a smart step as science works to find answers.
REFERENCES
1. Stella, A. et al. (2026). First evidence of microplastics in animal foods. Environmental Toxicology, 41(4), 1662–1671. https://doi.org/10.1003/etcly.vga130
2. Li, J. et al. (2026). Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in dry dog and cat food. Science of the Total Environment, 963, 177123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.177123
3. Gago, J. et al. (2026). Microplastic occurrence in pet food and estimated daily intake in cats and dogs. Environmental Pollution, 377, 124817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.124817
4. Tjalvitie, J. et al. (2017). Do fibers from pet beds and plastic from bowls add to plastic pollution in dogs and cats? Environmental Science & Technology, 51(16), 9137–9146. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b01097
5. Neumann, S. et al. (2022). First evidence of microplastics in the tissues of dogs and cats. Environmental Science & Technology, 56(20), 14127–14135. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c02199