An investigation, by the U.S. based Environmental Working Group, into pet exposures to household contaminants such as plastics, food packaging and stain-proofing chemicals, heavy metals and fire retardants, has found that average levels of many chemicals were higher in cats and dogs than they typically are in people.

Of 35 chemicals detected in dogs, 40% were at higher levels than is typical for humans. Highest levels were recorded for Teflon chemicals which may have come from dog food bag coatings, house dust and stain-proofed furniture, dog beds and carpets. Dogs were also contaminated with fire retardants, which disrupt thyroid hormone function and pose risks to the brain during development, and phthalate (plastic) breakdown products which may pose risks for reproductive damage, birth defects and cancer.

Of the 46 chemicals detected in cats, 96% were at higher levels than those typically found in people. Teflon chemicals, phthalates and fire retardants featured strongly. Relative to people, cats showed very high levels of neurotoxic fire retardants and methyl mercury, a pollutant from coal power plants and a common seafood contaminant.

The researchers concluded that, in being exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals, often at levels far in excess of those found in people, cats and dogs may be serving as sentinels for human health. They stated that a new system of public health protection, that required companies to prove the safety of chemicals before they were sold, would help protect both us and our pets.

Reference

Environmental Working Group  2008   High Levels of Toxic Industrial Chemicals Contaminate Cats and Dogs    Online, available at : http://www.ewg.org/reports/pets (Viewed on 18.4.08)