Physicochemical Quality and Chemical Safety of Commercial Wet Cat Food: Composition, Oxidation, Biogenic Amines, and Trace Elements

This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics and chemical safety of commercial wet cat foods marketed in Brazil. Twenty products labeled as beef, chicken and fish flavors were analyzed for proximate composition, pH, lipid and protein oxidation, biogenic amines, and essential and potentially toxic trace elements. Moisture ranged from 78.13% to 94.87%, and protein varied from 37.38% to 89.97% dry matter. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) value reached 2.49 mg malondialdehyde (MDA)/kg dry matter, and carbonyl protein up to 0.81 nmoL/mg protein dry matter, indicating oxidative damage in part of the samples. Histamine, putrescine and cadaverine were detected on average levels of 7.5, 3.5 and 3.5 mg/kg wet matter, respectively, indicative for microbial activity and/or the use of raw materials of suboptimal quality. Trace element analysis revealed mercury concentration between 0.00 and 1.34 mg/kg, Cu (0.01 mg/kg) and Zn (45-50 mg/kg) were found in some samples (dry matter). The evidence of oxidation, biogenic amine and toxic elements in wet pet food, even within available international reference values, is a warning for chronic consumption by cats, a species with limited hepatic detoxification capacity. Overall, the findings highlight the need for strengthened quality assurance schemes and systematic surveillance on wet pet foods to better safeguard feline health.