Concentrations of macronutrients, minerals and heavy metals in commercial dry and wet cat foods

This study aimed to compare the macronutrient composition, mineral content, and heavy metal concentrations of domestic and imported wet and dry cat foods sold in the Turkish market. A total of 32 fish-based cat food samples were analyzed, 16 domestic and 16 imported. Dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude cellulose, and crude ash analyses were determined in the foods. According to the results, imported dry foods had lower dry matter and crude ash levels; however, crude fat, crude cellulose, crude protein, and energy content were higher compared to domestic dry foods. Similarly, in the comparison of wet foods, domestic wet foods had lower crude protein (p=0.04) and crude cellulose levels than imported wet foods; however, crude ash (p=0.03) and crude fat were higher. In terms of energy contribution, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provided 38%, 31%, and 30% of energy, respectively, in domestic dry foods; and 33%, 32%, and 32% in imported dry foods. In domestic wet pet foods, the energy contribution of fat, protein, and carbohydrates was found to be 49%, 37%, and 14%, respectively; while in imported wet pet foods, it was 39%, 49%, and 12%. Mineral and heavy metal analyses revealed no significant difference in Ca, Mg, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, and Cu levels between wet and dry pet foods. A significant difference was found in Na levels in wet pet foods (p=0.025), with domestic wet pet foods having higher levels than imported wet pet foods. In dry pet foods, K levels were found to be significantly higher in imported pet foods (p=0.010). Furthermore, the significantly higher Pb levels in imported dry pet foods (p=0.038) suggest that imported raw materials may be more susceptible to environmental contamination. However, potentially toxic elements such as As, Cd and Pb remained within the safe limits set by international regulatory bodies in all samples. These findings indicate that commercial pet foods are generally safe in terms of heavy metal contamination. In conclusion, this study shows that the higher prices of imported cat food do not provide a significant advantage in terms of macronutrient, mineral, and heavy metal composition. It can be said that the price differences are mainly due to brand value, import costs, and marketing strategies.