A veterinary expert has issued a warning about an additive found in canned cat food that could cause cancer in popular household pets.
Author Ingrid King, who is also a former veterinary hospital manager and veterinary journalist, expressed concern over the presence of carrageenan, a substance that has been found to cause colon cancer when tested on laboratory animals.
According to the Cornucopia Institute, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recognizes degraded carrageenan – which is used as a gelling agent in many popular cat food brands – as a ‘possible human carcinogen’.
This is based on research showing that it leads to higher rates of colon cancer in lab animals.
There are two types of carrageenan – degraded and undegraded, with processors saying that food-grade carrageenan falls squarely in the undegraded category.
However, one study showed that, of the products they tested, not a single sample of food-grade carrageenan could confidently claim to be completely free of the potential cancer-causing material.
In an article for cat website Catster, Ms King warned pet owners that food-grade or ‘undegraded’ carrageenan is on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) list of items that ‘ Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)’.
Despite concerns over how the agent could affect the health of cats, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines it as an acceptable emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener.
However, Ms King warned that degraded carrageenan, which occurs at high temperatures and acidity, has been linked to ulcerations in the gastro-intestinal tract and gastro-intestinal cancer in animals.
He revealed that he felt ‘extremely concerned’ about feeding cats or other animal foods containing carrageenan.
The veterinary expert continued by advising that, although foods without these ingredients can be a bit difficult to find, it’s important to read pet food labels and look for alternatives if your cat’s current food contains this.
He concluded by saying that pet owners should be careful and careful to scan your cat’s food for this ingredient.
Ingrid says that, unless your cat completely refuses to eat carrageenan-free brands, pet owners should consider substituting any appropriate food found to contain the substance.
