A veterinary expert has warned that an additive in canned cat food could cause cancer in common pets.
Author Ingrid King, also a former veterinary hospital administrator and veterinary journalist, expressed concern about the presence of carrageenan, a substance that causes colon cancer when tested on animals in the laboratory.
According to the Cornucopia Institute, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recognizes hydrolyzed carrageenan – which is used as a gelling agent in many popular cat food brands – as a "probable human carcinogen."
There are two types of carrageenan: degraded and non-degraded, with processors claiming that food-grade carrageenan falls entirely into the non-degraded category.
However, one study showed that in the products tested, not a single sample of food-grade carrageenan could confidently claim to be completely free of potential carcinogens.
In an article published on the cat website Catster, Ms King warned pet owners that food-grade, or "undegraded", carrageenan is on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) list of products “generally recognized as safe (GRAS). " items.
Despite concerns about how the agent affects cat health, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines it as an acceptable emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener.
However, Ms King warns that the breakdown of carrageenan, which occurs at high temperatures and acidity, has been linked to gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach and intestinal cancers in animals.
She revealed she felt "increasingly concerned" about feeding cats or other animals foods containing carrageenan.
The veterinary expert went on to say that while it's difficult to find foods that don't contain this ingredient, it's important to read pet food labels and find alternatives if your cat's current diet contains it.
She concluded by saying that pet owners should exercise caution and care when checking their cat's food for this ingredient.
Unless your cat completely refuses to eat brands that don't contain carrageenan, pet owners should consider substituting any applicable food containing this ingredient, Ingrid mentioned.