04/24/2026
One more reason to know what in the bowl! Trusted and affordable sources of fresh food available Tu, Th, Fr 10-6, Sat 10-2 at IAS. We will guide you on how to transition.
A new peer reviewed study published in the journal Environmental Research found that commercial dry dog and cat foods contain tiny pieces of plastic (microplastics), and they were detected in every brand tested. Dog food had more than double the levels found in cat food, with dogs exposed to about 9 particles per 5 grams, compared to about 4 per 5 grams in cat food. The plastics included common materials such as PET, polyethylene, and polypropylene, likely originating from raw ingredients, processing equipment, and packaging. Researchers suggest dogs may face greater whole body exposure due to higher intake, while cats may be more prone to chronic gut irritation.
If you are looking to support gut health, certain probiotic strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus are among the most studied. They have been shown to support the gut barrier, help balance the microbiome, and reduce inflammation, especially in cases like acute diarrhea. For more information on how to help limit your pet’s microplastic exposure, visit www.ProactivePaws.com
