Commercial pet food sold in the United States is generally safe. It’s regulated under the same federal law that governs human food, requiring it to be free of harmful substances, produced under sanitary conditions, and truthfully labeled. That said, “safe” comes with nuances worth understanding, from pathogen risks that vary by product type to contaminant concerns and a still-unresolved question about certain ingredients and heart disease in dogs.
How Pet Food Is Regulated
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act covers all animal foods with the same core requirements as human foods. Every ingredient must be safe for its intended use and serve an appropriate function. Additives like preservatives, flavorings, and colorings need either formal FDA approval or must be “Generally Recognized As Safe.” Canned pet foods face additional rules: they must be processed under low-acid canned food regulations designed to eliminate viable microorganisms.
Labeling is also regulated. Manufacturers must identify the product, list all ingredients from most to least by weight, include net quantity, and provide the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor. If a product claims to be “complete and balanced,” it must either meet nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures. Meeting the AAFCO profile means the food contains every required nutrient at recommended levels. When you see that language on the label, the nutritional claim has been verified through one of those two paths.
Pathogen Risk Depends on Product Type
Not all pet food carries the same risk of bacterial contamination, and the differences are dramatic. Canned, cooked, and semi-moist pet foods consistently show low or zero rates of Salmonella in testing. Semi-moist foods have shown zero prevalence across the studies that have examined them. The heat processing involved in canning and cooking effectively kills harmful bacteria.
Dry kibble occupies a middle ground. Salmonella detection rates in dry pet food range from 0% to 64% across studies, though extremely high figures tend to trace back to specific contaminated batches rather than a systemic problem. Treats and chews can also carry risk: pig ear treats in one Canadian survey showed Salmonella in up to 51% of samples.
Raw pet food is the riskiest category by a wide margin. Commercial raw diets have shown Salmonella rates around 33% to 44% in various studies, and homemade raw diets have tested as high as 80%. This matters not just for your pet but for you. Salmonella-contaminated pet food is a public health concern because handling it, cleaning bowls, or contact with a pet’s saliva can transmit the bacteria to people. A major recall of Mid America Pet Food products (including Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds, and Member’s Mark brands) happened after Salmonella from dry dog food was genetically matched to infections in seven people.
Chemical Contaminants and Heavy Metals
Aflatoxins are among the most dangerous chemical contaminants in pet food. These toxins are produced by mold that grows on grains and peanuts, and they can cause liver failure in dogs and cats at high enough levels. The FDA sets action levels for aflatoxins in animal feed. For pet food and feed intended for species without a specific guideline, the limit is 20 parts per billion. Products exceeding that threshold are subject to legal action and removal from the market. Blending contaminated food with clean food to dilute the concentration is explicitly prohibited.
Heavy metals are another concern, particularly in fish-based ingredients. Testing of fish meal, a common protein source in pet food, has found detectable levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, and other metals. Lead concentrations in fish meal measured around 26 mg/kg in one study. Mercury levels in fish meal and fish oil, however, were below detection limits in the same analysis. Interestingly, pork fat contained higher concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and antimony than fish oil or poultry fat, which means fish-based foods aren’t necessarily the biggest concern for every contaminant.
These findings don’t mean your pet’s food is poisonous. Trace metals exist in virtually all foods, including human foods. What matters is whether concentrations are high enough to cause harm over time, and that depends on the specific ingredient mix, sourcing, and quality control of each product.
The Grain-Free and Heart Disease Question
Since 2018, the FDA has been investigating a potential link between certain diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, a serious condition where the heart muscle weakens and the heart enlarges. The investigation focused on foods labeled “grain-free” that substitute grains with peas, lentils, other legumes, or potatoes as main ingredients. More than 90% of the products reported in DCM cases were grain-free, and 93% contained peas or lentils.
The leading theory involved taurine, an amino acid critical for heart function. Dogs can normally produce their own taurine from other amino acids, so it isn’t considered essential in their diet. But Golden Retrievers appear genetically predisposed to taurine deficiency, and many DCM cases in that breed have involved low taurine levels. Researchers suspected that legume-heavy diets might interfere with taurine production or absorption.
Here’s what complicates the picture: when the FDA tested grain-free and grain-containing products side by side, the average protein, fat, taurine, and relevant amino acid levels were similar in both types. No clear nutritional abnormality has been identified in the foods themselves. The FDA is still investigating whether taurine metabolism, meaning how dogs absorb and excrete taurine rather than how much is in the food, plays a role. No definitive conclusion has been reached, but many veterinarians have encouraged dog owners to choose grain-inclusive diets when there’s no medical reason to avoid grains.
How to Store and Handle Pet Food Safely
How you handle pet food at home matters as much as what’s in the bag. Store dry food and unopened cans in a cool, dry place below 80°F. Heat and moisture break down nutrients and can encourage bacterial growth or mold.
If you transfer dry kibble to a storage container, put the entire bag inside the container rather than pouring the food directly in. The original bag has a protective lining and preserves freshness better than bare plastic. If you do pour it out, use a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid, and wash the container thoroughly between bags. Residual fat and crumbs left on container walls can go rancid and contaminate fresh food.
Opened canned or pouched food should be refrigerated immediately at 40°F or below, or thrown out. Wash and dry your pet’s food bowls after every use, along with any scoops or measuring cups. These utensils should be dedicated to pet food only. This is especially important if you feed raw diets, where Salmonella and other pathogens are far more likely to be present, but it applies to all types of pet food.
Choosing Safer Options
A few practical steps reduce your risk significantly. Look for the “complete and balanced” statement on the label, which confirms the food meets established nutrient standards. Choose products from manufacturers with consistent quality control records. You can check the FDA’s recall database for any brand you’re considering.
Cooked and canned foods carry the lowest pathogen risk. If you feed dry kibble, buy from reputable brands and store it properly. If you feed raw diets, understand that you’re accepting a substantially higher risk of bacterial contamination for both your pet and your household, particularly for young children, elderly family members, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
For dogs, sticking with grain-inclusive formulas is a reasonable precaution until the DCM investigation reaches a clearer conclusion, unless your veterinarian has identified a specific grain allergy or intolerance. Most dogs do perfectly well with grains, and the potential heart health risk, however uncertain, tips the balance for many owners.