Bone Appetit Research Hub
What's really in your pet's food?
Independent research. Peer-reviewed science.
Zero spin. We collate the evidence so you can make
informed decisions about what goes in the bowl.
Independent research. Peer-reviewed science.
Zero spin. We collate the evidence so you can make
informed decisions about what goes in the bowl.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found dangerous levels of heavy metals in commercial pet food — at concentrations far exceeding what's considered safe for humans.
Multiplier above human food baseline (1×)
Source: Clean Label Project, Dog Food Category Report (Feb 2026) - 79 products, 11,376 individual tests via Ellipse Analytics (accredited laboratory). US-based study.
Heavy metals accumulate in a dog's liver and kidneys over their lifetime. Unlike humans who eat varied diets, most pets eat the same food every single day - amplifying even low-level contamination.
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer. While direct causation from food contaminants hasn't been proven in dogs specifically, the link between chronic heavy metal exposure and cancer is well-established in toxicology.
Every food product on our marketplace is screened for heavy metals using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) through our accredited partner Eurofins Food Testing. Results are published on each product page.
Cornell University found glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup, classified as a 'probable carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer — in 100% of commercial pet foods tested.
Parts per billion (ppb) — diet is the primary exposure route in companion animals
Sources: Health Research Institute animal exposure study; Zhao et al. (2018), Environmental Pollution (Cornell University); Karthikraj & Kannan (2019), Science of the Total Environment.
Dogs fed raw food had virtually no detectable glyphosate. Grain-free kibble had the highest levels — likely because oats, pea protein, and lentils are frequently sprayed with glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant.
Glyphosate levels in dogs are estimated at 32 times the human average. No pet-specific safety limits exist — and dogs eat the same food every day for their entire lives.
Our testing programme includes LC-MS/MS screening for glyphosate and 200+ pesticide residues. Products with elevated levels are flagged and not listed until the brand addresses the issue.
Australia is one of the only developed nations with no mandatory pet food safety standards. The burden of verification falls entirely on brands and consumers.
| Country / Region | Mandatory Standards | Enforcement | Framework |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU (FEDIAF) | Yes | Member states | Regulation 767/2009 |
| UK (PFMA) | Yes | Local authorities | PFMA / FEDIAF |
| USA (FDA) | Partial | Case-by-case | AAFCO Model |
| Australia | No | None | AS 5812 (voluntary) |
BoneAppetit's independent testing programme — what we screen for, who does the testing, and why it matters for your pet.
