Understanding Aflatoxins in Dog Food and Their Risks

Aflatoxins in dog food are a type of toxin produced by certain molds, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

These molds can grow on grains, nuts, and seeds, which are common ingredients in dog food.

Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic and commonly found aflatoxin in dog food.

It's estimated that up to 25% of dog food may contain aflatoxins, with the highest levels found in dry dog food.

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi that naturally contaminate agricultural crops. These toxins can be found in a wide variety of crops, including maize, peanuts, and tree nuts.

Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin produced by certain fungi, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world.

The production of mycotoxins depends on physical, chemical, and biological factors, including moisture, temperature, and the presence of insects. Factors such as agronomic practices, the composition of the commodity, and storage conditions can also influence the amount of toxin produced.

Fungi can contaminate crops in the field, at harvest, and during storage, making mycotoxins a ubiquitous problem in food and animal feed ingredients.

Mycotoxins are a type of toxin produced by fungi that can contaminate agricultural crops.

Aflatoxins are a specific type of mycotoxin, produced by fungi like Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

These fungi are commonly found in warm and humid regions of the world.

Aflatoxin-producing fungi can contaminate crops in the field, at harvest, and during storage.

Crops like maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination.

Aflatoxins are a serious concern for food safety and human health.

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi that naturally contaminate agricultural crops, and there are several types beyond aflatoxin. Fungi are a normal part of the microflora of standing crops and stored feeds, but the production of mycotoxins depends on various factors.

The amount of toxin produced will depend on physical factors like moisture, temperature, and mechanical damage, as well as chemical factors like carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pesticide use. These factors can vary greatly from one crop to another.

Some examples of other mycotoxins include those produced by Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium fungi. These fungi can contaminate a wide range of agricultural products, including grains, nuts, and seeds.

The FDA has issued alerts and recalls on dry pet food brands that contain high levels of aflatoxin, but other mycotoxins, like those produced by Fusarium, can also be a concern for pet owners. This is especially true for pets fed a "mono diet" of dry food exclusively.

Here are some examples of other mycotoxins and the fungi that produce them:

It's worth noting that human and pet health defenses are built to handle various amounts of toxins and other contaminants, but individual tolerance levels can vary greatly.

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs can be quite alarming. Dogs who eat 0.5 to 1 mg aflatoxin per kg of body weight can die within days.

Weight loss and lethargy are common symptoms, often accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellow eyes, gums, or skin). Unexplained bruising or bleeding can also occur.

Aflatoxin poisoning can cause death, so if you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, get to your vet right away. It's essential to act quickly, as the poison can cause liver damage and even cancer.

Dogs are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because they tend to eat the same food repeatedly. This can lead to cumulative liver damage or cancerous tumors over time.

Here are some common symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning:

Aflatoxins are also carcinogenic, binding with DNA and causing cell mutations. In fact, studies have shown that even small amounts of aflatoxin can cause malignant tumors in animals.

If you've learned about aflatoxin and why it's so dangerous, you can take steps to protect your dog from this deadly poison. Aflatoxin can kill your dog in two ways: acute poisoning and chronic poisoning.

Dogs are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because they tend to eat the same food, meal after meal, day after day, for a lifetime. This makes them more prone to aflatoxin poisoning.

Here are three things you can do right now to protect your dog from aflatoxin:

Dog food is not immune to contamination, and mycotoxins are a significant concern. Aflatoxins, in particular, are a potent carcinogen that can grow on grains like corn, wheat, and rice, as well as nuts and legumes.

Mold-infested crops have become a major issue in the US Midwest, with droughts causing a record amount of mold-infested crops worth nearly $75 million in insurance claims. As a result, the FDA increased the allowable amount of aflatoxin permitted in animal feed.

Some pet food brands have acknowledged the risk, with AvoDerm removing corn from its formula after suspecting it was the source of aflatoxins. However, testing shows that nearly every pet food on the market contains aflatoxins or other mold-related mycotoxins.

Take a look at this: Is Corn in Dog Food Good for Dogs

If you're concerned about aflatoxins in dog food, you might be wondering how to get dog food that's safe for your furry friend. To start, look for dog food brands that use whole grains, such as oats or barley, instead of corn, which is a major source of aflatoxin.

Aflatoxins can grow on grains like corn, wheat, and rice, as well as nuts and legumes, due to poor growing conditions or substandard storage. This means that even high-temperature processing can't destroy them, leaving little protection for your dog.

Some dog food brands, like AvoDerm, have removed corn from their formulas, which is a good sign. They believed that corn was the source of the aflatoxins, and they're taking steps to ensure their food is safer.

If you're not sure what to look for, check the ingredients list. Grains that are less likely to be contaminated with aflatoxins are a good choice.

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Corn is not the only ingredient at risk for mycotoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is also a primary risk for rice and other maize ingredients in pet foods. This fungus is monitored in grains, soybeans, rice, cereals, oats, and select spices that are commonly used in pet food products.

Aspergillus mold can grow on just about any food crop, including wheat, rice, millet, and dozens of others. This means that many pet food ingredients are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination.

Larger, multi-national pet food companies tend to have the resources needed to routinely test for contaminants. This is probably why there have been zero aflatoxin-related recalls from major brands since 2009.

The pet food industry has a history of recalls due to aflatoxin contamination, with one of the earliest documented outbreaks happening in 1974 in India where hundreds of stray dogs died after eating aflatoxin-contaminated corn.

In 1998, 55 dogs died from eating contaminated corn, and in December 2005, over 100 dogs were killed from aflatoxin-contaminated pet food in the US. According to Cornell University, about two-thirds of dogs who ate the tainted foods died.

The FDA issued warnings about potentially fatal levels of aflatoxins in several foods made by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. in December 2020, which caused at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses in dogs.

Sunshine Mills recalled some pet foods in September 2020 after a sample was found to contain an unsafe level of aflatoxins.

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Aflatoxins in dog food are a serious concern, and understanding their danger is crucial to keeping your furry friend safe. Aflatoxin is invisible, making it impossible to detect with the naked eye or even a high-power microscope.

Aflatoxin is extremely resistant to heat, which means it can't be cooked out of dog food. This is why even pasteurization, a process required by law for canned dog foods, can't eliminate aflatoxin. The same goes for high heat methods used in making dry dog food.

Aflatoxin can cause severe health problems in dogs, including liver damage, coagulopathy, and impaired protein synthesis. In acute outbreaks, deaths can occur after a short period of inappetence, followed by vomiting, depression, hemorrhage, and icterus. Subacute outbreaks can lead to unthriftiness, weakness, anorexia, reduced growth, and feed efficiency, as well as occasional sudden deaths.

To put it simply, aflatoxin is a silent killer that can't be seen or eliminated through cooking. It's a serious threat to your dog's health, and it's essential to take steps to prevent exposure.

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Mycotoxins can remain active in dog food for a long time because they resist decomposition and are broken down in digestion.

They can stay in the food chain mainly through corn, grains, cereals, and even in meat and dairy products.

Even temperature treatments, such as cooking and freezing, do not destroy the mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins don't always cause severe illness, but there are signs that can lead up to hazardous levels.

Aflatoxin is invisible, which means you can't see it, even with a high-power microscope.

This makes it difficult to detect, and it can be present in food even when there's no visible sign of mold on the surface.

Aflatoxin has the potential to be FAR more dangerous than almost any other dog food contaminant.

Aflatoxin is so resistant to heat that it even survives the germ-killing process of pasteurization, a process required by law when making canned dog foods.

Cooking and freezing, which are common methods for treating food, do not destroy mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins resist decomposition and are broken down in digestion, so they can remain in the food chain mainly through corn, grains, cereals, and even in meat and dairy products.

You can't cook it out of dog food, and high heat methods used for making dry dog food are also ineffective against aflatoxin.

Contaminated feeds can be avoided by monitoring batches for aflatoxin content.

To do this, you need to keep an eye on local crop conditions, such as drought and insect infestations, which can lead to aflatoxin formation.

By monitoring these conditions, you can take steps to prevent contaminated feeds from entering the food chain.

Supporting adequate liver function and providing a quality diet is also crucial for animal health.

A quality diet should include the right balance of protein, vitamins, and trace minerals to aid recovery from aflatoxin exposure.

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If you suspect that your animals have been exposed to aflatoxins, stop feeding them contaminated feed immediately.

No specific antidote for aflatoxins is available, so prompt action is essential.

To aid recovery, provide your animals with a quality diet and support their hepatic function, as well as antimicrobial therapy for infectious processes and improved biosecurity.

Here are some products that can help reduce aflatoxin absorption from the GI tract: