Storage Mites in Dog Food: What You Need to Know

Storage mites in dog food can be a concern for pet owners, but understanding the facts can help alleviate worries. Some dog food manufacturers have been found to contain storage mites, also known as Acarus siro.

Storage mites are tiny insects that can infest dog food, especially if it's stored improperly. They thrive in environments with high humidity and temperatures between 60-80°F.

The presence of storage mites in dog food can cause allergic reactions in some dogs, leading to skin issues and itching. In severe cases, it can also trigger respiratory problems.

The good news is that storage mites are relatively easy to eliminate from dog food, and most manufacturers are taking steps to prevent infestations.

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Storage mites are a known cause of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

These microscopic arthropods are attracted to dry foods, grains, and cereals, making dry dog food especially appealing to them.

Storage mites can tolerate exposure to heat and cold, although they can't tolerate temperatures below -18°C.

Freezing dry dog food for a minimum of five hours before feeding can help reduce the risk of storage mite exposure.

Storage mites can be difficult to eradicate from dry dog food once infested, and their faeces can still cause an allergic reaction even after freezing.

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Storage mites in dog food can be a real nuisance, and it's essential to understand where they come from. Storage mites grow when dry grains, flour, seeds, and pet food are stored for long periods of time.

Dry food packaging and storage containers are common places in homes where storage mites can harbor large bugs. Pantry dishes and flour dishes are also prone to infestations.

Storage mites especially like to live in small crevices with spilt or leftover dried food. This can lead to a buildup of dirt, dust, and other debris over time.

Bedding, upholstery, carpets, and soft toys near storage areas can get dirty over time, making them a haven for storage mites.

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If your dog is allergic to storage mites, you might notice them coughing. Storage mites can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms in dogs.

Some common signs include sneezing, a runny nose, and inflamed eyes that are red, itchy, and watery.

Pets with storage mite allergies may also experience digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite.

Paying attention to any changes in your dog's behaviour or physiology can help identify potential food allergies early.

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Removing infested food containers or bedding is crucial to avoid exposure to storage mites.

Total avoidance and environmental preventive measures are key to managing storage mite allergy in pets.

A specially prescribed low-particle diet can significantly improve chronic symptoms in affected pets.

With continued monitoring and preventative measures, pets can enjoy a better quality of life.

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Storage mites can be a major culprit behind your dog's allergic reactions. Treatment focuses on total avoidance and environmental preventive measures.

First and foremost, any infested food containers or bedding should be replaced. This is crucial in preventing the mites from spreading and causing further discomfort to your dog.

To manage chronic symptoms, dietary management plays a significant role. This involves switching to a specially prescribed low-particle diet.

A study conducted in 2008 found that even premium brands of dry dog food can become infested with storage mites, especially after being opened for five weeks. This highlights the importance of choosing a grain-free wet food diet or a grain and cereal-free dry food.

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Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

By following these tips and consulting with your vet, you can help your dog live a better quality of life and reduce the severity of their allergic reactions.

Feeding a dog with allergies can be challenging, but it's not impossible.

Some common signs of a storage mite allergy include coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. These symptoms can be caused by food storage mites, so it's essential to pay attention to any changes in your dog's behavior or physical health.

If your dog has a storage mite allergy, you'll want to switch to hypoallergenic kibble as their main source of nutrition. This type of food is specifically designed to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

In addition to hypoallergenic kibble, you can also feed your dog lean protein like chicken or turkey. This can be served in moderation, about 1/2 cup per meal.

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Cooked vegetables like carrots and green beans are also a great option for dogs with allergies. You can serve them in small portions, about 1/4 cup per meal.

Limited ingredient treats can be a nice reward for your dog, but be sure to use them sparingly. Fresh fruits like apple slices and blueberries can also be given as an occasional treat.

Here's a summary of the food items you can feed your dog with a storage mite allergy:

Remember to always monitor your dog's behavior and physical health, and adjust their diet as needed to ensure they're thriving.

Commercial dry pet foods should be kept indoors and sealed to decrease the risk of contamination with storage mites.

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, recurrent pruritic allergic skin disease of dogs, often associated with the production of IgE specific for environmental and/or food allergens.

Storage mite contamination might lead to an erroneous diagnosis of food allergy in HDM-sensitized dogs.

If you suspect storage mite contamination, performing food challenges with single home-cooked ingredients is a good idea.

Dogs with high levels of Dermatophagoides farinae HDM-specific IgE are likely to have a flare of clinical signs if eating a food item contaminated with storage mites.

Laboratory studies have shown that storage mites can survive and grow on commercial dry dog food, with highest numbers found when molds have been allowed to grow on the kibble.

In one study, Tyrophagus putrescentiae storage mites were found to infest and proliferate 55% of dog food samples stored in sealed plastic bags, entering the bags via faulty seals.

Storage mites grew best on dog foods richer in proteins and fat, and preferred to grow on green and brown rather than white and red colored kibbles.

Field studies have also investigated the presence of storage mites in commercial dog food, with one study finding no mites in 30 purchased and 50 pet owner-obtained samples tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Laboratory studies have shown that certain types of mites can thrive on dry dog food.

In 1972, researchers first reported on the survival and multiplication of mites on dry dog foods. They found that Dermatophagoides farinae mites flourished on all four commercial dog foods tested.

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Tyrophagus putrescentiae mites, on the other hand, have been shown to grow on all three commercial dry dog foods tested in 2010. The highest numbers of mites were found when molds had been allowed to grow on the kibbles.

Mites can even infest sealed plastic bags containing dog food. In 2015, researchers found that 55% of sealed plastic bags containing dog food were contaminated with Tyrophagus putrescentiae mites after just three months.

The mites had not made holes in the packaging itself but had entered the bags via faulty seals. Lidded cups, however, were not contaminated.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae mites prefer to grow on protein- and fat-rich diets. In 2015, researchers found that mites adapted to these diets grew best on dog food richer in proteins and fat.

Crushed dog food is also a more conducive environment for mite growth. In 2016, researchers found that mites grew better on crushed dog food than on intact kibbles.

The initial mite population density also plays a significant role in mite growth. In 2016, researchers found that mites grew faster and in higher numbers when the initial population density was higher.

Different strains of Tyrophagus mites also grow better on crushed dog food. In 2016, researchers found that four different strains of Tyrophagus mites grew better on crushed dog food than on a commercial mite diet.

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Field studies have provided valuable insights into the presence of storage mites in commercial dry dog food.

In one study, 30 purchased and 50 pet owner-obtained commercial dry dog food samples were tested for HDM, and all were negative.

23 bags of commercial dry dog foods were tested for mite contamination by microscopy, and no storage mites were discovered despite being opened and closed twice daily for 6 weeks.

Storage mites were first reported to be influenced by different storage conditions in 2008, when dry dog food bags were stored in either laboratory storage or a ventilated garage.

More mites were detected in the bags stored in high temperature and humidity conditions, highlighting the importance of proper storage.

In 2011, identical bags of a single commercial dry dog food were stored in 10 different households, and after 3 months, mite numbers were significantly higher in the food samples stored in paper bags.

60% of the paper bags had evidence of mites, compared to the original sack with its reusable seal and a plastic box with a sealed lid.

In a last field study, dog owners in eastern Australia provided 20 samples of commercial dry dog foods stored in open bags or storage boxes, and mites were undetectable in any specimens after any of the incubation times.

However, when incubating samples at high temperature and humidity levels, storage mites were present as early as 3 weeks after beginning the experiment and in 78% of foods after 6 weeks of incubation.