Quality Assurance of Commercial Dog Food in Terms of Proximate and Aflatoxins Analysis

The domestication of the dog has been extensive and continues to grow, predominantly in terms of their dietary habits. Primarily, wild dogs depended exclusively on hunting for their food, but with the passage of time and domestication, they started consuming meals provided by humans. Objective: To evaluate the quality of dry dog food, focusing particularly on evaluating its aflatoxin contamination and proximate analysis comparable to established nutritional standards for dogs. Methods: This experimental research was conducted at the Food Department within the PCSIR Laboratories Complex in Lahore, Pakistan. The sample was chosen purposively to check the quality of pet dog food. The analysis included determining the moisture content, ash, crude fiber, and crude protein levels of the dog food using standardized methods. Results: The purchased dog food exhibited a protein content of 20.64 ± 0.40% and a calculated energy value of 376.50 ± 0.25 Kcal/100g. The results were evaluated against the nutrient benchmarks established by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). The minimum protein level in adult dog food, calculated on a dry matter basis, must be no less than 18% according to AAFCO guidelines. Conclusion: Conspicuously, the analysis depicted that aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) were not present in the dog food, confirming its safe consumption by dogs based on the aflatoxin assessment. So, it was revealed that according to nutritional and aflatoxin analysis of dog food obtained from the market, it was for the dog’s health.