Nutrition

Why Your Pet and Microplastics Are a Bad Match

What Are Microplastics, and Why Are They Dangerous?

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Microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastics, industrial processes, and even everyday items like plastic bottles and food packaging. They’re now widely found in our air, water, and the food we eat. Research has detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even the placenta—meaning they’re circulating inside us with unknown long-term effects (Leslie et al., 2022).

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Scientists are still uncovering the full impact of microplastics on human and animal health, but the evidence so far is alarming.

How Do Microplastics Harm Health?

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Endocrine Disruption: Many plastics contain chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which interfere with hormones and have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues (Campanale et al., 2020).

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Inflammation & Cellular Damage: Studies show microplastics trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially contributing to chronic diseases, immune dysfunction, and even cancer (Ragusa et al., 2021).

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Toxin Carriers: These plastic particles act like sponges, absorbing toxic pollutants from the environment. Once ingested, they introduce these harmful chemicals into the body, accumulating over time (Smith et al., 2018).

Why Pets Are at Risk, Too

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Just like humans, pets are exposed to microplastics through their food, water, and the air they breathe. Studies have found microplastics in pet food and even in dog feces, showing they are ingesting them regularly (Yan et al., 2021). This exposure could impact their gut health, immune system, and long-term vitality.

References

Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., & Uricchio, V. F. (2020). A detailed review study on potential effects of microplastics and additives of concern on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1212.
Leslie, H. A., van Velzen, M. J., Brandsma, S. H., Vethaak, A. D., Garcia-Vallejo, J. J., & Lamoree, M. H. (2022). Discovery of microplastics in human blood. Environment International, 163, 107199.
Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., … & Giorgini, E. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environment International, 146, 106274.
Smith, M., Love, D. C., Rochman, C. M., & Neff, R. A. (2018). Microplastics in seafood and the implications for human health. Current Environmental Health Reports, 5(3), 375-386.
Yan, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, T., Zhang, F., Ren, H., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Microplastics in the digestive tracts of dogs from urban parks. Science of the Total Environment, 759, 143483.

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