Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus that can grow on pet food ingredients such as corn, peanuts, and other grains. At high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness (aflatoxicosis), liver damage, and death in pets. The toxins can be present even if there is no visible mold on the pet food.

Pets that eat food containing unsafe levels of aflatoxins can develop aflatoxin poisoning. Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same food continuously over extended periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxins, the toxins could accumulate in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food. Aflatoxin poisoning can also occur if a pet eats moldy corn, grains, peanuts, or other aflatoxin contaminated food. 

Pets suffering from aflatoxin poisoning may experience signs such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea. In some cases, aflatoxins can affect blood clotting and cause long-term liver problems and/or death. Some pets may suffer liver damage without showing any signs in the early stages of aflatoxin poisoning and if they continue eating contaminated food, they may die suddenly. Pet owners who suspect their pets have been eating products contaminated with aflatoxins should contact their veterinarians and immediately stop feeding the suspected food, especially if the pets are showing signs of illness. 

If you suspect your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning, take him/her to a veterinarian immediately.

Only a veterinarian can diagnose aflatoxin poisoning. Usually, the veterinarian evaluates the pet’s signs, asks about what food the pet has been eating and what the pet might have been exposed to, and they might run some tests to check a pet’s liver health. Because the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning are nonspecific and could point to multiple toxins, a veterinarian may recommend having pet food samples analyzed to determine if aflatoxins are present. For deceased pets, tissue samples can be analyzed for aflatoxins and other toxins. Depending on the results of a veterinarian’s examination, they will determine the best course of action.

Treatment will depend on a veterinarian’s assessment of each case. There is no antidote for aflatoxins, so the aim of treatment is usually to remove the source of aflatoxins to prevent additional exposure (e.g., stop the feeding of contaminated pet food), to provide supportive care management of the specific blood and biochemical imbalances in the pet’s system. Extremely severe or rapid-onset cases of aflatoxin poisoning may progress so quickly that the pet dies before receiving any treatment. Pets exposed to non-lethal doses of aflatoxin may survive, but can have long-term health problems, such as liver injury.

There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxins are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food and treats.

If your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea, contact a veterinarian immediately. If your pet passes away prior to seeing a veterinarian and you suspect possible aflatoxin exposure, contact your veterinarian to discuss whether an autopsy (necropsy) may be appropriate to determine the cause of death.

Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian, including what food or pet treats, you (or other household members) give the pet, and what other food or items the pet might have been exposed to. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number and best-by date. If your veterinarian suspects the food is the source of aflatoxins, having the lot code and best-by date helps FDA identify exactly when the contamination occurred and what other products might also be affected. This can help prevent other pets from getting sick. Don’t feed the products to your pets or any other animals.

Pet owners can report suspected illness to FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you work with your veterinarian to submit a pet’s medical records as part of the report.

It’s also helpful if you save the food in its original package, in case it’s needed for testing. If testing is not needed, contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or throw the products away in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.

If your pet is otherwise healthy, but you are still concerned about potential aflatoxin contamination in your pet’s food, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet, especially if your pet has other health conditions that require a specialized or restricted or diet.

In any pets presenting with signs of acute liver failure suspected to be linked to a toxin, veterinarians should consider aflatoxin poisoning as one of the possible causes. Ruling out other causes can provide additional support for a diagnosis of aflatoxicosis. If a patient you are treating for suspected aflatoxicosis dies or is euthanized, a necropsy may be useful in identifying pathologic changes consistent with hepatotoxicity.

FDA encourages veterinarians treating suspected aflatoxicosis to ask clients for a detailed diet history. If you suspect that the pet food is the source of the aflatoxins, we welcome case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. Please ask the owner not to feed the product to their pet or any other animals and to store the leftover food in its original packaging in a safe place. Product photos, purchase receipts and lot information are vital information to include in case reports to FDA.

Reports to FDA can be submitted through the online Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For submissions through the Safety Reporting Portal, when asked “Who are you?” please select, “A private citizen/business submitting a voluntary report,” on the selection screen in order to guide you through a veterinary submission.

In select cases, a representative from FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) may contact you about your report. Vet-LIRN may request medical records or permission to contact the owner for a dietary history and environmental exposure interview. If you have saved any diagnostic samples (e.g. tissue biopsy, whole body for necropsy, or leftover food), Vet-LIRN may request and pay for any tests requested.