Researchers ID link between fish-flavored cat food and thyroid disease

Cats love fish, but a new study suggests their beloved flavor may be contributing to the rising rate of feline hyperthyroidism. Researchers in Japan have released a study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology suggesting that pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which occur naturally in fish, are being passed along to cats in their food and may be contributing to the thyroid disorder. The scientists took blood samples from cats, and found high levels of PCBs and PDBs, which they determined would be more likely to come from fish-flavored food than from other environmental exposures. They also built simulations to determine how the feline body reacts to PCBs and PBDs, so they can better determine how the chemicals affect thyroid function. Release

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