How to identify and avoid food mites in pet food
A very common type of mite is the so-called feed mite, which can even trigger allergies and can therefore be a real pain for dogs and cats.
In the following, we explain where food mites come from, how to recognise them and what preventive measures you can take to protect your pet from these tiny pests.
Where do food mites come from?
Fodder mites are a type of mite. Therefore they belong to the group of arachnids. In terms of appearance and size they are very similar to the much better known house dust mites.
Storage mites, as fodder mites are sometimes also called, are very common in our environment. They can be found in house dust and on furniture.
However, they feel especially comfortable in a nutrient-rich environment. They find these not only in the human larder, but also in dry food for cats and dogs, for example.
Temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and a high humidity of 70 percent and more are the ideal living conditions for food mites and lead accordingly to a particularly rapid reproduction of the small parasites.
Since feed mites are extremely resistant, they can survive without major problems even at lower temperatures.
Causes of feed mites in animal feed
Feed mites can get into your dog's or cat's food in a variety of ways. For example, pet food may be contaminated with them at the manufacturer.
Inadequate hygiene measures can lead to subsequent contamination of the end product.
Dry food in particular is often left open for long periods of time, providing the ideal conditions for feed mites to nest in.
How to recognise feed mites in pet food
Feed mites only reach a size of about 300 µm. Individually they are therefore practically invisible to the human eye. Once they have reproduced, however, they can be easily identified by the brownish mite dust in the packaging and on the individual croquettes.
In addition, feed contaminated with feed mites usually has a minty smell. If you notice these things, you should dispose of the food and replace it with a fresh package.
Feed mites can cause allergies
Storage mites can trigger a so-called feed mite allergy in your quadruped. The responsible allergens are on the one hand in the mites themselves and on the other hand in certain protein compounds in their excrements.
If your pet suffers from a food mite allergy, this is particularly noticeable through severe itching and skin inflammation. Since affected dogs and cats usually scratch themselves excessively, skin injuries inevitably add to the symptoms over time.
Only a veterinarian can answer the question whether a food mite allergy is actually present. To make a diagnosis, the vet can carry out a blood test or a skin test with the suspected allergen.
How we protect our production from feed mites
At Marsapet, we attach the utmost importance to high-quality products whose quality leaves nothing to be desired by our customers. Accordingly, as with both dog food from Bellfor and cat food from I love my cat, we ensure that there is no contamination with feed mites during production.
Our employees follow very strict hygiene regulations and the finished products are packaged promptly so that infestation with feed mites can be ruled out.
How you can avoid food mites in pet food
As you can see, feed mites are a serious problem that can have unpleasant consequences for your pet in the form of a feed mite allergy. It is therefore very important to prevent the spread of feed mites right from the start.
The following measures will help you to keep your pet's food free of mites:
- Animal feed should not be stored together with food for humans.
- Opened food should always be sealed airtight.
- Used reusable packaging as well as measuring cups and measuring spoons must be rinsed hot regularly.
- Pet food should be stored in a dry and cool place.
- Opened dry food should be consumed promptly.
- Expired pet food is no longer suitable for consumption
Our conclusion on the subject of feed mites
Although underestimated by many animal owners, fodder mites are widespread and can occur in any household. Given that they can even cause allergic reactions, appropriate preventive measures are very important.
In addition, we recommend that when buying pet food you give preference to high-quality products from quality-conscious manufacturers such as Marsapet. Because this not only helps to avoid feed mites, but also ensures that the food is appropriate for the species.
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