Instructions
Check the local telephone directory for testing laboratories. Keep in mind that some of the labs listed may work only with industry and government agencies, so look for labs that provide services to the public. When contacting laboratories, be sure to ask about the cost of the testing. Depending on the lab involved and the complexity of the tests, it could cost more than $100 to have a batch of dog food tested.
Take a sample of the dog food you want to test. It is a good idea to take several small samples instead of just one. For instance, take one sample from the top of the bag and another from the bottom. If you have several bags of dog food at home, be sure to pull a sample from each one. If you use canned food, take samples from different cans.
Work with the lab to determine which tests you want to perform. The lab should be able to test for the presence of toxic chemicals, but you may want to have the dog food tested for nutritional quality, as well. A number of pet food recalls have focused on the absence of key ingredients dogs need to stay healthy.
Wait for the lab results to come in before continuing to feed the food in question to your dogs. If the tests reveal contamination or nutritional deficiencies, contact your state's agriculture department to report the findings.
How to Have Dog Food Tested to See if It's Bad
With so many recalls of pet food products in the news, dog owners might wonder if the food they purchased is safe. Aside from watching the government recall list and purchasing food with the highest quality ingredients, consumers can take additional steps to ensure that the food is safe. One option is to have an independent laboratory test the food.