Screening of Chemical Residues and Antimicrobial Resistance in Dehydrated Chicken Feet Intended as Dog Treats: A Pilot Study

The pet population is steadily increasing worldwide, and treats, which account for approximately 15% of the pet food market, are the fastest-growing segment of the pet food industry. However, the widespread use of antimicrobials in poultry farms may pose a direct risk to pets' health, leading to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. For this reason, we sought to assess the possible presence of drug residues and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in a limited cohort of 11 dehydrated chicken feet intended as dog treats purchased from the European market. Residues of nicarbazin (64%), 4-4 ' dinitrocarbanilide (64%), semicarbazide (91%), decoquinate (9%), cypermethrin (27%), dichlorvos (9%), pirimiphos-methyl (36%), piperonyl butoxide (18%), toltrazuril sulfone (9%), doxycycline (9%), lasalocid A (9%), monensin A (9%), and 37 bacterial strains belonging to the Staphylococcus genus (S. warneri, S. haemolyticus, S. pasteuri, and S. intermedius) were detected among all samples. S. warneri species was resistant to oxacillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, teicoplanin, and tetracycline (25%, 25%, 37.5%, 6.25%, and 6.25%, respectively), S. haemolyticus was also resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, teicoplanin, and tetracycline (52.9%, 11.7%, 29.4%, and 35.2%, respectively), while S. pasteuri was resistant to both oxacillin and clindamycin (66.6% and 33.3%, respectively). No resistance was detected for S. intermedius. The detection of multiple residues further suggests the possibility of cumulative or synergistic toxic effects, especially with prolonged intake. In this sense, a One Health approach to mitigate risks associated with antimicrobial resistance and chemical exposure in pets and, in turn, in humans becomes mandatory.