## 1 Introduction  
In recent years, veterinary services have demonstrated a positive impact on animal population demographics, health, and the overall well-being of pets, potentially affecting human welfare [1]. It can be said that pets hold a significant place in the lives of people who regard their pets as \"members of the family\" [2; 3; 4]. The increase in the pet population has contributed to substantial growth in the pet food industry, driven by an increasing demand for premium and nutritious options to meet the dietary requirements of canine companions. Canned dog foods, characterized by their palatability, moisture content, and convenience, have gained considerable popularity among pet caregivers seeking the optimal nutrition for their pets. Although canned foods are the most expensive model of dog nutrition in terms of maintenance per day and per 1000 kcal of metabolizable energy [5], they offer a compromise for those seeking less processed nutrition (compared to extruded food) for their dogs. Canned dog foods provide an alternative between the time-consuming preparation of homemade wet meals by the caregiver and commercially processed dry food. To ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of these moist formulations, a rigorous evaluation of their microbial quality and nutrient profiles is imperative. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in pet food can pose a substantial health risk to dogs and potentially impact public health [6; 7; 8]. Therefore, a thorough assessment of the microbiological quality of canned pet food is vital to maintaining the well-being of canine companions. This is particularly noteworthy considering that, dog food, even in its raw form, undergoes no additional thermal processing before serving, unlike human ready-to-cook food, which is subject to thermal processing that has the potential to eliminate any pathogens present in the product [9]. Microbial contamination is a potential concern in pet food, and it can manifest at multiple stages, spanning from the acquisition of raw materials to processing, packaging, and storage. Furthermore, the final handling of pet food before consumption is recognized as a critical hazard, making consumers, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers jointly responsible for safeguarding the nutritional integrity and safety of these food products [10; 11]. Microorganisms such as _Salmonella_ spp., _Escherichia coli_, _Campylobacter_ spp., and _Listeria monocytogenes_ are of particular concern, as they have the potential to cause severe infections in both animals and humans [7; 12; 13; 14]. _Salmonella_ is the most important biological risk in animal nutrition, and there have been several reported instances of _Salmonella_ contamination in pet food and treats in recent years [6; 8; 15; 16; 17]. Reports indicate that pet food may harbor additional microbial pathogens, including _Listeria_, _Enterobacteriaceae_, and _Campylobacter_[13; 18; 19; 20; 21]. Dogs can become carriers of these pathogens, leading to zoonotic transmission [22], underscoring the significance of the regular monitoring and evaluation of canned pet food. Moreover, the presence of spoilage microorganisms in canned pet food can result in the degradation of its nutritional value, taste, and texture. Bacterial species, such as _Pseudomonas_, _Enterobacter_, and _Clostidium_, are known to contribute to food spoilage by producing enzymes, toxins, and off-odors [23; 24; 25]. The growth of these spoilage organisms is influenced by factors like water activity, pH, temperature, and packaging conditions [26; 27]. Good microbiological quality of foods can be particularly important among groups of animals with reduced immunity. Among dogs, for example, these may include sick animals and canine seniors, but also puppies. Thus, the microbiological composition of the food, which includes the presence of potential pathogens or microorganisms causing food spoilage, determines the product's quality and its shelf life.