A rapid and low-cost method for determination of total mercury (THg) in cat food was developed based on photochemical vapor generation (PVG) coupled to cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Cat food samples with ingredients based on tuna fish and other seafood were investigated. Organic acid precursor and concentration for radical generation and Hg photoreduction, sample UV irradiation time, and carrier gas flow were optimized. Highest PVG efficiency was achieved using 10% v v⁻¹ formic acid, 4-s UV irradiation time, and a carrier gas flow of 50 mL min⁻¹. The calibration function presented a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Accuracy was confirmed by analysis of Certified Reference Materials with recoveries of 93–110% and relative standard deviation lower than 6%. Under optimized conditions, a procedural detection limit of 0.28 μg kg⁻¹ was obtained. Determination of THg in 10 samples of cat food purchased in local markets revealed a concentration range of 0.035–0.388 mg kg⁻¹. Highest concentrations were found in cat foods. Only one sample presented a concentration close to the regulatory limit of the European Commission Directive. Assuming the estimated daily food intake (EDI) calculated in a range of 0.0021 to 0.023 mg of THg per day per kg body weight, it is concluded that it remains below that considered lethal for cats. The methodology is efficient, simple, low cost, and fit for purpose.

基于光化学气相产生（PVG）和冷蒸气原子吸收光谱法（CVAAS），开发了一种快速低成本的猫食品中总汞（THg）测定方法。研究了以金枪鱼和其他海鲜为原料的猫食样品。优化了有机酸前体和自由基生成和汞光还原的浓度，样品紫外线照射时间以及载气流量。使用10％vv ^-1甲酸，4-s UV照射时间和50 mL min ^-1的载气流量可实现最高的PVG效率。校准函数的相关系数为0.99。经认证的参考物质的分析证实了准确性，回收率在93–110％之间，相对标准偏差低于6％。在最佳条件下，程序检测极限为0.28μgkg ^-1。对在当地市场上购买的10个猫食样品中的THg进行测定，发现其浓度范围为0.035–0.388 mg kg ^-1。在猫粮中发现最高的浓度。只有一个样品的浓度接近欧盟委员会指令的监管限值。假设估计的每日食物摄入量（EDI）为每天每公斤体重0.0021至0.023 mg THg，则得出结论，该摄入量仍低于猫的致死量。该方法高效，简单，成本低廉且适合目的。