Pet food recall : DANGER !!!

[otter]

Does anyone have any idea of how much of this stuff a cat would have to eat to cause problems. Is one pouch enough??

My cat is always a bit erratic on food, water, urine output so it's soooo hard to gauge if anything is wrong :sad:

[Prin]

As I replied before, best to talk to your vet asap. You can always get a blood test to see if everything is ok.

[gypsy_girl]

Originally Posted by Spirit

Today was kind of a crazy day.



Currently there is a HUGE recall on Go! Natural, but what most people didn't realize (or at least the ones who came into the store today) is that Go!'s head office is in Abbotsford BC, but the plant is in Alberta. The ones recalled were all coming from Texas (from a plant who recalls their foods once every few years). And of course any other food which was made in that specific plant, were also on the recall list (as it is every time).

Currently a GO! recall?

[otter]

Thanks Prin.... message received, just can't talk to my vet 'till Tuesday and a trip to the vet is 3 hours away so.... i'm just panicking in the mean time and wondering if anyone else had maybe talked to vets, pet food people, etc. with any info. (I appreciate your post too, i'm not being snarky )

I'm so disappointed with the lack of info provided by the pet food companies - it's fine to issue a recall but you'd think they might provide you with some idea of what to do if your pet has eaten the bad food!!!!

I just spent the last 2 hours digging through yucky garbage to find the wrapper and unfortunately it is definitely the recalled package, I still had my fingers crossed that maybe the date would be off or something.

[Icy]

I see that Purina contracts out to MENU as well. "Mighty Dog Pouch" in on Menu's list. The list does not say Purina, only, Mighty Dog pouch. What's up with that? You would think that Purina is large enough company that would manufacture all of their own product? I found out about Purina from the FDA page.

My sister-in-law sent the following letter to Nutro.

She does have a point. I am curious to know what you think about this point of view. I am so caught up in my own emotions, I didnt even think of this.

The bottom line for me is: I need to find a company who makes all of their own food. I have 1 dog and 3 cats who are fed "Natural Balance". I just sent them an email asking if they subcontract out and to whom.

I'm so upset with Nutro and the other "quality" pet food companies. My 4 dogs are on Nutro Ultra dry dog food which I assumed was produced by Nutro. I now find out that you contract some (or maybe all) of your products from a producer that supplies 70% of product sold including other top name brands as well as off the shelf mass merchandisers. This has opened my eyes to the fallacy of "high quality" pet food. Never mind that the product I feed my beloved pets isn't on the recall list, it might well be in the future. This is total deceit.

I'll never assume that I'm buying the best for my pets simply because of name reputation again. Your name means nothing if YOU don't make the product. It means nothing if I can purchase the same thing at a lower price at a food store or a mass merchandiser. It means nothing if the quality isn't yours alone.

My sister-inlaws cat died last week from renal failure after feeding Iams recalled product. I hope I never experience her pain with the loss of a pet thru a deceitful
company that subcontracts their products. The thought makes me crazy.
Shame on you and shame on me for believing in you.

I don't trust you any more.

[Spirit]

:sad:

(this message is too short)...

[Prin]

I think the main reason is because in nearly every store, there are representatives there pushing foods, especially Nutro, onto customers. :sad:

[Spirit]

Really?? Not here. I've never seen that. That's pretty sad.

[Prin]

Yes it is. And they're pretty convincing too.

[mummummum]

I don't think there is anything funny in Icy's post Spirit, I think she is very upset. And while I understand your position on holistic food, I don't think this is the time or place to be critical ~ people are struggling with their fears, feelings of guilt and anger. What they need now is support and helpful advice, not derision.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by mummummum

I don't think there is anything funny in Icy's post Spirit, I think she is very upset. And while I understand your position on holistic food, I don't think this is the time or place to be critical ~ people are struggling with their fears, feelings of guilt and anger. What they need now is support and helpful advice, not derision.

Wooooaaaahhh... I TOTALLY misread that post. My SINCERE apologies. I edited after I re-read. I just had a very, VERY long 2 days (dealing with a lot of (over 50) 6-8 week old puppies who've been mistreated and some led to death, as well as this food recall thing at work). Obviously I read the first bit and skimmed over the last part.

I feel horrible... nothing more I can say but sorry for the misread (misreply). :sad:

Guess that means it's bedtime for me. :sad:

[Prin]

Sorry, but just to clarify:

Originally Posted by Icy

I have 1 dog and 3 cats who are fed "Natural Balance".

Do you mean Nutro Natural Choice, or Dick Van Patten Natural Balance?

[coppperbelle]

Originally Posted by Prin

Sorry, but just to clarify:

Do you mean Nutro Natural Choice, or Dick Van Patten Natural Balance?

I too read that and thought the same thing but when I re-read the post I think what she is asking is if Natural Balance also contracts their food out to other companies.

The people at the pet food store I buy my food from told me they are frustrated because they have not been contacted by distributors. They do not sell a lot of the foods on the list but do have some cans of Eukanuba which they have removed off the shelf themselves as a precautionary meausure. This recall happened on a Friday and I guess all the big execs are off for the weekend. Today, I expect we will hear more information.

[chico2]

This is all very scary and frustrating
I am going today to buy cat-food,it will be interesting to see what is on the shelves,what cans to buy???
What company is really making their own food??
I am sooo sorry for anyone with sick animals,it's a pet-owners nightmare:sad:

[kathryn]

I'm worried. It's just the wet food right? I usually feed my cats them Whiskas packets. Are those affected? The only other stuff I buy is 9Lives and Friskies. The other thing is I feed all my cats Purina Kitten chow or regular purina cat food.


I don't know who owns who.

[chico2]

Kathryn,I just read a list provided by CTV,the majority of cat-foods recalled are the pouch-variety also canned slices in gravy,I would definetly stay away from those.
I did not see Purina mentioned there,but have read somwehere else Purina is also included.
Purinas foods are not very good period,I would look for something better for your kitties,from a pet-food-supplier,not a grocery store or department store like Walmart etc..

[kathryn]

Okay. I've never had a problem with purina and my cats fancy the kitten chow. I've heard too many horrible things about Iams and such. But I've been thinking of switching to something like science diet or something. I've got 4 cats + the stray/ferals that we go threw food fast and don't want to spend like a gabillion dollars on a bag that will last liek 2 days. I know that sounds bad but I do care about my pets I'm just not made of money.


I checked the whiskas website and it said their food was fine, thank goodness.

[Mypetsrmykids]

Be careful.....Hills Science Diet is also on the list. Probably your best bet is to go to a pet store that has recalled products and see what is left, as another poster is doing. I'm not sure that would be 100 percent safe, there could be more products added later.
I just checked and didn't see them on the list but I did go to their site and some of their cat food has been recalled. I suggest that if you intend to buy a product, go to that companie's site first and double-check.

[Mypetsrmykids]

I wanted to let you guys know that normally with animals that are in kidney failure, once of the things they do is give them fluids under the skin or through an IV. My pets are not on these type of fluids yet but I am giving Pedialyte to them throughout each day. My vet thought it would be a good idea and I think it's helping. My best suggestion is just to get them to a vet as soon as possible if anything doesn't look right with your pets.

[Scott_B]

Originally Posted by kathryn

Okay. I've never had a problem with purina and my cats fancy the kitten chow. I've heard too many horrible things about Iams and such. But I've been thinking of switching to something like science diet or something. I've got 4 cats + the stray/ferals that we go threw food fast and don't want to spend like a gabillion dollars on a bag that will last liek 2 days. I know that sounds bad but I do care about my pets I'm just not made of money.


I checked the whiskas website and it said their food was fine, thank goodness.

Describe fine? Sure its not on the recall list, but its far from Fine.

I suggest having a look for Felidae, or Innova Evo if youd like to feed a much healthier diet to you cat.

[chico2]

Well,so much for that.. I went to my local Pet Value,I normally go to Ren's Pet Depot,to pick up a few cans.
The saleslady had no idea,had heard nothing,does not watch the news or read the paper.
However she'd had people come in to the store and ask,so by now she was panicking,
She called the owner of the store and she was coming with a list of recalled products..

One question,the Menu Company says the problem SEEMS to be with the corn-gluten or wheat-gluten,those ingredients are also in a lot of dry foods,so what's the difference

[Scott_B]

Originally Posted by chico2

One question,the Menu Company says the problem SEEMS to be with the corn-gluten or wheat-gluten,those ingredients are also in a lot of dry foods,so what's the difference

Probably produced in different plants. Maybe they use a different supplier for their dry? Hard to say really.

[SunnysMum]

When I picked up Salem from the vet's office, I asked what food he was on. They were feeding him Hills Prescription Diet C/D - wet and dry (I asked why he wasn't on kitten food and they said he was, but was gaining too much weight, so they switched him). I'm not a Hill food fan, but bought some for starting out (trying to keep some of the stress out of the transition of living in a cage to a new home with another bossy cat).

I've already almost completely switched the dry kibble to Wellness Kitten Super5 mix (but still mixing a bit of the old stuff in)

I haven't switched his canned yet... I plan to switch him the same as Sunny - which is Merrick (Sunny, the ultimate picky eater, loves Merrick). It says it's for both cats and kittens, just give kittens twice as much -- I'd really like them on the same wet food if at all possible.

Now the Hills C/D isn't on the list, and Salem certainly seems fine...but I don't like the fact that this list keeps growing. (and you all know what a nervous new kitten mum I am....). Guess I'll switch Salem to the Merrick sooner than I planned...

[Mypetsrmykids]

I just found some information that might be helpful if you are looking for another type of pet food that would be safer. A good rule of thumb would probably be to stay away from corn, wheat or gluten fillers. Here is the info:

Corn, wheat and gluten have gluten which can be a cause of intestinal problems. Corn and wheat can have alfatoxins which KILL. In fact, food companies have had to recall products because of it. There are only a few types of dangerous molds that can occur in potatoes, while many many in the others. When a manufacturer uses corn and wheat and gluten, it is usually as a substitute for meat, chicken, fish, dairy. You see gluten = protein, but it does not have a high biological protein.

[Prin]

Anybody who wants to switch foods can always ask for advice here in the food forum. There are a lot of members who can help with choosing good foods.

[Prin]

From the Wellness site:

Please note: Wellness and Old Mother Hubbard products are NOT affected by the recent Menu Foods product recall

[Prin]

From the Petcurean site:

March 19th, 2007


PETCUREAN PRODUCTS NOT AFFECTED IN MENU FOODS RECALL
Rest assured, that no Petcurean products are involved in the recent Menu Foods recall of canned pet foods.

For further information on the Menu Foods recall, please visit the Menu Foods website at www.menufoods.com/recall, or call 1-866-895-2708.


http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=25

[Prin]

From Solid Gold:

MENU FOODS DOES NOT MAKE SOLID GOLD PRODUCTS

We at Solid Gold realize that customers are very concerned with the recent recall of canned products made by Menu foods. We would like to assure our customers that there are no safety concerns with Solid Gold products. Menu Foods does not make Solid Gold foods in any of their manufacturing facilites. Solid Gold is not subject to the current recall and we do not anticipate any problems with our foods.

http://solidgoldhealth.com/news/

[Prin]

Nature's Variety:

03-19-2007
Our Canned Diets

Nature’s Variety is passionate about the safety and quality of our pet diets and treats. Like you, we want to provide the highest quality nutrition for your beloved companion. Please be assured that the recent national pet food recall does not include any Nature’s Variety products. Our Prairie canned products – and all of our diets – are safe for your pet to enjoy. We extend our sympathies to the families who were affected by this unfortunate situation.

http://www.naturesvariety.com/news.lasso

[Prin]

Natura (Innova, California Natural, Healthwise)

To all Natura Pet Products customers:

By now most of you are aware of the large recall of canned dog and cat foods announced late last week. The following facts are very important:

This recall is associated with the ingredient wheat gluten, produced by a specific supplier. The types of canned foods under recall are all of the "cuts and gravy" style which Natura Pet Products does not produce.

* NO Natura products are of the "cuts and gravy" style.
* NO Natura formulas contain the ingredient wheat gluten.
* NO Natura products are affected by this recall.

Sincerely,
Natura Pet Products and Natura Manufacturing, Inc.

http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=home-tab