PET FOOD ALERT

Squinney--nope, the garlic is just for the flavoring. I have a buddy whose a vet working for ALPO over near Allentown. Thier "premium" dog foods have more garlic in it cause its a flavor enhancer for them. We also sometimes use water with beef bullion when we run out of canned to mix with their dry food.

My vet feeds a mix of dry food, thats been just moistened withabout 1/3 can of dog food. Whenever we go away for weekends we board our dogs with the vet and they start carrying on shortly after we get out on the road. Thye know their going to "doggie camp".

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods’ Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.

Topeka, KS (March 17, 2007) - In response to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill’s® Pet Nutrition, Inc. has announced a voluntary precautionary recall in the United States of a very small number of canned cat products that are co-manufactured by Menu.
This recall only affects Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts canned products in the United States.
Hill’s is voluntarily recalling the following products:

1. Science Diet® Kitten Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 3 oz. and 5.5 oz.
2. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Beef 5.5 oz.
3. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.
4. Science Diet® Feline Adult Savory Cuts® Ocean Fish 5.5 oz.
5. Science Diet® Feline Senior Savory Cuts® Chicken 5.5 oz.

No other Hill’s products are affected by this recall.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., is taking this precautionary step to protect the health and well being of your pets. Hill’s has received no reported cases of illness. Consumers of other pet food brands manufactured by Menu Foods have reported a small number of cases of cats becoming ill with loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy which are potential signs of kidney failure.
This voluntary product recall involves discontinuation of all retail sales and product retrieval from consumers. Consumers should stop using the affected products immediately. Consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms are present in your pet. All Science Diet products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled products. For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.HillsPet.com for details.
Hill’s is recalling the following product codes. Product codes can be found at the bottom of the can. Only relevant code numbers have been listed (‘X’s indicate irrelevant numbers).

Hills website

Go Hill's Science Diet! I have back up Hill's wet food for when my cat feels icky and refuses to eat his dry kibble. I imagine they might recall this as well. I'll feed him tuna until I hear further. It's a prescription brand and I'm guessing I'll have to call his vet about it.

Thanks Miller. Ill check our pantry to see whether theres any SCience Diet cat foods. I think Mrs F getds Fancy Feats but Ill be sure.

Anybody have any idea what the ingredient was that cause the sickness?

I seem to remember reading some possibles in an early link, maybe on this thread, or, gee, on google, which by now has quite a lineup of articles, many of them repetitive.

One person took her cat to the Vet, the cat died as a result of kidney failure and the bill was $6900.

Whatever the ingredient in the food, it's surely toxic.

Singapore may be toxic pet food source

Singapore (dpa) - Singapore's Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority is investigating the recall of millions of containers of pet food sold across North America after 10 animal deaths, the AVA said on Monday.

It advised members of the public to immediately stop feeding the products to their cats and dogs.

Canadian pet food company Menu Food recalled dog food sold under 48 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands on Saturday after receiving complaints from US owners that their dogs and cats were vomiting and suffering kidney failure after eating.

The recall covers its "cuts and gravy" style food sold from December 3, 2006 to March 6, 2007.

It is sold in cans and pouches, and includes such brands as Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.

The AVA is seeking to determine if any of the affected pet food has been imported to the city-state.

Dogs or cats which have consumed the suspect food and show signs of kidney failure such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting should be taken to their veterinarian, the AVA said.

These are among the best of brands.

I was very concerned when I read about this, because my son has two cats, whom he absolutely adores. If something happened to them, it would be like losing a member of the family.

I had no cause to worry. When I called him, he told me that he never feeds his animals cat food. He feeds them tuna that is made for humans.

That's what we're told.
In Oz you can't buy Iams & Eukanuba at the supermarket, just from the vet & specialty pet shops. Expensive, too.
But it's only the tinned (or "wet") products that are the problem, apparently.... but me, now I'm becoming a bit concerned about the dried varieties now...


I wish someone could explain what exactly it was (in the bad batches) that caused such severe reactions. I think people have a right to know.

Hills Science Diet in the cans is also very expensive.

Vets advise against feeding dogs, human food too.

Not true. These are among some of the mid-grade foods offered. Despite the price.

We've been told these are premium foods but if you know a little something about pet food and do some homework, you'll find that all three of these brands use fillers and artifical preservatives in their foods as top ingredients; stuff which costs little for them to make. Those companies make a TON of money off their food.

You're best bet for dog food is one that is as natural as you can get it; one without artifical preservatives. One that lists meat products (whole or meal) first. Avoid by-product if possible as this often includes the ground up bone from the animal as well (filler!). It might appear to cost more at first, but you're dog will eat less and you will buy less in the long run.

With a dog that went through an awful first year with gastrointestinal issues, I've done a bunch of research on commercial foods. She is doing better on Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul than she ever was on Hills Sciene Diet Prescription food (which should be better for her, right? ) AND the Science Diet cost TWICE as much as the Chicken Soup....and Chicken Soup has much better ingredients. I know we could do even better but so far, I haven't found anything she both likes and is good for her.


Get the Facts

Best Food

Dog Food Info

Kibble Analysis (this is interesting! Note where Iams, Euka and Nutro rate---3 star at best!)

Cost Per Pound

Oh and we've noticed a HUGE decrease in poo since she was taken off the Hills. Where as she was pooing 2-3 times a day, now she goes once, maybe twice if she gets treats. And the piles are much smaller. Proof to me that the food she is on now provides much better nutrition than the Hills.

Aflatoxin.

Dog Food Analysis

Again Iams and Sciene Diet rank mid or low on the scale. Nutro get's a better rating on this one but I don't agree.

Which is silly. Dogs don't eat bagged food in the wild. Humans started feeding them crap and that's what they get now. If any one of our dogs were wild dogs and were presented with a carcass or a bowl of kibble, which would he choose?

For those who can afford to feed their dogs human grade food, it's a wonderful option. But obviously, not all of us can afford a juicy steak for Fido.

If anyone is interested, check this out.

BARF

FAQs on BARF

Thank you, Bella.

Beg pardon if this information was there all along, somewhere earlier in the thread .... I missed it.

So now I'm wondering how this fungus came to be present in those particular batches of meat. Vegetables in the mix? (No, no one need try to answer. Just wondering away here ....)

I am not sure...it was probably listed in one of the articles.

I think it was just that the ingredients were old or got wet or something and caused the fungi to grow. I think it occurs on corn and wheat...grains rather than veggies. Could be wrong here...but that would be my best guess.

Thanks again, Bella.

Yes, I figured that it'd probably a good idea to go back & read all the articles & links provided here.

Couldn't it also mean that she's simply getting less fiber?