Watch Your Pets

I felt relief upon learning that canned pet foods were on the list of those to be avoided during this crisis in the food supply. My cats, Frank Sinatra and Sammie Dee, mainly eat dry food – and a by-prescription-only dry food at that.

Now, the federal Food and Drug Administration is saying that the pet foods to avoid may include dry food. So now I am carefully scrutinizing not just the labels of the food, but also watching my cats like a hawk, so to speak. They are definitely not lethargic; they chase each other through the house as always; they like water but don’t seem to be drinking any more than usual; and I haven’t seen any unusual vomiting or any diarrhea. I read the label on a bag of their food and did not find wheat or wheat gluten or additives that include ethoxyquine or propylene glycol. Their brand does include the additives BHT and BHA and one expert on a television show this morning said when perusing labels, look for them.

To learn if your pet food is on the list of brands to be avoided for now, call Menu Foods, which distributes products sold under a variety of names: 1-866-895-2708 or go to the Website: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/. Also check the Hills Pet Nutrition Inc., which has recalled one of its prescription products for cats: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/hills303_07.html

My cats consume a different prescription product than the one Hills is recalling. According to wire services: "Hills Pet Nutrition is recalling all Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food, which contained wheat gluten from the same supplier used by Menu Foods - the Canadian company that has recalled 60 million cans and packets made between December and March. No other Hill's Prescription Diet or Science Diet products are affected, said the company, a division of Colgate-Palmolive Co."

Also check the FDA site: www.fda.gov

I appreciate what one retailer, Waggin' Tails, whose products I use (Yes, I spoil my cats with all sorts of gadgets and other comforts!), said in an e-mail blast to its customers: "For over 12 years, we have devoted ourselves to the health and well-being of your pets. Our philosophy is quite simple here. Menu Foods produced toxic food. Without specific information that clearly identifies the problem and assures us that the problem is isolated to just the foods on the recall list, we do not feel safe offering anything produced in their facilities. We will continue to update you as new information is available. Again, we extend our deepest sympathy for anyone with a dog or cat affected by this event. We invite any questions to us at info@waggintails.com"


Let’s be careful out there!