Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats

156 Responses to “Menu Foods Expands Recall — Again”

1. Louie says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:10 pm

   Hey FDA,

   What the H _ _ L are YOU doing? Are you waiting for US to point you to the wheat gluten?

   What about all the corn gluten that may be causing problems? Have you tested any Beneful today?

2. 2CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

   From Nutro’s website:

   All Nutro products on the shelves
   in retail stores are safe to feed your pet.

   Liar, liar, pants on fire.

3. 5CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm

   Everyone,

   Please go to FDA’s website and get the phone number for your state’s consumer complaint coordinator. Call them and read them the riot act.

   I just called mine in Kansas, used the emergency number, and just
   raised H _ _ L. Are you waiting for poor Sandi to tell you where the rest of the wheat gluten went? What’s the matter with you people? All MENU products need to be recalled.

   Tell your FDA person WE DEMAND to know what MENU makes. Quit dribbling the information out a few products at a time and at the end of the day.

   I’ve left the coordinator 3 messages this week and NO ONE has called back.

   Did you see that MENU FUNDS stock info from Rocky. MENU is down
   3.59%, then the press release hits.

   What a debacle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:35 pm

   For God’s sake!

   What are we supposed to feed our animals? I give up. I was off the computer for all of an hour and log back in to find this news. A person can’t afford to sleep these days or they run the risk of poisoning their pets.

   I’m putting on my raincoat and heading out to Wal-Mart to buy a food processor to make some cat food with. I already have a ton of chicken leg quarters in the freezer and a ton of rice in the pantry. It won’t kill them to eat that until I can get a good recipe that meets all their nutritional needs.

5. Steve says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:04 pm

   Menu Foods’ director Robert W. Luba, used to be the president of Safety Kleen, a hazardous and industrial waste collection company.

   Check out these violations:

   * Exceeding the permitted feed rate of cadmium to the incinerator
   * Storing used oil fuel (VFS Distillate) from the Safety-Kleen East Chicago facility in the fuel oil tank and burning it in the incinerator when the incinerator did not meet all of the operating conditions for burning hazardous waste
   * failing to record the location of each container accepted in the container storage areas, and track these wastes in real time so that their location is known at any time
   * Accepting pyrophoric wastes
   * Placing incompatible wastes or materials in the same container and failing to document any evaluation of the compatibility of the absorbent with the liquid
   * Failing to retain the data recorded by the PI archiving system for at least three years
   * Failing to maintain systems to automatically cut off hazardous waste feed to the incinerator at a pH of less than 6.2 in the second stage packed tower effluent
   * Failing to retain a copy of a manifest at the facility for at least three years
   * Failing to analyze the slag for methanol daily until analyses showed the treatment standards had been achieved for seven consecutive days after methanol was detected at a level above the treatment standards
   * Entering the wrong generator name, address, and phone number on manifests accompanying wastes shipped by Safety-Kleen (Aragonite), Inc. for off-site treatment, storage, or disposal

   http://tinyurl.com/2rjo84

6. Joan Steik says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:22 pm

   Thank you, Itchmo, for your speedy reports on the Dog & Cat food recalls.

   I personally am stunned at this last recall - makes you wonder what’s next on their evil list.

   All good wishes,
   Joan Steik

7. 5CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:25 pm

   Thanks Steve,

   He sounds like real Quality Assurance Engineer.

   Since he obviously doesn’t one end of his production line from the other, can you find out what his backgound is?

   That “dock to dock” stuff can be a bit confusing.

8. Rocky says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:35 pm

   Hazardous and industrial waste?

   Well, he’s working at the right company, for sure.

   Hey MENU FOODS stockholders, when was the last time your directors had a QC audit?

   Now that he’s destroyed your company, you guys really need to give ‘ol Bob the boot.

   Maybe he can go start his own company - MENU FOODS JUNK DISPOSAL COMPANY

9. Trudy Jackson says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:38 pm

   Thank you so much again for letting us know what’s going on. I’m going crazy here with My rescue and all my dogs and cats. Every day there is something new. I lost 3 cats in Jan. Very unusual, 2 seemed to waste away in no time. I had to have them put down they were so bad. One had a cancer of the kidneys? i’ve never had any of this happen. They were eating Purina One and friskies, so none of that has been recalled. But do you think the dry Nutra natural choice is alright to feed? that’s what i have for the cats. And for the dogs We have Purina Kibbles and Chunks. thanks so much for being here. Trudy Jackson

10. dulcinea47 says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    What on earth can be their purpose in dragging this out? You can’t tell me their records are so bad they just now figured out where the wheat gluten went.

11. Carol says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:44 pm

    Thank you Itchmo..I must check this web site on the hour ..I know I will get up to date info..Thank you…I am getting to the point of being afaid to feed any dog food to my dogs…Some thing needs to be done NOW…this is just getting ridiculous

12. Beryl says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:51 pm

    For goodness sakes how many foods need to be recalled before consumers wake up to the fact that we do not need the pet food industry. Pets have thrived on HUMAN food (scraps) for centuries. Just don’t feed bad stuff (cooked bones, grapes, raisins, garlic and ONIONS) and our pets will be just fine.

    Temporary losers will be the pet food industry and (sadly) those who work for them. To survive, the pet food industry with get with the program and provide quality products.

    Also, why doesn’t the FCC look into the “coincidental” stock dumping done by the CEO of Menu Foods? Is it a coincident that the stock dumping corresponds with the delay in Menu Foods reporting their tainted food?

    I think not. This guy may need to spend some time in jail.

13. johnypaycut says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

    Trudy,
    allmost all of the marketed foods are dangerous.. purina is no exception.
    the existance a cancer in a pets kidneys is evidence of a long term toxin.
    i would offer this advice? a meat diet is far better for cats and dogs. there
    are vitamins and nutrients that you’l find require a bit of research..
    i have been feeding a processed diet, as im still learning what is ok make
    and feed? i’ve had good luck with innova, and chickensoup for (dogs,or cats) soul thats seems to be ok for now.. if you’r really tight for $$$, try
    Triumph in wet or dry.. try a web search for holistics foods, read the labels
    shoot for 1st.2 ingredients MEAT, avoid grains.. and by-products ..
    if you’v got a animal that has any kidney issues? don’t use 50% protein
    food, stay at 40% or below, and low ash , and phosporus..
    they’r a few foods that are ok.. my cat is being introduced to Nature variety wet food it’s 95% meat 5% vitamins and minerals lots of WATER
    drys lack water.. both dog and cat require liquids , dogs require less protien..
    good luck ,johnypaycut

14. SMITH111 says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm

    DO NOT PURCHASE ANY PET FOODS MANUFACTURED BY MENU FOODS.

    HOPE THIS LINK WILL HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO PURCHASE:

    http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/

15. Hope Valenti says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm

    My cat died March 11. He ate Nutro Max Cat Gourmet Classics savory hunter’s stew with duck before he died. Not just once, but probably a slow death, since I bought cases of this. I went back to Petsmart after he died to make sure that this brand was not recalled. When I was in Petsmart the Nutro rep was there, and he got really upset with me about asking questions about this. I was ASSURED this was NOT recalled nor affected. When I asked Petsmart for a list of everything I bought there, I was told I had to ask corporate and they would send me a list. Well after doing all this, hours of my time, all Petsmart sent back was a list that said one case of Sophistocat could be on the recall that I also bought. They missed the point -I wanted all my purchases, and now I am told to get this I need a notorized letter to get MY purchases to protect my privacy. I am not a rocket scientist, but I was smart enough to know immediatelly when they found out it was wheat gluten that was contaminiated, to not feed any of my pets food with that. How come it takes almost a month later, and now they recall the same stuff I asked about around March 12? This is pathetic, no one answered any of my questions, yes I called the FDA, and they called me back. No one can answer how they arbitrarily picked the Dec. 3 original recall date. I know they knew about this sooner, but because of the money involved and cost, they procrastinated. How did the govt. not pull all wheat gluten items off the shelves when this happened? How could Menu and these other companies wait a MONTH to do this recall? My best friend died from this, I loved my cat with all my heart, and it pains me to think what I was feeding him is now on this recall for sure. SHAME on this government for not getting information out sooner, they in my minds are guilty. My pet did not decide what he got for dinner, I did and I will always have to live with that and the fact these companies did not act in good faith and do the right thing IMMEDIATELY…..they knew where that wheat gluten came from, and knew before this those other foods had it also. Why would they keep it on the shelves and let other pets get sick?

16. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

    Folks,

    Very important that you contact the Company if your pet gets sick after eating their food. Tell them you have some new and useful information.

    It’s becoming clear that no ones where the gluten went - so all they have to go on is anecdotal evidence.

    Sandi’s experience proves this to be the case.

    I’ve called Purina several times, and can usually get through. Their number is 1-800-223-9485.

17. johnypaycut says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:23 pm

    Trudy,
    another thing? if you’v lost animals to kndney disorders WATER and proper levels of vitamins are things you can try and provide , i’ve runa web search on kidney problems try it.. they’r lots of web pages with lots of info.
    i lost my cat 3yrs back to kidney failure thats a price to pay , but from it i
    learned reams!! you need to keep any animal with bad kidneys hydrated?
    means adiquite liquids? and oils.. and vitamins.. lower protein is thought to
    help, but dry foods are less than 20% water, thats a death sentence ..
    my cat died ’cause some scumbag vet told me a couldn’t save her? he “prescribed” hill diet.. (screw him). do the required reading trudy?
    namy people swear by a raw meat diet in a cuse of kidney failure..
    and they’r right! it’s saved many animals.. go runa search on the web?
    sincerly ,johnypaycut

18. susan says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

    All I can say is… thank you to Itchmo and Petconnection. Where would most of us be without you?

    Menu foods - shame on you. We all know you are reading these posts…. shame on you!

    ITCHMO ADMIN NOTE: Menu Foods visited at least 11 times today.

19. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

    Hope,

    Your U.S. Senators need to hear your story so they can get involved.

    Senator Durbin will probably just yell at the FDA representatives. He could use some help.

    The dufusses in Washington need to write a law or two.

20. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    FDA - stands for F****** DUMB A****

    DO SOMETHING YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!

21. Rocky says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    In my opinion, there are no safe foods, other than the natural/organic/holistic ones.

    The wheat came into a few manufacturing companies and went into the bin. Then EVERY PRODUCT

22. Knitty says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    Hope, I’m so sorry about your cat.

    I’m glad your raising some h__l about this. Everyone should tell the food manufacturers and the FDA exactly what they think about this, but your voice will be heard louder, at the expensive of a member of your family.

    ___
    A big THANK YOU to the people at Itchmo for getting vital information out quickly.

23. Susan Pike says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:57 pm

    it’s all about money or why did the CEO sell he stocks before the recall we done???
    Well I think they have lost a lot of business now.
    Would you trust them again with your pet’s life?? I know I wouldn’t
    so I’m looking for another way to feed my cats
    Susan

24. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    Well, I am home from Wal-Mart another hundred bucks or so poorer. Sixty bucks for a food processor, about ten bucks for freezer containers to put the pet food I prepare in, and then of course the ingredients to make the food with.

    I think that even though this was not money I could afford to spend that I will be far better off in the long run financially and my pets will be far better off healthwise. After all the leg quarters, liver and brown rice I bought cost far less per pound (totaled and averaged) than the commercial pet food I’ve been buying.

25. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    I forgot to mention that I stopped by to speak with the manager when I arrived. They had not yet heard about the latest recalls.

26. Julie says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:03 pm

    IMPORTANT: CHECK YOUR PET TREATS!

    What to feed your pet? Stop using anything that has GLUTEN in the lable. There are still many different products on the shelves that do not contain GLUTEN (those should be safe) - READ YOUR LABLES.

    My kitty’s sick and I found that all her treats - about 6 out of 7 different ones all had Gluten. Her Iams dryfood did not. It was the treats that got her! She hasn’t had a lick of water in 6 days.

    ALSO MORE IMPORTANT: I took her to the vet for blood work. It came back normal. The vet said this does not mean she is not sick. If the kidneys are starting to fail it won’t show up until there is 40% involvement. So those who take their pets in for blood work “think” they just got a clean bill of health are given a false sense of security and continue to feed their pets the toxic food! By the time the animal is in full distress it may be too late to save them. (This process can happen in mere days!) DO NOT RELY ON BLOOD WORK ALONE. YOU MUST TAKE URINE AND BOWEL SAMPLES - Those test are more accurate and can detect the toxin earlier than in the blood.

    I pray for all the cats and dogs today….this is just starting to hit the fan.

27. Elisabeth M fromSC says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:05 pm

    Ttchomo’s Thank you for all your info I am so glad that i stopped all the softfood on my own ,when my Jack Russel was getting red eyes and we could not find out why and no Medication did not clear it up.I stopped all the dog food and cooked Oatmeal and Hamburger meat for him and his eyes cleared up.Whis i had safedsome of that food to have it tested.Thank you and please send me more info as it comes in .
    Elisabeth Miller From Simpsonville S.C.

28. Mommy of 3 pets and trying to keep them healthy . says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    DON’T WE ALL KNOW the cat and dog food manufactures need the money so they must keep it quite if anything goes wrong in processing the pet food. They don’t give a hoot about the pets, GREED,GREED, GREED, only the money.
    Haven’t we all heard some eldery eat these pet foods? Are they getting sick with kidney failure and dying too?
    Somebody shoud be checking into this.

29. Rocky says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    Sorry about that. My Cat stepped on the key board.

    For new bloggers,

    In my opinion, there are no safe foods, other than the natural/organic/holistic ones.

    Here’s why:

    The wheat came into MENU’s plant and went into the “wheat gluten bin”.

    Then, EVERY GLUTEN PRODUCT THAT MENU MADE, cans, bags, treats, whatever, got some of the tainted gluten.

    What products does MENU make? They’re all contaminated.

    Also, some of the gluten went to Purina. I know this because, last week, their recorded greeting refered to “the gluten we received from ChemNutra”. So every gluten containing product made by Purina is contaminated.

    Is your food safe? That depends on WHO made it NOT WHEN IT WAS MADE.

    Here’s the bottom line: If your food was made by a company whose other foods have been recalled, IT’S NOT SAFE.

30. Trudy Jackson says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you, Johnypaycut! I will look for something different. i’m thinking about raw anyway. thanks, Trudy

31. Tim says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

    Sounds Like Nutro and a few others has been paying FDA off….to keep there mouths SHUT !!!!!!!!Hummmm

32. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:40 pm

    Andrea,

    Good for you for letting the manager know! You probably saved some pets tonight.

33. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm

    To ITCHMO,

    Can you please post the name and number of the lab that did Sandi’s testing.

    God Bless Sandi. She did her best to save her cat and to notify other owners. Without her test results the Nutro recall would not have happened.

34. Judy Boone says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    I am so ticked off at all the greedy pet food companies –they have yet to act resposibly — notice they are not using TV ads or News Paper ads to warn pet parents how they are killing our kids- I am mom to my two dogs and my cat along with feeding ferals –so far I am feeding Fancy Feast canned –Nine lives dry and Canned –Fancy Feast dry and Purina One for seniors(cat)Pedigree canned and Purina Turkey Dry (dog) I have returned some many things and I am still worried I have called the companies that make these and was assured these were safe I’m still afraid every time I feed my kids— why is our Gov.allowing these companies to use third world countries products — $$$$$$ -bet no one is penalized or fined –the parents who have sick (or worse) kids should sue EVERY co. involved

    Thank God for Itchmo!!
    Judy Boone
    Ft.Worth
    TX

35. Jess says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:48 pm

    If your cat has kidney problems work with your vet to find out the best way to make sure it stays hydrated. You can over work the kidneys with too much hydration if the cat is sick. If there is a chronic problem you should learn how to give sub-q fluids. Make sure the vet does not give you Sodium Chloride to use for the fluid because it is too much salt for the kidneys to process. You want Lactated Riggers or Normasol.

    I have a cat with bladder struvite problems and any sort of stress used to make him obstruct. When I know we are doing something stressful (moving recently, going to the vet, having a lot of company) I give him fluids to prevent a problem and keep him flushed out. He has not had a blockage in over 3 years!!

36. Jess says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

    I just called Nestle (purina’s owner) and they are not able to provide a list of foods that are made by Menu, just the ones that they have pulled off the market.

    I want a list of EVERY food they make, not just the ones that have problems!!

37. juli says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:59 pm

    Most importantly, my heart hurts like h–l for each of you who have lost a pet or has a sick pet. I am so saddened by the fact that all these animals are suffering, some without medical attention.

    Thank you for the info, Julie. Before the recall I took my 10-year-old (rescue) dog for routine bloodwork and everything was fine. I did not know more testing was required but I will take care of that. He was eating canned Pro Plan but no more. I am so confused and don’t know that I’m doing right but I now make his food by boiling hamburger (buy it when its jut been reduced) and chicken along with maccroni, rice, sweet potatoes or carrots. Before I serve it to him, I add a cup of cottage cheese. I have tried every wet and dry organic foods that I can find for him but he will not touch them. Neither will he eat his vitamins. He weighs 96 pounds so it takes a lot of food.

    My problem lies with the colonies of feral cats that I feed on a daily basis. I feed Purina Kitten Chow along with 9 Lives canned food. I feed at least 20 cats every day and it gets quite expensive. Does anyone know of a dry organic food that will not cost me any more than I’m already spending?

    I will never intentionally buy another product that is manufactured by Menu Foods.

    This is the most wonderful web site for pet parents! Thank you for all your time and effort you are putting into it. I really appreciate the email updates.

38. Lynette says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:16 pm

    Andrea - if you want to make your own cat food, there are good recipes at
    www.catinfo.org
    and
    www.catnutrition.org

    I’ve been using those recipes for two years now.

    another option is to use the Feline Instincts supplement sold be Feline Future - just add it to fresh ground or chopped meat and liver
    www.felinefuture.com

39. Evy says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:20 pm

    to ITCHMO ADMIN

    Thank you for our first good chuckle in posting how many times Menu Foods has visited the site. Between me and Tracy, we just about LIVE on your site. We have probably ‘visited’ about 100 times a day at least.

    Thanks for keeping us up to date on whassup. Your non-biased journalistic professionalism is appreciated.

40. Deb says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:28 pm

    I own a pet boutique and took my two dogs on vacation over the Easter weekend. In my rush to pack, I didn’t include any chews for the dogs so I stopped into a Petsmart in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While I was searching for something healthy (U.S. rawhide, wheat-gluten free chews, products without artificial colors, flavors and preservatives like BHA, BHT and Ethoxoquin) I finally found a package of U.S. made bully sticks from a company that I trust.

    As I was paying for them the clerk asked me if I had their store card. I asked her if the company contacted all the customers that used this (pet perks?) card to purchase recalled food. She told me that they just waited for everyone to come in and buy more and then they notified them. I was appalled.

    These companies (Petco, Petsmart, grocery stores, etc.) all collect personal information including emails and phone numbers. The card must be presented at each purchase or they won’t give out their discounts. Yet, when something comes along that KILLS their customers’ animals, they forget to call?

41. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:56 pm

    Accutrace Testing in Arlington, TX can test for the toxins in the food.

42. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:58 pm

    ps. Here is the ph # 800-224-9551

    www.accutracetesting.com

43. Patricia Dougherty says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:18 pm

    Call me paranoid, but I still think we will find out that the contamination was earlier than December. I lost three cats beginning in July, all with the same symptoms of lethargy and not eating. I force fed my cats Eukanuba and Neuto packets. My little dog died in November with the same symptoms as the cats, she loved to eat the cat food packets. I also force fed my diabetic cat the same food I have switched to brands that do not contain any corn or wheat gluten, Wellness and Nature. I had to mix the two because in Hawaii, the supplies are sometimes limited. If I need to force feed, I feed them baby food.

44. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:21 pm

    Martin,

    Thanks so much for the lab info.

45. Tracy says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

    Sam-Life’s Abundance uses Menu foods.

46. Ronda says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:06 am

    Quote Deb: “These companies (Petco, Petsmart, grocery stores, etc.) all collect personal information including emails and phone numbers. The card must be presented at each purchase or they won’t give out their discounts. Yet, when something comes along that KILLS their customers’ animals, they forget to call?”
    Deb, that is so right on. I’m going to go to my local pet stores first thing tomorrow. Even though I don’t buy any food (homecook for 3+ years - my pup has an auto-immune disorder), I still have bought toys and bird stuff at petco & petsmart. Depending on what kind of response I get, could be the last of my business they get.

47. Martin says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:13 am

    5CatMom

    I had some treats from Sunshine Foods that they tested. Fortunatally it was negative. But, what about the next bag???? Is it ok???
    We cant have every bag tested prior to feeding it to our pets. That should be up to the companies that place their label on the package.
    All existing foods should be taken OFF THE MARKET. They should make new batches under supervision with required testing before they are allowed back on the shelves.
    The people at the accutrace lab were very helpful and understanding.

48. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:28 am

    Thanks to Lynette for the links to pet food recipes. I’m going to check them out right now.

49. lee lutz says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:06 am

    Thank you all for your information. Certainly the FDA has hidden so much that is lethal. I am disgusted and old enough to remember when they could be trusted. This is a government that is an oligarchy and not for the protection of the citizens. I am tracking the treats as so far , the dry science diet for dogs has not appeared on the lists. The treats are the ones that are so hard to track since they have so many names.

50. Valerie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:08 am

    This is just getting to be very big and so upsetting!
    I have fed my 11 or so sighthounds Pro Plan for too many years. When this started I switched them to Merrick now I am mixing in Eagle Pack Holistic. Purina can take their rebate checks and stuff them.
    As I was heading into Walmart tonight to pick up coffee I saw 2 carts coming out with Beneful bags, yes, I stopped them and told them they are feeding poison to their dogs and I am sure they thought I was nuts but I hope they think about it. A good friend of mine told me today her sisters doggy died of recalled foods and now her cat is ill and she was on Science Diet prescription, yes the recalled one! I just can’t imagine how she feels and I feel so sad for all the loved pets that were poisoned. I take the notices into a small pet supply store for the owner too. She is just stunned and doesn’t know what to leave on the shelves!
    I’m sorry this is so long.
    Please tell everybody about these foods. I visit Itchmo several times a day!
    Also as a note, my dogs have started cleaning up their bowls now and they seem to be extra spunky! Smart puppies!

51. Sherry says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:10 am

    I wanted to tell all of you that almost all of the wet products on the market are made by menu foods. The only way to find out is to look up each one. Blue seal says they do not use menu foods. Chicken soup for pet lovers is made by American Nutrition. Menu does not make Halo wet foods. Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healhwise, Mother Nature, Karma Organic are all made by the Menu Foods Plant in South Dakota. Just because the back of the can says produced by a company does not mean that menu foods did not make it. Only if it says manufactured by a company.

52. Sherry says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:15 am

    everyone needs to get on the FDA sight and read how to tell what is on the labels of the pet products. I did and I found out a lot.

53. Meg says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:32 am

    I just looked up corn gluten meal and it informed me that it is used as a natural herbicide. Today, while trying to shop for cat and dog food I read the ingredients listed in the food, making sure the products I purchased did not contain wheat gluten. I noticed that some contain corn gluten. Is corn gluten safe? Is the corn gluten that is used in the pet food different from the corn gluten meal used as a natural herbicide? Don’t tell me we might be having another pet food recall because of corn gluten!

54. WOLFIN says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:57 am

    Anyone who has a preference for a particular BOOK on home-cooking food for dogs please, please post it here. My baby had his last commercial meal for breakfast yesterday. He’s confused and hungry right now, after his last two improvised meals. I will NEVER GO BACK to poison-food.

    I’m sending this same message to Pet Connection, I’m going to go take care of other animals that I have… They haven’t managed to find a way to poison mice or birds yet, have they??? …Then I’m going to read the two message boards and get on Amazon’s site and order my books, at least two of them, to be shipped overnight. Websites would also be helpful. I need poultry-based, not beef.

    I feel terrible for everyone who’s died, everyone who’s sick, and everyone who Loves them. I still think that we need to sue Menu and make them pay for a Memorial as part of the settlement. There are now, according to war statistics that I read in the paper, MORE DEATHS FROM THE RECALL than in all of the Saudi Arabia, Gulf, and Iraqi wars added up together (American deaths, not the others).

    I’m sick and tired of hearing from people that “it’s just animals, nobody cares about animals”. Believe me - I hear that!!! We need to show them, by causing such an uprising that the laws will be changed. I am devoting Friday to doing just that - raising havoc with the politicians, calling, writing paper letters, and e-mailing, starting with my city, all of the way up to The White House. Then the people who think that animals don’t matter will realize how very wrong they are.

    And yes, to the person who suggested that the guy who traded in his stock needs jail time… They put Martha Stewart in prison for that, and she wasn’t a MASS MURDERER!!!

    Thank you so much for this site. You’ve saved so many lives, and provided comfort in these hours of deepest despair.

    BLESSED BE.

    WOLFIN )O(

55. Diane says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 8:56 am

    I have a full bag of pedigree dry & pedigree for overweight dogs that just went into the garbage it has wheat glutin in it… I switched to Merrick Wet & Dry for my guys… it’s expensive but hoepfully it won’t kill my dogs..

56. Deb says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 9:02 am

    Wolfin,
    I read Andi Brown’s book “The Whole Pet Diet” over the weekend. It will absolutely change your focus and your life. I own a pet boutique and sell wonderfully healthy foods but the book made me want to start cooking too! Also check out www.petfoodproject.com to review the truth behind pet food ingredients. You’ll be totally disgusted by our commercialized pet food companies. (more than you already are, if that’s possible!)

57. connie vilardo says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 9:04 am

    ok, new day , Ive read & Im back. this may be a wee bit long, bear with me.
    valerie: whats wrong with Beneful?(wheat gluten?)
    2 catmom : lol that was good :)

    someone mentioned corn gluten & corn..after quickly reading last nite, I was on the phone with my vet(diabetic dog) & asked about the corn. He wanted to know if they were saying that was poinon too? no just bad for animals. He said “for as much corn as they’re going to be eating until this issue is fixed…it will be ok”
    pet treats: Im buying NOTHING & there are so many recipes online..I needed something in a hurry the otehr day & pulled out my betty crocker cookbook..opened to biscuits & made a few adaptions. instead of wet milk, I used chicken broth. instead of shortning I used some oil from the chickn broth, added some dry milk & (made 2 batches) used some cooked chopped chkn liver for extra flavor(couple TABS) other batch got a couple Tabs of tuna. The dogs love them. but then again, now when I go in the kitchen I have at least one of 21 following me cause they think I MUST be cooking for THEM!
    ohhh the feral cat food….I personally have 19 indoor cats. all WERE getting some canned food daily(to ensure my diabetic cat of 1 1/2 yrs was eating well at shot time) but since this started they get dry(plus my cooking). I have been using purina indoor or meow mix indoor & everyone has seemed fine . NO store bought wet food, they get some of whatever Ive cooked them so far this week. right now, theres a chicken cooking($3.00) Ill strip it, add some rice, maybe some oatmeal, some veggis out of the freezer(they can pick out the ones they dont want). I also add cooked chopped liver…when I buy it. Since I have taken all cats off store wet food, I HAVE noticed a difference in my kids. I had one in particular I was worried about but vet said he was ok. my 15 yr old, looks better, acts younger & I cant help but wonder if they had been getting bad food for months. Im soo glad they were not getting a lot daily!! they were eating friskies canned (not recalled) & special kitty(whoops), & 9 lives (?).
    20 cats are costing ME roughly $12-17 a week to feed(now that Im cooking). as for a dry food… this whole thing has me spooked, Im reading labels. if it says wheat gluten, Im bypassing it, no matter what brand it is.
    If I remember correctly I did bypass beneful because of wheat, I came home with goodlife recipe. the dogs LOVE it & so do the cats..so much so my poor dogs cant get to their bowls, & it was straight DRY food! next Im trying a bag of goodlife for the cats :)(unless that gets recalled too!)

    anyone else get an email from mars saying their foods were ok? pedigree, goodlife recipe, whiskas, sheba, & others… also at work last nite(walmart)I saw signs up from IAMS, saying foods still on shelves safe.

    yes Im telling every person I see with pet food..do you know about the recall?? as well as forwarded all emails from here to every contact in my address book plus Im posting it on my myspace page. there still seem to be too many oblivious to the fact our hairy kids are being poisoned. I dont keep saying “theres always room for one more”..for pet food to kill them! & yes all 21 are spayed & nuetered :)

58. connie vilardo says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 9:08 am

    one last thought: more than once over the past 2 weeks, one of the humans have taken the container out of the frig looking for something to eat & asked whats this…”well its cat & dog food..but I suppose you can eat some too if you want. :)”

59. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 9:34 am

    Hi Connie,

    The problem with BENEFUL is that it’s made by PURINA.

    They received a shipment of gluten directly from ChemNutra “the China Source Experts and they obviously didn’t test it. Otherwise they’d have found the gluten.

    Other ingredients are also suspect, like Corn Gluten. Purina probably doesn’t test that either.

    The doggybling website has tons of anecdotal evidence about sickness and death after eating it.

    Don’t feed PURINA. It may all be contaminated. We just don’t know. ‘Cause they ain’t talking.

60. Sam says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 9:36 am

    Tracy Thank you for the info.
    According to the list of pet food NOT on the Menu recall list posted on the petsitUSA.com website Life’s Abundance is a product of Healthy Pet Net and is manufactured at Ohio Pet Foods. My cat is thriving on this food, but I will monitor everything closely Thanks Again!

61. LstMyFriend says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:00 am

    # Louie Says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 6:10 pm

    Hey FDA,

    What the H _ _ L are YOU doing? Are you waiting for US to point you to the wheat gluten?
    What about all the corn gluten that may be causing problems? Have you tested any Beneful today?
    ———————————

    We agree with your question posted to both FDA and Menu and even the other pet food manufacturers. We’ve all been trying to point them in the right direction all along as a result of our pet’s deaths and illnesses, and yet they still won’t listen,………..
    psssss, wheat gluten / corn gluten and the possible other toxic contaminants are also in the dry foods (your dry foods Menu), and many deaths and illnesses have been stemming from there also, ummmmm WILL YOU LISTEN EVEN NOW, this late in time ?????? TEST ALL of the pet foods, as a direct result of this large sad (& costly in so many ways) incident, and then pass more strict rules about what SAFE ingredients are allowed to be in pet foods, and get rid of the junk & dangerous ingredients ! WE will never buy anything manufactured by Menu Foods again, because of the lack of laboratory (not on animals) testing ! That is the result of the negligence shown before this incident, and most importantly, the negligence shown since it was suspected back in late 2006/ early 2007 ! You should have pulled everything and found out what was going on when you suspected issues/problems, instead you CHOOSE to let our pets die and suffer needlessly. We now also strongly believe all the increasing number of illnesses to the pets over these years has been due to the uncaring manufacturing process for animal food; can we say false advertising at the very least !

62. Marianne says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:11 am

    So far, Mars Foods, which makes Goodlife Recipe, says that they do not use Menu Foods to make any products. So my furry children are eating Goodlife Recipe and Purina Indoor dry mixed. They get wet food as a treat, and only Fancy Feast, because right now, they are apparently still safe.

63. Sandi says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:28 am

    5CatMom Says:

    April 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
    To ITCHMO,

    Can you please post the name and number of the lab that did Sandi’s testing.

    God Bless Sandi. She did her best to save her cat and to notify other owners. Without her test results the Nutro recall would not have happened.

    5CatMom, it was us who had the testing done, while we had asked Nutro to test in Jnauary, they did and said the food was fine so now we know how “fine” it was, its on the recall list. But the thanks goes to the woman in California and her diligent vet who decided to have the food tested even though it wasnt on the recall list. We did try at this end in January but were met with a brick wall from Nutro…..we also tried 8 times to notify Menu Foods and Nutro after the recall occurred and once again no one responded. All of this was too late for our kitty but I can feel comfort in knowing that others may be saved. That is why we had Howl 911 post her food on their list after the 3-16 recall list due to our suspicions of it being tainted even before the proved it yesterday. Thank you 5CatMom for your kind thoughts and words, our hearts are broken and we miss our kitty desperately.

64. Sandi says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 am

    Oh geesh here I am trying to clear this up and I made it worse, my typing is awful! Pardon me as I have been very distraught and cant type well lately…..I meant to say above that it was NOT, I repeat NOT us who had the testing done…I am making this even more confusing arent I? Sorry folks

65. Norm from Catonsville,Md says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:40 am

    Hello Everyone,I’m so sorry to hear about your losts. My dog Spanky was
    eating Giant brand Champion for a very long time,he’s 13 years old now,and showing signs of aging.I stopped feeding him the mentioned food,and switched to Skippy Ken-L ration,wich is made by Del Monte pet products in Pittsburgh PA.I read the label and don’t see any stuff everyones been talking about. Spanky seems to like it alot,and it even smells pretty good! Like human food! I’ve seen a change in him also for the good. So if someone out there can double check behind me,look at Skippy and see if I’m right that it doesn’t have any poision in it hidden in some of the words on the label.Ok. I thank you and Spanky says Ruff Ruff.

66. Compcat says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:52 am

    I read the site on using corn gluten as a “natural” pest control for fields. Here’s why it works (or why they are testing to see if it works for organic gardening). ALL plants have some form of natural protection against insects and other plants. This includes fresh organic vegetables that you would eat on your table.

    As an interesting aside, celery growers were super interested in breeding a celery that would have more pest resistance “naturally”. If the plant is tough on its own, you don’t have to add chemicals, which is cheaper. Unfortunately, by selecting for “tougher” celery, they inadvertently selected for a celery strain that produced (on its own, with a hereditary gene) high amounts of psoralen. Psoralen causes photosensitivity, and grocery workers that handled a large volume of the stuff started complaining. That variety of celery is no longer sold. Plants that are under stress (like a bug attack), or sprouting may also produce higher amounts of their natural defense chemicals at that time. This is why green tomatoes and potatoes are bad for you.

    Whether or not corn and corn products, or other grains are appropriate food sources for our non-herbivore pets is a whole nother argument. I think we can all agree that some revamping of how we monitor our food supply in the US is in order, and this recent event, plus several of the recent aflatoxin contamination problems in dog food was the wake up. Some of this “human grade” wheat gluten was potentially sold to human food distributors, where it would have spread just as widely if our cats hadn’t started getting sick from it. I would prefer to have some other food testing system in place besides my pets in the future.

67. Deb says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 10:55 am

    Marianne,
    Please discontinue using Fancy Feast! I finally got an email from Purina (after 4 requests) that listed some of their ingredients. See below. Meat meal can include euthanized animals (www.petfoodproject.com) that includes pentabarbitol residue. When these animals are used, collars and tags aren’t even removed! They also throw in meat from grocery stores that are past the sell by date. Do they remove the meat from the trays and plastic? Nope. In any event, I would NEVER feed anything that has meat meal in it! Seriously check the ingredient descriptions on the site listed below before you switch foods. Best bet - buy only from manufacturers that aren’t listed on the stock exchange!
    Thank you for contacting Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

    We appreciate your response to our recent email. The ingredient listings for the products you indicated are as follows:

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Chopped Grill Feast(tm)
    Meat by-products, meat broth, poultry, poultry by-products, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, sodium tripolyphosphate, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, iron oxide, Vitamin E supplement, sodium nitrite (to promote color retention), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Cod, Sole & Shrimp Feast(tm)
    Cod, liver, meat by-products, fish, fish broth, sole, shrimp, artificial and natural flavors, guar gum, added color (Red 3 and other color), potassium chloride, salt, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin E supplement, calcium phosphate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Vitamin D-3 supplement, folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Gourmet Chicken Feast(tm)
    Chicken, chicken broth, liver, meat by-products, fish, poultry by-products, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, potassium chloride, iron oxide, tricalcium phosphate, salt, Vitamin E supplement, sodium nitrite (to promote color retention), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Gourmet Seafood Feast(tm)
    Ocean fish, liver, meat by-products, fish broth, natural and artificial flavors, shrimp, guar gum, potassium chloride, titanium dioxide color, salt, iron oxide, Vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Ocean Whitefish & Tuna Feast(tm)
    Ocean whitefish, liver, fish, meat by-products, fish broth, tuna, natural and artificial flavors, titanium dioxide color, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, Vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Savory Salmon Feast(tm)
    Salmon, liver, meat by-products, salmon broth, fish, turkey, artificial and natural flavors, tricalcium phosphate, added color (Red 3 and other color), guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, Vitamin E supplement, calcium phosphate, zinc sulfate, sodium nitrite (to promote color retention), thiamine mononitrate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Vitamin D-3 supplement, folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Tender Beef & Chicken Feast(tm)
    Meat by-products, beef broth, beef, chicken, poultry by-products, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, iron oxide, Vitamin E supplement, sodium nitrite (to promote color retention), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Tender Beef & Liver Feast(tm)
    Meat by-products, beef broth, beef, liver, poultry by-products, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, iron oxide, Vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Tender Beef Feast(tm)
    Beef, beef broth, liver, fish, meat by-products, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin E supplement, sodium nitrite (to promote color retention), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Tender Liver & Chicken Feast(tm)
    Meat broth, liver, meat by-products, chicken, poultry by-products, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, potassium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, salt, taurine, Vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Turkey & Giblets Feast(tm)
    Turkey, liver, meat by-products, turkey broth, poultry giblets, natural and artificial flavors, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, Vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    Fancy Feast(r) Gourmet Cat Food - Gourmet Salmon & Shrimp Feast(tm)
    Fish broth, salmon, liver, meat by-products, fish, turkey, shrimp, artificial and natural flavors, added color (Red 3 and other color), guar gum, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, taurine, thiamine mononitrate, salt, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, dicalcium phosphate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, cobalt carbonate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, potassium iodide, biotin.

    We hope this information is helpful and that you will let us know if you have any other questions.

    Again, thank you for visiting our web site.

68. Tracy says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    Sam - I think that we should boycott ALL companies who EVER used Menu Foods. Life’s Abundance may not be on the recall list, but if you check out the Who Makes What, Life’s Abundance was a customer of Menu Foods. All in or all out. That list is just as important as the recall list. They used Menu Foods, we don’t buy their food. Friend, it was the luck of the draw that Life’s Abundance wasn’t in the cycle of making food when this happened.

69. Stephanie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:41 pm

    JESS- GOOD POINT–sub-q-fluids
    The kidneys have the ability to regenerate, if they are given rest. Giving sub-q-fluids after acute kidney failure, can allow kidneys to rest & regenerate. I know this can work, it gave me 3 years with my cat after specialists told me he wouldn’t make it and would need sub-q daily for rest of life(they said maybe 6 months). I gave sub-q-fluids for a couple of months(started out daily, then every other day, and so on) .Then took him off sub-q-fluids, waited 3 days, had blood work done, and he was doing fine on his own! Had 3 more years with him and he never needed another treatment. Work with your vet on this.
    I’m searching for an alternative pancreatic diet for my raccoon. She gets Hill’s Science id Feline. I’m scared of it now. Any ideas?
    Thanks to all for getting involved

70. Frank says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    5CatMom says: “The problem with BENEFUL is that it’s made by PURINA. They received a shipment of gluten directly from ChemNutra “the China Source Experts and they obviously didn’t test it. Otherwise they’d have found the gluten.”

    Can you please provide a source for this statement? I’ve searched for one including on that doggybling rant site and can’t find any?

71. Lorie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:45 pm

    Just called Purina this morning and reported my 2 cats became ill on March 23rd from new case of Fancy Feast Elegant medlies Chicken Florintine,still not on the list they ask me to send them one of the cans for testing…………….still cannot get thru to FDA. My 2 cats need to be rechecked for any permanent damage to their kidneys on April 16th. This whole thing is a total nightmare. I am scared to death to feed them anything tried cooking for them and they are not happy with that so I have resorted to Merrick foods without gravy and hold my breath. I am not brave enough to add a dry food to the mix yet. Anyone have a safe dry they trust?

72. Stephanie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:47 pm

    JESS-great point–sub-q-fluids
    The kidneys have the ability to regenerate, if they are given rest. Giving sub-q-fluids after acute kidney failure, can allow kidneys to rest & regenerate. I know this can work, it gave me 3 years with my cat after specialists told me he wouldn’t make it and would need sub-q daily for rest of life(they said maybe 6 months). I gave sub-q-fluids for a couple of months(started out daily, then every other day, and so on) .Then took him off sub-q-fluids, waited 3 days, had blood work done, and he was doing fine on his own! Had 3 more years with him and he never needed another treatment. Work with your vet on this.
    I’m searching for an alternative pancreatic diet for my raccoon. She gets Hill’s Science id Feline. I’m scared of it now. Any ideas?
    Thanks to all for getting involved

73. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    Lorie,

    Yesterday, I called FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for my state (yet again) and got their answering machine. The answering machine referred me to an emergency number. So I called the emergency number and was able to talk to a real person who took my information.

    I was VERY firm and insisted that FDA call me about one of the foods not already on the recall list.

    This morning I received a call from FDA who took down all the info.

    Was it your state FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator that you called?

74. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:10 pm

    Lorie,

    There are no perfect foods, if you get away from the name brands and private label stuff, you can reduce the risk.

    There are two parts to the problem:

    One is the immediate risk of feeding melamine contaminated food.

    The second is the long term effects of feeding poor quality foods that may have low levels of toxins.

    To mitigate the immediate risk, just go to Petco or Petsmart and ask for a NATURAL food, or one that is some combination of natural/organic/holistic, etc. Don’t buy IAMS, Purina, Science Diet.

    Petco sells Natural Balance (not perfect) but a better choice that what your grocery store sells. Also you might look in your phone book under PET STORES and see what stores are in your area. The small boutique stores sell the really super premium stuff like Natura/Innova/EVO, Nature’s Variety, Solid Gold, etc. There are lots of good foods, we just don’t know who they are. But we’re learning. Be sure of that.

    If you’re just completely overwhelmed, just get some chicken and cook it up yourself. They can eat chicken for a day, or two until you get up to speed.

    Read all you can on this website. It’s the best. And post your questions. They’ll be answered.

75. Anonymous says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:16 pm

    5CatMom you said: “The problem with BENEFUL is that it’s made by PURINA. They received a shipment of gluten directly from ChemNutra “the China Source Experts and they obviously didn’t test it. Otherwise they’d have found the gluten.”

    How did you find out Purina received a shipment of wheat gluten from ChemNutra? Please I need to know this because that’s what I feed my dog. You can’t just say that without providing a source.

76. Martin says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:30 pm

    Sandy

    I am so very sorry for your loss.

    Nutro said the food was fine and they said they tested it. Where did they test it? Where are the results? We all would like to see them I’m sure! What is wrong with these companies! They dont care about our pets,..they only care about the $$$. I hope you file suit against them. I know it wont bring your kitty back but it may close the doors on these horrible companies. They dont deserve to be in business.

77. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

    Anonyymous,

    Thanks. You’re right. I’m a little tired right now, like many others.

    Never would I write something here that isn’t sourced. But you’re right, I didn’t provide the source in the previous post, though the conversation is mentioned in other posts that have been posted prior to today.

    I made the comment about Purina, because when I called them week before last (may have been Monday, last weeK), their recorded message refered to “the wheat gluten that we received from ChemNutra”, or words to that effect.

    If you go back and read some of my previous posts, you’ll find that I have previously mentioned the Purina message.

    I’ve called Purina several times, and the message, over time, has changed.
    The last time I called them, the message didn’t refer to ChemNutra.

    I’m no expert (and don’t mean to sound like one) but my background is in both the grain business and the manufacturing business (plus a few other things). Some of it was very technical and all of it was regulated by the EPA, FAA, FDA, and the other A’s.

    This is a very fixable problem. But it must start with some honesty from the BRANDS. A little QUALITY CONTROL would help as well.

    You can’t operate a business “open loop”. The CEO’s must look around and see that the world has changed. You don’t get wheat from Bubba anymore. Supply chains are long and complicated.

    These companies must be able to recognize that when thing’s change there’s a new opportunity for a “gotcha”. And they must change as well.

    Over the years, the rules have changed for what must be inspected coming into this country, sometimes with very poor “scientific evidence”, and in a effort to accomodate special interests, our standards have been lower.

    Anyway, back to the BENEFUL question. I believe that the same lack of QC that allowed the tained gluten to get into the food chain has also allowed SOMETHING to get into BENEFUL. Don’t know what ’cause no one’s talking.

    If you can find out where Purina’s BENEfUL is actually manufactured, you know more about what could be going on.

    The other thing to know is that Purina (and some others) have manufacturing plants in China. Check the China websites, you’ll find the news about the one that opened in February.

    Could be lots of things going on, but it all comes back, at least in my opinion, to the lack of ROBUST QUALITY CONTROL PROCESSES.

    If someone has a better idea, please let us know.

    Anyway, see the DoggyBling website on the BENEFUL issue. They’ve collected tons of anecdotal evidence. I realize that’s not proof, but remember that Sandi in California had to tell FDA that wheat gluten was in her food.

    Take care.

78. Anonymous says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:03 pm

    5CatMom, thanks for clearing this up, somewhat. The reason I’m so interested is not only the fact I feed my dog Beneful, but from the start both the FDA and ChemNutra have refused to release a list of manufacturers having signed off on shipments of tainted wheat gluten. For a minute there, I thought you might have access to this list. I did read everything on the doggybling site and wouldn’t call it anecdotal, but more like ranting fools. There is enough disinformation coming from food manufacturers without people making matters worse.

79. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:10 pm

    Forgot to add:

    Quality is what’s in the bag - not just on the label.

    Quality products are produced when manufacturing process are IN CONTROL.

    The manufacturing process is kept in control through ROBUST QUALITY CONTROL processes. This includes inspection and testing.

    The FDA guy said there was so much melamine in the gluten that it could be seen. Search for the article, it’s there.

    What we have is a complete SYSTEM BREAKDOWN which began when contaminated raw materials were not properly inspected.

80. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:18 pm

    Anonymous,

    Yes, you’re right. They won’t release the names, but ChemNutra’s press release stated that 792 tons of gluten were “shipped to 3 pet food makers and a single distributor”.

    There are only a handful of contract manufacturing companies who make lots of formulas of different brands, for different companies. It’s all very complicated. The fact that the pet food manufacturing business IS so centralized explains why the problem is very widespread.

    Just be careful out there. And check this site:

    http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/

81. Joanne says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

    Just wondering. I’ve been reading all this stuff and am so confused about everything. I know the wet food was recalled and some treats, but I wasn’t aware that now dry dog food is being recalled! I fed my dog Nutro Large Breed Lamb & Rice formula in the cans, since she was a puppy, which was on the list. Which I stopped giving her immediately. I got so worried, I just now cook her food, (chicken & rice, peas & carrots, Or hamburger, pasta, peas & carrots), mixed with low sodium, either chicken or beef broth. But I still give the Nutro Large Breed Dry Food (2 cups) at night. Do I have to worry now about that being poisoned????????????????? I know everybody is worried about all this crap. I don’t know what I would do, if something like this caused my babies death. I feel so bad for everyone who’s had that happen. I’m so sorry for them.

82. Deanna says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 2:43 pm

    In 5CatMom’s defence re: Purina….
    As far as the Beneful goes…just take a LONG look at their LONG list of ingredients (which they don’t btw supply on their website!)….They start off
    their list with ground yellow corn which is followed soonafter by corn gluten meal and then 37 ingredients later GARLIC oil! Then throw some Mendione Sodium Bisulphite (for vitamin K activity) for a list of crappy ingredients that climbs to 50 (give or take a few). Yum! Yum! Oh! Btw! That is the Beneful Original Chicken dry formula (for dogs).

    Btw…I can say that…I have the source…so do you if you read the bag. As far as supplying documents…I have gathered so much info over the last few weeks that I can’t possibly remember where I got EVERYTHING from, but I do remember reading somewhere about the ChemNutra-Purina thing myself…I just forget which website!

    Last of all…..I USED to feed my dogs Beneful too…and I don’t consider DoggyBling having any ranting going on. It was when I read the testimonials there that I really checked out that bag….even though it’s not on the recall list…..either was Medi-Cal til yesterday.

    5CatMom…..I’m with you on the Purina thing…I wouldn’t trust ANY of their
    products with my Sheltie’s lives. They didn’t die from this bag (which was almost finished)…but what about the next?….This is so scary!

83. Martin says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 3:29 pm

    I would trust Purina either. Most if not ALL of their products have wheat gluten….even the prescription diets.

    They need to dump everything and start from scratch. But will they,….NO. The reason is it would cost them too much money. What is more important life or money? We as pet owners would choose life. The pet food companies would choose the money. They should be forced to eat their own product before distributing it.

84. Martin says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 3:31 pm

    correction to last post.

    I WOULDNT trust Purina. (missed the ‘nt)

85. Anonymous says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm

    Deanna, with all due respect, how can you come to 5CatMom’s defence when her linking assumed problems with Beneful is based on it containing ChemNutra wheat gluten? Beneful does not contain wheat gluten and yes, the ingredients ARE listed on their website. Enough with the hearsay already.

86. Joanne says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm

    j

87. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    FYI,

    In some of the conversation regarding cat diets, concern has been expressed regarding the increased protein level in some of the super no grain products. Is it safe for an older cat?

    So I called a vet in town, who is a holistic vet. She said the higher protein levels should not harm a HEALTHY cat of any age.

    HOWEVER, a cat with kidney damage, regardless of age, should avoid a high protein diet.

    As cats age, their kidney function may be reduced, but until the function is greatly reduced, they have no symptoms.

    Her very strong recomendation was: Talk to a competent vet who is knowledgable about nutrition (not all are) and have your cat tested to determine it’s health status.

    Could some of the nutrition experts could weigh in on this?

88. Tracy says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:03 pm

    Life’s Abundance by Healthy Pet Net (verified by company 3/28/07)

    One product manufactured by Menu Foods but not in the suspect facility
    Most products are manufactured by Ohio Pet Foods
    Products do not contain wheat gluten or corn
    All products are human quality

    Sam-This is what I was referring to. It isn’t so much that Menu Foods was or was not responsible, to me it is that they test on animals. I think anyone who uses Menu Foods for anything should be boycotted. But that is just me. We can’t just defend the animals who died from the accidental poisoning deaths, we need to do something to defend the animals used by Menu Foods who died too. By the way, I like healthypetnet too! They have great service.

89. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

    Sam,

    Here’s the short answer: MENU put it in the food.

    It was MENU’s plant. It was MENU’s manufacturing process.

    Purina sent them a recipe that called for “wheat gluten”.

    Purina shouldn’t have to also tell them “use the wheat gluten WITHOUT the 6% Melamine”.

    However, I do fault Purina and others, for not ENSURING that MENU’S
    process was in control.

    It’s Purina’s responsibility to AUDIT their suppliers. Purina and others should have gone into the plant, pulled samples, and run their own tests on the incoming raw materials and also on the finished product before it was shipped out to customers.

    As I have written previously: We’re talking about food - not a pair of flip flops.

90. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:14 pm

    Anonymous,

    Hon, please re-read my post.

    I know there’s no wheat gluten in BENEFUL. It’s not about the wheat gluten.

    If you’re confident about your food, because you’ve done the research, then use it.

    Can anyone do a better job of explaining this? Help please.

91. Anonymous says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

    5CatMom, it’s not about the wheat gluten? Please reread yourself:

    5CatMom said: “The problem with BENEFUL is that it’s made by PURINA. They received a shipment of gluten directly from ChemNutra the China Source Experts and they obviously didn’t test it. Otherwise they’d have found the gluten.”

    I’m sorry, but not only are these reports about problems with Beneful unsubstantiated hearsay, but your post is awfully wrong. I assume consumer backlash is preventing them from suing people because I see plenty of these ridiculous statements.

    My dog has been on Beneful for a few years and is doing just fine, shinier coat than ever. Their not using wheat gluten is even more reason to continue using it.

92. P.from MI says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:27 pm

    My cat Jazzer has a cardiac problem. I have been feeding him Iams Indoor dry catfood (I also have two others who eat this.) and fancy feast
    wet . He also takes his meds in a Whiska’s treat(I think that’s name, I’m not at home to check the treat bag.) I am very concerned, I took him to the cardiologist last month. I was told he had lost weight which was a good thing, BUT not as fast as he had lost it! I believe he is still losing weight. Having a blood test was mentioned for… when you get around to it. I asked about the food as maybe being a problem, but it was dismissed. Money is close, I spent what I had for the cardiologist. What do I do now?

93. Info says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 4:44 pm

    With NO Press Release, Menu Sneaks More Pet Pride for Cats Onto Recall List

    http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm
    Pet Pride-Cat Food

    Sliced Variety Pack 3oz
    Can
    3oz
    11110-86003
    Nov/06/09
    Dec/05/09
    Dec/06/09
    Jan/23/10
    Jan/24/10

    http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html
    http://www.menufoods.com/recall/Cat/Pet Pride_040907.htm
    Pet Pride Last Updated: April 11, 2007

    http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html
    Recalled Cat Product Information
    Last Updated: April 11, 2007

    Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - Canada
    April 10, 2007
    Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - US
    April 10, 2007

    The above is the only item different from what was posted 4/10/07–no other additions to cat recalls and none whatsoever to dog recalls.

94. Valerie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 5:01 pm

    I found this to be so helpful with feeding my cats.
    http://www.catinfo.org/makingcatfood.htm
    They had to be started slowly so they could get used to texture,taste etc.
    I also save out pieces of my dinner ( meats) for them. Now when they see me with a plate they are actually interested in my dinner! LOL! I really don’t care since I just want them healthy. They were being fed 9 Lives dry and canned, after reading labels- No more!
    Please remember that organ meats are vital to keep things balanced.
    I make my own wet doggy food and treats. I don’t trust any of the big name companies and I am spreading the word!
    I am not wealthy but the whole foods and holistic dry food is well worth it in the end, compared to vet visits!
    Some other interesting info:

    http://web.archive.org/web/200...../index.htm

95. Deanna says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

    Anonymous:
    Please…I’m glad that your pet is fine after years of eating Beneful..so are mine..But with this massive recall which includes 2 Purina brands(yes, I know they’re wet food)….I just don’t feel comfortable making Beneful the next choice for them…….and that’s where I was agreeing with 5CatMom about….the whole trust issue that she mentioned. BTW, thanks for that web
    site….I really couldn’t find it before (I took a notebook to a retailer instead)….anyways…did you see the Garlic oil? You do know that Garlic is not good for Dogs right? Even in minute amounts the accumulative affect of injesting it every day cannot be good for them…That’s another reason that I’m not feeding Beneful to them anymore.

96. Deanna says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    Anonymous…..sorry I didn’t mention in my last post……I never stated that Beneful contained wheat Glute as an ingredient and I’m sorry if I gave you that impression…..peace out!

    Has anyone heard of any other recalls than the latest by Menu? My friends have pets too and I like to keep them ALL updated as much as possible…seeing as the Media isn’t the most reliable source of info regarding this issue!

97. 5CatMom says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 6:04 pm

    P. from MI,

    Many people on the blog have experience with sick animals. And even though, it’s not the same as getting help from your vet, maybe they can offer some help.

98. Rocky says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 6:46 pm

    Info,

    That sounds like new and important information. Send an email to itchmo along with a link, and ask them to check it out.

    I don’t see it in their headlines, but the Rockster took a short break, and came back in a state of total confusion.

    Man, I may need a new bottle of JD, just to get through the night! Just kidding, the Rockster never touches adult beverages.

99. Anonymous says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 6:59 pm

    Deanna Says: “You do know that Garlic is not good for Dogs right? Even in minute amounts the accumulative affect of injesting it every day cannot be good for them”

    What? Trace amounts of garlic oil acts as an antioxidant that also helps control ticks and fleas, a natural alternative to spraying pets with chemicals. Eat 50 cloves on a single day and yes, you or your pet could develop hemolytic anemia.

100. Louie says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:15 pm

     Anonymous,

     I read 5CatMom’s post like this:

     She was merely stating 2 facts.

     Fact No. 1 BENEFUL is “made” by Purina.

     Fact No. 2 Purina received wheat gluten from ChemNutra.

     Nowhere does 5CatMom say Purina put the gluten in BENEFUL. Am I missing something here?

     The relationship, or “link” as you call it, between the two above facts is that the company that “made” the one, made the other.

     Do you believe Purina’s corporate phylosophy sets one standard of quality for their recalled products, and different (higher) standard for BENEFUL?

     Also, don’t underestimate the value of anecdotal evidence, it ain’t exactly science, but it brought down big tobacco.

     Your loyalty to your BRAND is, to a large degree, why we have this debacle.

     Do your own research, analyze the facts, and decide for yourself.
     If you like BENEFUL, then feed it. I don’t use it anymore, but if I did, I’d keep my eye on that recall list.

     I didn’t read where 5CatMom says Purina put the wheat gluten in the
     BENEFUL.

101. Anonymous says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:24 pm

     Sure Louie, I’d completely understand that had she stopped at the second paragraph. But then she goes on to say:

     Other ingredients are also suspect, like Corn Gluten.

     Brand loyalty has nothing to do with, I’m against the evils of corporate America as much as any other person. But her post was sent to me by a concerned family member, I get here and it’s all hearsay and wives’ tales.

102. Mary says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:24 pm

     Anonymous, you need to challenge 5CatMom on the facts, not some imagined link.

     Also, it’s helpful to be able to discern the difference between theory, fact, conclusion, and opinion.

     This blog is great because you get a combination of all of the above. But some of the material is complicated. Careful reading is required.

103. Louie says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:27 pm

     A,

     That sounds like a family issue. Don’t blame 5CatMom.

104. Anonymous says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:40 pm

     Oh, I get it now, this is where lonely house wives conjure up baseless conspiracy theories. How helpful of them, it’ll surely help solve the current crisis.

105. Nancy G. says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 7:52 pm

     Mr. Anonymous,

     Don’t believe 5CatMom said “tainted with melamine” - just tainted.

     There’s more than one kind of “tainted”.

     Also, there’s a lot of GMO corn out there. Check this out:

     http://www.saveourseeds.org/do....._bt10.html

106. connie vilardo says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:04 pm

     whats good whats bad? does anyone really know this week/month?

     for years I have used pedigree dry & friskies dry & everyone has been fine. Ive uses pedigree canned, alpo canned, friskies canned , 9 lives, & store brands & everyones been fine.
     A free sample of beneful & hey the dogs like it..we’ll try it (cause as a human would you want to eat cheerios your whole life). They did fine.
     I switched to INDOOR catfood cause I had a cat reguritating right after she’d eat & she’d not do it with the smaller pieces.
     Still no one got ill. one day the dogs said naaa we dont want this(beneful) anymore so I went back to pedigree. however since the culprit appears to be wheat gluten(for now) if the bag of WHATEVER Im buying says wheat gluten, Im NOT buying.
     As a pet food temp alternative???? Dads pet food(cheap) is made in PA & so far Ive seen none of theirs recalled. or friskies for that matter.
     canned? cant do it..wont do it , for now. a whole chicken at the store costs roughly $3.00. Boil it, de-bone it, add some cooked rice…youve got food for a week(depending on the size of your friend) the cats picked out the carrots & green beans & threw them on the floor, the dogs cleaned em up :) or…
     invite your friend to have the same supper youre having.
     40 yrs ago most pets got table scraps. granted it may not have been balanced for pets, but they werent being poisoned on a wide spread basis.

     garlic & onions not good for critters? see how many brands DO have it in?

     razors arent good for dogs either but that didnt stop mine from eating one!

     wouldnt moderation be acceptable here? for extra flavor..thats why people use it. everythings bad in excess, for people or critters.
     this whole issue, will fix, eventually & I suspect the petfood industry has gotten the message. Have you been into your local stores lately & seen how pet food sales have been affected???? Our walmart shelves
     (2230 st college PA) stay nearly full EVERY DAY NOW. Thats what I call most effective!!! Fix it or we wont buy it.
     Shame we cant pull off the same effect with gas :)

107. Deanna says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:09 pm

     Anonymous…..Re:”the lonely housewives”

     Everyone makes mistakes..or has info to relate that you may or may not agree with. But insulting people doesn’t make things better. Some people are hear for support and comfort after the loss of their loved one and want to learn what happened to them…Out of all the comments that I have read,and there has been so many, only one other besides you has made rude comments. If you don’t like what you’re seeing….you have other options….but please respect the feelings of others here during this stressful and confusing time…….Thank you!

108. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

     Anonymous Says:

     April 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
     Deanna, with all due respect, how can you come to 5CatMom’s defence when her linking assumed problems with Beneful is based on it containing ChemNutra wheat gluten? Beneful does not contain wheat gluten and yes, the ingredients ARE listed on their website. Enough with the hearsay already.

     I’m coming to her defence…..Here is what’s in Beneful. Posted on website and looking at the package in my hand. Wheat Gluten is there!!!! PURINA!!! Heres the website: http://www.beneful.com/product.....icken.aspx

     Water sufficient for processing, chicken, wheat gluten, liver, green beans, meat by-products, corn starch-modified, carrots, wild rice, white rice, natural & artificial flavors, salt, dicalcium phosphate, soy flour, potassium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, added color, zinc sulfate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, potassium iodide, folic acid, sodium selenite, biotin. A-4064

109. Info says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:42 pm

     Rocky, let me try this again re: Menu’s sneaking Pet Pride Cat Food Recall information onto its website without a Press Release; my e-mail to info@itchmo bounced back to me.

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....Canada.htm

     Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - Canada
     April 10, 2007

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....2007US.htm

     Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - US
     April 10, 2007

     Here you see yesterday’s Menu Press Releases regarding the recalls–nothing there more recent than yesterday. But take a trip here:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

     and specifically here:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

     Recalled Dog Product Information
     Last Updated: April 10, 2007

     and here:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

     Recalled Cat Product Information
     Last Updated: April 11, 2007

     And you see that something’s been updated in the cat food section today. So you go down the cat food listings at:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

     And this catches your eye:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm

     Pet Pride Last Updated: April 11, 2007

     You compare what’s there with the recall list at AVMA–line by line for the Pet Pride products:

     http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoo.....oducts.asp

     http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoo.....s.asp#cats

     And you discover that this is missing from the AVMA list and this is what Menu changed today, with no Press Release.

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm

     Nov/06/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Dec/05/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Dec/06/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Jan/23/10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Jan/24/10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride

110. Anonymous says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:43 pm

     Martin Says: I will come to her defence as well

     I guess my link to their website and ingredients wasn’t convincing enough. How bout a source for your ingredients?

     No I don’t work for Purina, are you 5CatMom’s husband?

111. Anonymous says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:46 pm

     Hey that was a quick edit of your post, work for Itchmo too?

     I guess their ‘wet’ food does contain wheat gluten, I’m sure that’s what she was referring to.

112. Info says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:52 pm

     Rocky, I’ll try it here again re: Menu’s sneaking more Pet Pride products onto their recall list today without a press release–my mail to info@itchmo.com bounced back to me.

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....Canada.htm

     Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - Canada April 10, 2007

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....2007US.htm

     Menu Foods Voluntarily Recalls Additional Pet Food Made With ChemNutra Wheat Gluten - US April 10, 2007

     Last Press Releases from Menu–dated yesterday.

     Go to their recall page at:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

     and you see this:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

     Recalled Dog Product Information Last Updated: April 10, 2007

     and this:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

     Recalled Cat Product Information Last Updated: April 11, 2007

     So you know that something’s been added there today–without a Press Release. Going into the cat food brands at:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

     gets you this:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm

     Pet Pride Last Updated: April 11, 2007

     So you take the information at:

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm

     and compare it line by line to the Pet Pride products on the AVMA recall list at:

     http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoo.....oducts.asp

     http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoo.....s.asp#cats

     http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....040907.htm

     The above has the following below on it, where the AVMA list does not:

     Nov/06/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Dec/05/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Dec/06/09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Jan/23/10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride
     Jan/24/10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003 Pet Pride

113. Itchmo Admin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:52 pm

     Anonymous, we appreciate your comments, but we would all benefit from a better tone.

114. connie vilardo says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:58 pm

     ppsstt hey all..go here & read :http://www.doggybling.com/newsarticle.php?id=1099
     this one is on Beneful. I read it, called my vet & said add this to the list. I’ll give him the 5 pg report when I finish work in the am.

115. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

     Anonymous,

     The ingredients came directly from their website dear. WHEAT GLUTEN IS IN THEIR PRODUCT!

     http://www.beneful.com/product.....icken.aspx

     No, I am not 5Cats husband. If you dont work for Purina that’s fine. It would be nice to hear from someone who did. My question to you is:

     Why are you here on this website?

     To bash 5Cat and the rest of us? What’s the point?

     5Cat and the rest of us here are trying to be helpful to others not fight with someone named Anonymous or one that doesnt have the guts to provide a name. 5Cat has had some good advise as do many others. Anonymous you have not and your posts are very argumentative. It’s apparent you just want to fight and argue. That’s not what we are here for.

116. connie vilardo says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:00 pm

     & yes I WAS feeding my dogs beneful, alternating bags with pedigree. was. is this why I now have a diabetic dog(7yrs old & suddenly got ill. was diagnosed diabetic in jan)

117. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:03 pm

     Itchmo Admin Says:

     April 11th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
     Anonymous, we appreciate your comments, but we would all benefit from a better tone.

     Thanks Itchmo.

118. Anonymous says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:09 pm

     Martin Says: To bash 5Cat and the rest of us? What’s the point?

     Martin, I explained what brought me here and the problem with baseless wives’ tales when people are out trying to make sense of this pet food crisis. You want to —- —- me for it that’s fine, but at least someone will have tried to explain how disingenuous it is.

     ITCHMO ADMIN: Anonymous, please consider this your first warning. We understand that you want to help clarify things, but please keep your language and tone more G-rated.

119. Lorie says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:13 pm

     My cats like I stated earlier were made sick by Purina Fancy Feast see above. Spoke to a woman at Purina today wants me to snd my product in for testing. I am sure they want it to throw it away. Any advice?

120. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:21 pm

     Anonymous,

     I dont know what brought you here but I can say this has been a peaceful board until you arrived. We are trying to help and comfort one another and try to figure out what is best for our pets. It could be that your advise will be more accepted elsewhere.

     I will not reply to any more of your posts and would gather the rest of us may not either. Try to have a good evening and we hope your pets are well and safe.

121. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:37 pm

     Lorie Says:

     April 11th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
     My cats like I stated earlier were made sick by Purina Fancy Feast see above. Spoke to a woman at Purina today wants me to snd my product in for testing. I am sure they want it to throw it away. Any advice?

     Lorie,
     Send it to an independent lab for testing. Do not send the product to them.

122. Rocky says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

     Info,

     Try this email address:

     ben@itchmo.com

     Sounds like your info maybe needs to be a headline.

123. Virginia Adams says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

     My cat became ill on Hills Prescription Diet K/D dry food. The symptoms were similar to those mentioned with the recalled foods. This K/D dry food hasn’t been on any recalled lists and I was told it didn’t contain the wheat gluten when I returned it to the vet. So I think something additional is going on that we don’t know about as yet. (My cat is recovering nicely since I changed her food to Fancy Feast “Ocean Fish Feast” canned food, but now that may be suspect too. Life is scary.)

124. 5CatMom says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 11:17 pm

     Hi guys,

     Thanks for all the help today. ‘Ol 5CatMom had to break and get her BP medicine.

     Very sorry to stir up such a hornet’s nest. Would not want to see this blog get shut down as some others have been.

     FYI, there does seem to be an error in one of my previous posts, as I stated that there’s no wheat gluten in Beneful. I did actually look at a bag in the store today, but must have missed it.

     So many sad stories posted here. My reason for being here is to learn from the experiences of others, and to try and work with everyone to solve this terrible problem.

     I share Martin’s concerns (see his 12:13 post) about the existing food supply, and (finally) talked with Hill’s today about this issue regarding all Brans, not just Hill’s. Had to get my vet to have them call me, but the lady listened very well and took down lot’s of comments. So if you’re having trouble getting through, maybe your vet can get you connected.

     Also (finally) talked with the FDA coordinator for this area. He also took down lots of info about my cat who died, etc. One part of the interview was: What can the FDA do to help. So I gave him my opinion, all of them, for at least an hour. Hopefully, some of it will get back to those who can do something.

     Will check my notes and may post more details of both conversations tomorrow, if there’s anything important, but must turn in for tonight.

     Take care all.

     ITCHMO ADMIN: We won’t let anyone shut us down.

125. Martin says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 11:27 pm

     Thanks for the info 5CatMom & for all the research you are doing. You didnt stir up a hornets nest at all. We want to protect those who are trying to help and you are one of them. Have a good night and God Bless.

126. MELISSA says:
     April 11th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

     I THINK IT’S A TOTAL DISGRACE HOW PET OWNERS ARE BEING TREATED BY THESE PET FOOD CO.’S MY GOD THESE ARE OUR PETS THAT HAVE DIED. LITTLE KIDS CAN’T STOP CRYING AND DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR BEST FRIEND DIED FROM JUST EATING THEIR FOOD.THIS IS HEARTBREAKING.MENU FOODS ,I FEEL EVERY ONE THERE NEEDS TO FACE JAIL TIME AND WHO EVER DID THIS IN CHINA SHOULD BE ARRESTED BY ARE GOV. THIS IS THE BIGGEST RECALL IN HISTORY FOR PET FOOD AND EVEN SADDER THE HIGHEST DEATH TOLL FOR PETS.

127. Jen in vermont says:
     April 12th, 2007 at 12:28 am

     Hello everyone, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their great info. I too believe that there is some thing going on with beneful my grams baby was getting sick and stop eatting it and as soon as I found that artical on beneful on doggybling I told her to stop feeding it, now she seems to be doing a lot better. I my self have 4 babies and up until the recall of Alpo ,that is what they were eating . Now I refuse to feed them any canned food and they aren’t to happy but at this point there isn’t many that don’t have wheat gluten or is not made by menu. I did change their dry to natures variety and I know that menu makes their wet but does anyone have any negative feedback on the dry and I did get some of the raw diet, my older babies like but the young ones are not sure what to do with it they seem to like to mush it in the floor and roll on it. one worried momma not sure what to feed any more. I do feed them table food. To all of you have lost your special someone our hearts go out to you.
     Jen, Babygirl, sherry,cronic and sairin

128. tammy says:
     April 12th, 2007 at 12:39 am

     I just purchased a brand new bag of purina one today, but ya’ll have me scared now. I looked at the ingredients and it does not include wheat gluten, but it DOES have corn gluten. I’ve decided to put it aside for now and just make my own treats and food. I can surely find some sources online for healthy recipes. I guess I can supplement with vitamins. At least I’ll know that my 4 year old poodle will not be poisoned. Even if there ends up being lawsuits, that can’t bring back the lost “loved ones”. My heart goes out to all that have lost pets.

129. Iluvmypets says:
     April 12th, 2007 at 10:33 am

     I need help…I thought I had read all of the pedigree cans well…well evidently I missed something…after my small dog got sick, he had eaten a variety of can pedigree mixed with purina one dry…(I also had put down some beneful in a seperate bowl) becasue I was trying to get away from the purina one…so I took the beneful bowl away..after reading some posts on beneful. So last night I was reading the cans of pedigree, I give him a variety of flavors..the ckn n rice seems no wheat gluten, but the cuts and gravy does..It went in the trash..the one he had been eating the last 4 days was the beef,bacon,cheese…and yep its got the wheat gluten..Even though pedigree cans have not been recalled…I am trying to find out where (Masterfoods) or Mars get their wheat gluten..??? Any info????

130. Julie says:
     April 12th, 2007 at 1:23 pm

     Iluvmypets:

     Quit looking for recalled brands and read the lable ingredients. Do not feed your pets with anything that has any kind of Gluten, wheat gluten, corn gluten or soy gluten until they have proven that they are safe.

     Also check treats. I found it was the treats that sickened my cat. She just drank water today for the first time in 8 days. I’ve kept her hydrated with a little tuna juice each morning. She nows appears back to normal after 8 days of lethargy. I’m having her treats tested at Washington State University.

131. teric says:
     April 12th, 2007 at 5:15 pm

     Julie Says:

     April 12th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
     Iluvmypets:

     Quit looking for recalled brands and read the lable ingredients. Do not feed your pets with anything that has any kind of Gluten, wheat gluten, corn gluten or soy gluten until they have proven that they are safe.

     Good advise Julie!!!!!! In fact, even when they say gluten is safe, I’m going to avoid it.

132. connie says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am

     New day, new message.
     1st Im sorry there needs to be a website for this.
     2nd Im thankful its here.’
     I went to doggybling.com wed nite & read the horror stories on Beneful, which I had been feeding to my 2 dogs. I was cured that nite from buying it again, & persuaded others to opt for something else, telling all look for wheat gluten in the label, if it has it, avoid it. Beneful however does NOT have it, is this correct? yet it seems to be the biggest purina product at fault.

     I went back to the website yesterday & went to the home page(I only have so many hrs per day) & found to my horror its not just beneful, but many PURINA products. Purina??? that means My pet food supply is in jeopardy, because purina cat, friskies, meowmix & how many dog foods are made by purina???
     Let me add Ive fed my cats friskies, or 9 lives, or meowmix, or even purina one for the last 30 yrs & there has NEVER been an issue. Dogs were mainly on Pedigree dry & alpo or pedigree canned. Now Im sad to say that because of everything Im reading I am afraid to feed my 21 friends ANY dry & refuse to use any canned. So as of today everyone is on chicken & rice & veggis until & unless I find a dry food thats safe ( & doesnt cost me my 1st born).
     Now I need to report something I found very disturbing that I found out while at work. Im reporting to 20 people at a time about which products are killing & making pets ill, & while at work yesterday, in 25 people(!!) we

     have 2 dogs who have died & 3 who are ill.
     Heres the breakdown. 1 dead was fed beneful.
     2 ill were fed beneful.
     1 dead was fed purina one & the last ill one was eating purina puppy. needless to say the 2 whos dogs died were floored to find out their brand of dogfood looks to be the culprit. & all the ill ones are now eating something else. 5 ill or dead in one building on the same brand of food…..CANT be a horrible coincidence!!!!!!!!!
     Now I have a question & any info will be appreciated. I know Ive received emails from mars, about pedigree & goodlife recipe being safe…are there any consistant reports of any dogs getting ill from pedigree & any dogs or cats on goodlife recipe???
     you can respond here or to my email grummpy@excite.com
     thanks all & thank you Itchmo for being here.

133. Anonymous says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 8:21 pm

     connie Says: I went to doggybling.com wed nite & read the horror stories on Beneful, which I had been feeding to my 2 dogs.

     doggybling has the lackluster honor of making it on snopes.com urban legends. Both independent labs and Purina investigated the issue, it’s a very sad case of hysteria and threats if you read doggybling’s email.

134. connie says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 9:57 pm

     2 dogs dead, 3 ill within 2 months. all were being fed purina products at the time the illnesses started & its just hysteria? I dont buy that answer. That many unrelated dogs dont get sick on a product in that short of a time for no reason. I know nothing about threats towards Purina or whoever you were referring to, all I DO know is I have 1 healthy dog(same food) & one sick dog. Another pet parent with a sick beneful dog & a distraught pet parent with a dead beneful dog. We knew nothing of the dangers of this dog food until the past 3 days!

135. Martin says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 11:41 pm

     Connie,

     Beneful has had much action on this website as other websites. Most if not all have been negative except for one Anonymous individual indicating it’s the best food around. Due to the majority of negative remarks about Beneful & the fact it does contain wheat gluten I would feel comfortable using it.

     The link below rates dog foods staring with a score of 100. It deducts points for bad ingredients & adds points for good ingredients.

     Chart Scores the products as follows:
     100+ = A+ 94-100=A 86-93 = B 76-85 = C 75 or lower= Failed

     Beneful scored 2nd to last with a score of 17 F

     Purina Beneful / Score 17 F

     2nd to last was

     Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F

     http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/ratingpetfood.htm

136. Martin says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 11:44 pm

     Correction:

     Last place was

     Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F

137. Jen in vermont says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 11:48 pm

     anonymous says
     doggybling has the lackluster honor of making it on snopes.com urban legends. Both independent labs and Purina investigated the issue, it’s a very sad case of hysteria and threats if you read doggybling’s email.

     I have been reading all that you have said in the last few days and begin to wonder if you don’t work for purina!!!! Don’t care much with what you have to say my grams baby got really sick from eating beneful and now is doing better not eating it any more. Their is more going on then anybody knows.
     They also said they had tested that canned cat food and it was fine, yea right . The lady had it tested and it indeed was contaminated so go figure. I believe these pet food companies are trying to save their own asses . You can keep feeding it if you must I feel sorry for your dogs!!!!!!!!!

138. Martin says:
     April 13th, 2007 at 11:59 pm

     Ditto your comments exactly Jen!!!!!

139. Martin says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 12:00 am

     This is the one that got me.

     Anonymous Says:

     April 11th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
     Oh, I get it now, this is where lonely house wives conjure up baseless conspiracy theories. How helpful of them, it’ll surely help solve the current crisis.

140. Martin says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 12:06 am

     Correction again to my post about Beneful.

     I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE USING IT.

     Either my fingers are tired or my keybord isnt working…….

141. Jen in vermont says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 12:27 am

     I also have to say that I have been feeding alpo for years to my four dogs. And I have to tell you I was mad that they waited 3 weeks to recall and again who makes alpo purina. I e-mailed them 2 and half weeks ago and they just e-mailed me back today with a bunch of crap and someone would call me in a couple of days. At this point I don’t care. Have stopped feeding all canned food until this gets fixed. My babys are not happy but some table food and they will live at least. All are will after all that canned food for so long. We just got lucky. And we feel for everyone that has lost or has a sick furbabie. our prayer to you.

142. Anonymous says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 9:54 am

     Martin Says: “Beneful has had much action on this website as other websites. Most if not all have been negative except for one Anonymous individual indicating it’s the best food around. Due to the majority of negative remarks about Beneful & the fact it does contain wheat gluten I would feel comfortable using it.”

     Hysteria is disgraceful, but now you’re being deceitful. I said Beneful is what I’ve been feeding my dog for a few years and that he has a shinier coat than ever. Their kibbles do not contain wheat glutin and judging from the pile of bags my local store gets every week, I’m far from being the only one feeding it. Anonymous screen names like 5CatMom advising people what they shouldn’t feed their pets, based on an urban legend, is just as disgraceful. I have not been telling people what they should or shouldn’t feed their pets, anonymously or otherwise.

     Don’t let an isolated case and independent lab testing appease your hysteria though, get the FBI on it :)

     Purina learned about the unfortunate deaths of two dogs in the Huntsville, Texas, area. Concerns were raised about the possible link between consumption of Purina’s Beneful dry dog food and the deaths of the two dogs. Purina takes these matters seriously, and initiated a thorough investigation. Purina’s quality testing, including testing at independent laboratories, confirm the safety and efficacy of our products and confirm that the two dogs’ unfortunate deaths were unrelated to our product.

     Importantly, one of the Huntsville, Texas, consumers also requested product testing through her veterinarian. The veterinarian submitted a sample of product to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for aflatoxin analysis. We received confirmation from the consumer’s veterinarian late Monday, Feb. 5, that the results for aflatoxin were negative.

     Additionally, we have conducted physical inspections and analytical testing, all of which confirm that our Beneful dry dog food products are safe, and meet all quality assurance specifications. Purina initiated the testing, which was conducted by an independent third party analytical laboratory, as part of its investigation related to the two Huntsville consumer contacts. As soon as we could contact the consumers to verify product code and packaging information, we secured finished product from our factories with the same production run and date code as the products in question and submitted the samples for testing. We received test results for the samples late Monday, Feb. 5, and the results confirmed the safety and quality of the products made at our factories. More specifically, the samples showed no presence of aflatoxin.

     Because the quality and safety of our products and the trust of our consumers are top priorities, Purina took additional steps, including visiting the store in Huntsville, Texas, to confirm the quality of product at retail. We obtained additional samples for any available product matching date codes and production runs related to these consumer contacts. We then submitted samples of the product for analytical testing, which also showed no presence of aflatoxin.

     We at Purina are saddened to hear of the loss of these consumers’ pets and appreciate the opportunity to investigate and demonstrate how seriously we take matters of this kind. We stand firmly behind the high quality of our products and reassure consumers that they can continue to feed Purina products with total confidence.

     http://www.snopes.com/critters.....eneful.asp

143. Martin says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 11:45 am

     All I have to say to you Anonymous is:

     If it’s so wonderful - You Eat It!!! I will refrain from other comments you made.

     To all the nice folks on this board:

     I dont care to waste my time arguing with a product pumper and dont think the rest of you do either. Here are just a few comments Anonymous has had for us over the past few days.

     Anonymous Says:
     *Hysteria is disgraceful, but now you’re being deceitful.
     *doggybling has the lackluster honor of making it on snopes.com urban legends. Both independent labs and Purina investigated the issue, it’s a very sad case of hysteria and threats.
     *You want to —- —- me for it that’s fine, but at least someone will have tried to explain how disingenuous it is.
     *Hey that was a quick edit of your post, work for Itchmo too?
     *Oh, I get it now, this is where lonely house wives conjure up baseless conspiracy theories. How helpful of them, it’ll surely help solve the current crisis.
     *I guess my link to their website and ingredients wasn’t convincing enough. How bout a source for your ingredients? No I don’t work for Purina, are you 5CatMom’s husband?
     *I get here and it’s all hearsay and wives’ tales.
     *Beneful unsubstantiated hearsay, but your post is awfully wrong. I assume consumer backlash is preventing them from suing people because I see plenty of these ridiculous statements.
     *but more like ranting fools.
     *Anonymous screen names like 5CatMom advising people what they shouldn’t feed their pets, based on an urban legend, is just as disgraceful.
     —————————————————————————–
     Nice individual huh????????? :-{

     To all concerned about what to feed do your own research and choose what you believe is what best. I found this that I thought was quite interesting about how pet foods are rated. I didnt write it or score the foods myself nor am I promoting any product. I’m making my own food at the moment. I hope this is helpful.

     http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/ratingpetfood.htm

     Canidae / Score 117 A+
     Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 127 A+
     Dick Van Patten’s Duck and Potato / Score 111 A+
     Foundations / Score 111 A+
     Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 100 A
     Innova Evo / Score 129 A+
     Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 102 A+
     Pro Series Holistic 120 A+
     Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 F
     Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
     Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
     Purina Dog / Score 62 F
     Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
     Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
     Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F

144. Anonymous says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 12:51 pm

     Martin Says: Nice individual huh????????? :-{

     So that’s what it’s about, my diplomatic skills aren’t as polished as you’d like them to be? Enlighten people with facts (like the rating list you posted) not borderline hysteria and maybe you’ll get some well deserved respect.

145. Martin says:
     April 14th, 2007 at 12:58 pm

     I think it is you that isnt respected or welcome on this board.

     Does anyone else agree????

146. SaraL says:
     April 15th, 2007 at 1:21 am

     On April 10, this week, I bought the Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice formula, which is a top of the line dog food, and ALL FIVE OF MY DOGS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH DIFFERING DEGREES OF KIDNEY FAILURE. My oldest, Peewee, is the worst with the liver affected as well and may not survive. Itsy, my child and the youngest is in the next worst condition and my heart is breaking. I came home yesterday to an empty house that had no wagging, licking welcoming bodies and it is horrible. Lulu seems to be best and may be allowed home tomorrow. The others are wait and see.

     Please, please check all the animal recall lists and sites and don’t go through what I am going through. I talked to the dog food manufacturer today and they told me they are recalling this particular product as they have gotten a few other complaints. My dog food was a dry kibble and not canned. My cat who was put on Royal Canin by the vet may also have to be checked out as his food has been added to the recall. This is no “mass hysteria” syndrome on my part.

     The symptoms my dogs showed were excessive water intake, vomiting and in Peewees’s case he was urinating pure water as his kidneys and liver were being damaged. We are sending the dog food to a lab and also the urine and blood samples from the 2 worst for analysis to see if they can detemine what toxin caused this. To repeat: I purchased the food on April 10 and I now have 5 dogs in the hospital today, April 14th, fighting for their lives with kidney failure. Please pray for my critters health. I am bereft without them.

147. PATTY says:
     April 15th, 2007 at 10:19 am

     THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH ABOUT HELPING US ANIMAL LOVERS.I HAVE 2 DOGS AND THEY “ARE MY BABIES”, I MUST GIVE THEM EVERY TREAT IT SEEMS LIKE ON THE MARKET ALONG WITH DIFFERENT DOG FOODS AND I STARTED FREAKING OUT ABOUT ALL THIS BULL####. I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WEBSITE AND GODBLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR INVESTIGATING THIS ETC. THANK YOU AGAIN,SINCERELY PATTY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

148. e wem says:
     April 15th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

     Referring to Purina, or Nestle-Purina. Nestle the owner of Purina has built a pet food factory in China to use Chinese ingredients in the Tianjin Municipality in north China began operating on Friday according to the Xinhua internet article dated 02-02-07.

     ” …Nestle invested 80 million yuan (10.26 million U.S. dollars) in the plant and it has an annual production ability of 20,000 tons. It is the company’s first pet food plant in China.

     The plant will use local-purchased raw materials including bean, corn and wheat. Its products will be sold in supermarkets, pet clinics and pet shops…”

     I have lost trust. My cat just threw up again.

     Not only that. The contaminated wheat gluten, which strangely still has not all been accounted for, even though it has to be imported, was marked for Human Consumption.

     Here is my worry. Were the cats the canaries in the coal mine? Cats seem to be more sensitive to the toxic ingredients.

     Was the toxic food intended for pets or for humans? Was the poison only discovered because the premium pet food makers wanted to use ‘Human Approved’ ingredients for their premium pet foods, so toxins that mught have escaped notice and caused low level illness, cancers, birth defects, or God knows what else down the road in humans was discovered only because the perpetrators didn’t know cats were going to get it and drop dead right away?

     I researched wheat gluten after my cats got sick. China sends millions of pounds of wheat gluten to the US. Wheat gluten is used in stuff like chicken nuggets. Were we eating it too?

     Why hasn’t the FDA announced the location of all 10,000 pounds that were shipped?

     Maybe our dear pets have revealed a terrible trend that could be poisoning humans too?

     Itchmo is the greatest site. People aren’t here to spread rumors. They are here to share real life information because their pets are sick and dying. We are trying to save our pets.

     I will not let my pet die to prove a point from some corporation that didn’t care if my babies croaked

149. connie says:
     April 15th, 2007 at 1:41 pm

     If I read correctly earlier didnt say we imported 10,000 of wheat tons A YEAR?? not just in the past 5 months.
     another item Im noticing that seems to differ depending on where I read, was the gluten marked food grade or feed grade & where is this information?
     I as well, am cooking. most recipes I see for cats basically say feed them raw. All I can say is I have 19 cats & 2 days & 20lbs of chicken later, this isnt feasable for me. any of you ever try to debone 20# of raw ckn?? recipes also say grind whole carcas, bones & all(no grinder)food processor took care of some wing bones but I still had to pick through & sift out all the pieces too big for my comfort(1/2 fingernail was too big for me), so if these kids o mine are getting ckn its gonna have to be either cooked & then deboned or raw skinless boneless breasts. pork neck bones had plenty o meat on them, but that was a chore getting it off too. I think tomorrow we’re all just having meatloaf for supper!

150. Ashley Grandy says:
     April 20th, 2007 at 9:13 am

     hi guys i love this site., i come on here everyday byebye../e mail me sometime at ashley_grandy@hotmail.com byebye love you

151. connie says:
     April 22nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm

     Im not done reading yet today but I see virtually the same as I read. By now Im CERTAIN a lot of people want something, ANYTHING, that if it contains grains, they were GROWN in this country. The most accessable I found on www.thepetfoodlist.com ironically is a food I thought was a cheap junky food(sorry not intending to slam them, but its what I thought for years) is Dad’s. Im happy to say after looking at bags in the store Dads has changed over the years. Its is still very inexpensive, & not top of the line, but hey even I dont even eat top of the line. The most important thing to me this month is WHERE were the ingredients grown?? Here is what thepetfoodlist has posted:
     Dad’s Pet Food (info. provided by company 4/03/07)

     DAD’S Dog Foods, DAD’S Cat Foods, Kibble Select Complete, Better Than Ears Dog Snacks, Nut-tastics Dog Snacks, Guilt Free Dog Snacks, Canine Combos, Doggie Duets, Kibbles Nuggets & Nibbles.
     None of our products are manufactured by Menu Foods.
     All of our products are manufactured by us.
     All of our dry dog and cat food ingredients are from the US. The vast majority of our ingredients for treats are from the US.
     All of our dry dog and cat foods are wheat gluten free. A couple of our dog treats contain wheat gluten—an ingredient very common to the human food supply as well.
     We do not source wheat gluten from ChemNutra.

     Many(not all) walmarts carry it. Or go to Dadspetcare & do a store locator in your state. one thing I will warn you about though. IF you have a diabetic animal make sure you read their labels as well. Two of their dry dog foods, I bypassed because it contains corn syrup. I dont need to be giving the diabetic sugar & wondering why her blood levels are over 400 :) !! I only had one option for dry cat where I found mine & it was ok & Im happy to report they all(19) seem to like it & I dont have to worry about where the stuff was grown(this week).

152. connie says:
     April 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 pm

     I cant stay & read today & I really need to, but Im hoping the right person will see this & pose this question to those that need to see it :
     This is the U.S.A. WHY are we paying our farmers in this country to NOT grow crops & importing wheat, corn & rice from china???????? Garbage wheat , rice & corn no less!!

153. Hope Valenti says:
     April 23rd, 2007 at 9:10 pm

     For those of you who believe the wet Beneful dog food is safe, I hope it is, but if you look into the ingredients for the wet food in the plastic containers of Beneful, it DOES have wheat gluten. I cannot believe anyone would feed wheat gluten to their pet. I always fed this to my collie along with the Alpo prime cuts in gravy which was recalled. I have a case sitting here and would love to find out what kind of crap is in it, since I never threw it out after she passed. My guys now eat homemade food from our local pet finery. with the dry purina. .

     Since my cat died on March 11 which I am sure was from the nutro max gourmet hunters stew and savory duck I am pretty devastated that this govt did not make these companies disclose immediately where they got their ingredients. And once again you cannot tell me they did not know sooner. It took nutro over a month to recall their cat food, after they assured me it was ok. LIES LIES LIES.

     You can find out this information about beneful having the wheat gluten right on their website, and if I am not mistaken all the different kinds had it.

     go to www.purina.com I myself feed my cats and dogs the purina dry and they are ok, and just pray the corn gluten is ok.

     If this helps anyone I hope my pets did not die in vain.

154. connie says:
     April 24th, 2007 at 8:01 am

     Hope,
     call the fda. have them come & get the pet food to test it. if you go to www.fda.gov website, you can get a number for the fda in your state. also if you live near a university, call & ask if their ag dept(if they have one) or other lab dept would be interested in testing the food to find out if any of the crap we think IS in it, is. The worst they can say is no. the best that can happen is the pet food co. be forced to recall their garbage, change their buying practices & listen to pet parents!!! If they chose not to listen to consumers several petfood companies will discover thousands upon thousands of customers are now FORMER customers. Once you lose customer trust, you face losing your company. HEY PET FOOD COMPANIES>>>>ARE YOU LISTENING?????

155. P.from MI says:
     April 24th, 2007 at 8:39 pm

     5CatMom
     thank you for your advice. Itchmo thank you for being here!
     P.

156. Sam says:
     April 25th, 2007 at 4:56 pm

     Connie, did you check out that web site I mentioned? Listen to the video if you get a chance. It’s really informing. Also the the food on that site is life’s abundance. Like I said earlier,they don’t use any of those cheap fillers.
     I e-mailed the company directly and asked a bunch of questions. They seem to be pretty up and up. Seems they get ALL of their ingredients from U. S. suppliers. I’m NEVER going to buy my food from a large chain again!

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