Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats

156 Responses to “Menu Foods Expands Recall — Again”

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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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(

5. 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..

6. 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!)

7. 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 :)

8. 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. :)”

9. 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.

10. 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!

11. 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 !

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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?

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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?

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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/

31. 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.

32. 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!

33. 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.

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

    correction to last post.

    I WOULDNT trust Purina. (missed the ‘nt)

35. 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.

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

    j

37. 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?

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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?

43. 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.

44. 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

45. 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.

46. 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!

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

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