NEW RECALL: Royal Canin USA Recalls Sensible Choice and Kasco Dry Foods
Royal Canin USA is recalling eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products. Royal Canin states small traces of melamine-related compound were found in the rice protein concentrate provided by Cereal Byproducts — through cross-contamination. This supplier received food marked as rice protein concentrate from the same source as Wilbur-Ellis.
This confirms today is Friday.
The full press release after the jump.
UPDATE: Since issuing the release, RC updated the date codes involved. The new info is: “products with Best By date codes between July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008 are being voluntarily recalled.”
(Thanks Mike and Carol)
ST. CHARLES, Mo., May 11 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Canin USA is announcing
today the voluntary nationwide recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog food
products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products.
This announcement is based on the company’s ongoing extensive review of
its manufacturing and quality assurance testing procedures, which
identified trace amounts of a melamine derivative from tainted Chinese rice
protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier
Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois.
“We deeply regret the concern and anxiety this announcement today will
cause our loyal customers and the entire pet community,” Olivier Amice,
President and CEO of Royal Canin USA, said. “While a very limited number of
Sensible Choice and Kasco products in this recall tested positive for trace
levels of a melamine derivative, Royal Canin USA is voluntarily withdrawing
these products out of an abundance of caution and because we are fully
committed to the welfare of our customers’ pets.”
Royal Canin USA has no confirmed cases of melamine related illness in
pets eating Sensible Choice and Kasco products affected by this recall.
Last month, Royal Canin USA announced it will no longer use any Chinese
vegetable protein suppliers.
The following eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven
Kasco dry dog and cat food products with date codes between July 28, 2006
to April 30, 2007 are being voluntarily recalled:
SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
– SENSIBLE CHOICE(R) NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
KASCO(R) (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
– KASCO(R) Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
– KASCO(R) Cat (Dry Cat Food)
Based on today’s announcement, pet owners should stop feeding their
pets the eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products, seven Kasco dry dog
and dry cat food products listed. Pet owners should consult with a
veterinarian if they are concerned about the health of their pet.
The safety and nutritional quality of Royal Canin USA pet food is our
company’s top priority because we understand that the health of pets comes
first. Pet owners who have questions about the voluntary recall of Sensible
Choice and Kasco dry pet food products and other Royal Canin USA products
should call 1-800-513-0041 or visit our web site at
http://www.royalcanin.us.
All Sensible Choice and Kasco products have a satisfaction guarantee
and the company will refund or replace the diets that are part of this
recall announcement.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:30 am
Just one more thing on the fact some get/got sick on a brand and others did not.
It seems maybe the food ingredients may have not been MIXED “perfectly” or something along that order. One can got TONS the next got a tad. Another got None. Same for Bags.
We, here, just don’t know.
{you can bet the companies do and they ain’t talkin’!}
We are All what is within’ our means on all levels.
Please hang in there EVERYONE.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:36 am
You practically implied it. Chicken Soup, Eagle, and Innova? Never heard of those brands before. So I guess I have MORE to research AGAIN! I have to see if Vons has those brands AGAIN. I’ve been trying to make a list of all the foods I can to check out. To see if they have real meat, if they have a lot of grain or not, if they buy from China or not, etc.
I’m starting to truly wonder if ANY pet food made is safe or cheap enough for my family to afford.
I have not one but SEVERAL different doctors. I have no real friends. Half the time I am too sick or too tired to do anything. I can’t drive. My mother is abusive and not at all understanding of this situation and I have to live with her until I can figure out how to manage on my own. She keeps telling me that she doesn’t want to hear about it and she is my only ride.
Most of the time I hate my life and my baby kitties are the two creatures I love and trust the most in this world, and now they may die because I can’t safely say what I should feed them. My heart feels ready to shatter.
I don’t want to talk anymore.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:57 am
Check this forum on Itchmo for what folks are doing:
http://itchmoforums.com/index.php?board=57.0
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul:
http://www.chickensoupforthepe...../dry_food/
Recommended - all US ingredients - they are researching their suppliers now, I recommend the dry food only.
Ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ocean fish meal, white rice, potatoes, oatmeal, millet, natural chicken flavor, salmon, turkey, duck, flaxseed, sodium bisulfate, egg product, methionine, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried chicory root, taurine, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid
Note the lack of Corn, etc.
Whiskas Ingredients (their best Dry Food):
Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken By-product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA/BHT), Natural Poultry Flavor, Wheat Flour, Rice, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Shrimp Meal, Tuna Meal, Salmon Meal, Calcium Carbonate, dl-Methionine, Taurine, Whitefish Meal, Trace Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate [Source of Vitamin E], Folic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6]), Red 3, Ethoxyquin (A Preservative). (Note: BHA/BHT cheap preservative - not good for kitties).
Eagle Pack:
http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/HS_CanCat.html
My Favorite: Chicken & Lamb Formula
Ingredient Listing: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Lamb, Rolled Oats, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Peas, Potatoes, Guar Gum, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cranberry Powder, Flaxseed, Dried Kelp, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Taurine, Salt, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins & Minerals
Innova:
http://www.innovapet.com/produ......asp?id=34
They give out coupons:
Ingredients listed on Page. Human type food.
Felidae:
http://www.canidae.com/cats/ca.....anned.html
All Natural Ingredients
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Herring (Source of Omega 3), Lamb, Brown Rice, Eggs, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Dicalcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Flax Seed Oil (Source of Omega 3) Choline Chloride, Salt, Kelp, Cranberries, Rosemary Extract, Carrageenan, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Lecithin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydro-chlride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.
Note the differences in formulations.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Eagle Pack:
http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/HS_CanCat.html
My Favorite: Chicken & Lamb Formula
Ingredient Listing: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Lamb, Rolled Oats, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Peas, Potatoes, Guar Gum, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cranberry Powder, Flaxseed, Dried Kelp, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Taurine, Salt, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins & Minerals
Innova:
http://www.innovapet.com/produ......asp?id=34
They give out coupons:
Ingredients listed on Page. Human type food.
Felidae:
http://www.canidae.com/cats/ca.....anned.html
All Natural Ingredients
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Herring (Source of Omega 3), Lamb, Brown Rice, Eggs, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Dicalcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Flax Seed Oil (Source of Omega 3) Choline Chloride, Salt, Kelp, Cranberries, Rosemary Extract, Carrageenan, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Lecithin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydro-chlride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.
Note the differences in formulations.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Karen I am simply not talking or listening to you anymore. You are upsetting me way too much. Good bye.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Check this forum on Itchmo for what folks are doing:
http://itchmoforums.com/index.php?board=57.0
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul:
http://www.chickensoupforthepe...../dry_food/
Recommended - all US ingredients - they are researching their suppliers now, I recommend the dry food only.
Ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ocean fish meal, white rice, potatoes, oatmeal, millet, natural chicken flavor, salmon, turkey, duck, flaxseed, sodium bisulfate, egg product, methionine, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried chicory root, taurine, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid
Note the lack of Corn, etc.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:09 am
Royal Canin is being advertised again.
ITCHMO ADMIN: Google says it will take a few hours…
May 12th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Good Morning All,
I am convinced none of you sleep. Just got up to get ready for my road trip back to PA today and saw all this. What a nightmare, I still say everything out there has something wrong HINT PURINA , btw that is my opinion only, I am running out of things my cats will eat, they also give me the looks like you all are getting of what is this mom I am not eating this, UGH then it like ok are you being fussy or are you sick again?Started thowing sardines in for a new taste. My gat will not eat anyhting mixed together or touching, must get that from me I used to have to use section plates as a child drove my mom nuts. SO it is plain salmon plain chicken and now plain sardines, when I get back Imight try a small batch of salmon and sardines in food processor who knows, that will probably be just a waste of food and time. Little divas that they are. Mine too are crack junkies and are having a hardtime going cold turkeu from it, and so am I trying to find something else. *sigh*
May 12th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I found this page helpful when transitioning from Junk Food:
http://www.catinfo.org/#My_cats_are_now_eating
It even covers the canned, the home-cooked, etc. Great resource page.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:52 am
[…] Sadly, we have yet another recall. Roycal Canin recalls dry dog and cat food on Friday. […]
May 12th, 2007 at 6:14 am
I have been reading all of your posts for weeks now, I like you, don’t know which way to turn. I have 3 dobermans which are my kids. I live in a very rural area where food choices are minimal. I was feeding Nutro, went to SD Hills, now I have changed to Chicken Soup Dry. I cook for the gang as well. I call it Lynn’s stew, groung turkey or chicken breast, brown rice (USA), carrots, green beans, peas. I give around 1/4 of the Chicken Soup Dry to 3/4 of the homemade stew. For a change I add unsweeted applesauce, scrabmbled eggs, cottage cheese. I don’t know what else to do, I have also tired the Honest Kitchen dyhidrated and wasn’t really impressed with it. I would love any suggestions on what else I can do to make sure my gang is getting a wholesome, nutritious meal.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Lynn - I found some new food yesterday - I had one cat on Royal Canin Rice & Duck (he’s no longer alive and although the RC vet who called me (after I sent the autopsy report to them demanding a reply) said in no uncertain terms it was “more than likely the food”, they’re now waffling (who would have thought). My other cats were on Hills cd and td but no longer are (I’ll just brush their teeth I guess). I then got onto Active Live wet (a Fromms brand) and Holistic Blend dry but yesterday came across something called “Orijen” made in Alberta, Canada. No grain although they do use tapioca as a binder. I had a 1hr talk with the store rep who is letting us try samples of this kibble. I have really cut down on the kibble and feed more wet. The remainder of my cats are getting used to it. I don’t know if this Orijen is available in the US. They love it as a mix with wet which I will continue to offer now. Orijen makes kibble for dogs as well. Pretty pricey but not as expensive as the vet bills when things don’t go right.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:14 am
# Jessica Says:
May 12th, 2007 at 12:35 am
To those who are having a hard time switching foods, if your cat likes fish flavors you can get Norwegian Cod Liver or Salmon oil capsuls from your health food store.
PLEASE! Cod Liver Oil is not the same as salmon body oil. Do not add cod liver oil to commercial food. It already has enough Vitamin D. Salmon oil provides omegas, cod liver oil provides Vit A and D.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:21 am
MANDY JUZT AN F.Y.I. THE A.S.P.C.A. HAS STARTD A SAFE FOOD LIST IN THE LAST WK AND WHSKAS IS ON IT IT MAY NOT BE THE HEALTHIEST DUE TO SOME INGREDIENTS. BUT ITS NOT A TOXIC RECALLD FOOD AND NOT GOING TO BE. THEY HAVE TESTD THR PRODUCT. THATS THE BIGGEST POINT RITE NOW
May 12th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Has anyone had trouble with Royal Canin kitten food? I switch to this about midway through my female cat’s pregnancy on my vet’s advice. She started throwing up on it — not much — just a bit. I quickly put her back on her regular kitten food and she has been fine.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:52 am
lainie I am giving you a BIG hug for that! Now that I know that Whiskas is at least SAFE, even if it’s not the most healthy food around, I can relax for awhile. I may have to stop coming here much for awhile. I swear all the stress is about to give me an ulcer. I’m too young to get an ulcer!
May 12th, 2007 at 7:54 am
KAREN V ISNT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KITTEN LOVERS SOUL ON THE RECALL LIST MADE BY AMERICAN NUTRITION. DIDNT ANI NOT ONLY HAVE ITS OWN LONG LIST BUT LIE TO THE COMPANIES THE WERE MFGRN FOR AND THE CONSUMERS READING THOSE LABELS. SO IS SUPPORTING ANI A BETTER CHOICE THEN BUYING FROM A COMPANY THAT IN 2MONTHS OF LIES AND B.S. HAS HAD NO PRODUCT SHOW UP ON THE LIST
May 12th, 2007 at 7:56 am
lainie, do you have a link to that list? I visited their site but could not find it.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:57 am
What this basically points to is that one simply cannot feed commercial food anymore.
Who wants all the stress of this? It’s easier just to stop buying commercial products and feed human grade food to your pet.
Two good sites:
www.catnutrition.org
www.rawdogranch.com
Cats and dogs are carnivores that need meat, not wheat and cereals. There. You have solve the problem by taking into your own hands and making your food for your pet.
Vets cannot be trusted for dietary recommendations since they get no training in nutrition. Anything they know about diet comes from the pet food companies. The vets have largely been silent around this whole issue and baffled by the cases that come in.
May 12th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Back in February, before I was feeding the exclusively a homemade diet, I was feeding my cats Royal Canin, Sensible Choice Dry Kitten 34 Formula.
The breeder was feeding this and I was trying to ween them off of it because I feel that dry food is hard your pet’s kidneys.
The last 2 bags were making them sick. The first bag I threw out and bought another, thinking maybe it was spoiled. The second bag was thrown out before it was half gone. The youngest had diarrhea every time he ate it and came down with a urinary infection. Now that they are off of it, both cats are healthier. They’re more active and playful.
The first three ingredients are chicken meal, rice, corn gluten meal & corn. It has rice in it and I wonder if it’s contaminated with melamine. Maybe there could be cross contamination???
Needless to say, I will never buy their products again. I wouldn’t trust ANY pet food company that has had a recall on ANY of their products.
Has anyone had a similar experiences with other non-recall, Royal Canin products?
May 12th, 2007 at 8:05 am
lainie I would like the link to that safe food list too please. I did notice a few safe food lists around on the internet, but they were not recently updated. It’s horrible to see that the safe food list is MUCH shorter than the recall list. It’s so sad!
At least we know Whiskers is safe for NOW…
May 12th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Dee - I would not feed ANYHING from Royal Canin at this point. They keep coming up with the “oh dear we have more news” scenario with monotonous regularity. I even took my remaining cats off Hills as mentioned - no more vomiting. I can’t say if it’s contaminated or not but I can say that my cats are keeping what they eat.
May 12th, 2007 at 8:07 am
JLR i use orijen also and yes it is available at some pet shops in the US….I changed my labs to it because its all natural, they will talk to you on the phone and list all ingredients…they carry cat and dog food lines….my pets are thriving on the orijen
May 12th, 2007 at 8:08 am
I posted this in another area but did not see any response - just asking again: in addition to the acute renal faiure diagnoses of cats who have been poisoned, has ANYONE heard of any episodes of internal hemorrhaging?
May 12th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Hey there’s a google add right there that even says Whiskas is safe to feed kitties. What a relief! But we need more options darn it! We need as many safe options as possible!
Google really needs to get the Royal Canin food sign down.
You know after this I’m going to be terrified to get any new pets, and that is just AWFUL because I love animals!
May 12th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Thank you GPH - it is good to hear of someone else who is using this food. I can stand around and talk all day to petfood reps and still not feel comfortable! I stopped the Holistic Blend kibble because I asked them where they sourced their soy protein from and have received no answer except a rather indignant voicemail indicating their food is “not on the recall list” - no detail about the soy. I feel better about the Orijen. My rep told me to feed 25% less because of the high protein content so that is what I have done so far…
May 12th, 2007 at 8:13 am
By the way if anyone is interested, the website for Orijen is www.championpetfoods.com
May 12th, 2007 at 8:13 am
*Chants*
We need more options! What else is safe besides Whiskas? There are very few brands or companies that didn’t have at least ONE type of food recalled. Argh!
This is why I switched to Whiskas in the first place. None of their food is on recall. All of it has been tested. So maybe it isn’t the most nutritional food around, at least it won’t poison my babies.
May 12th, 2007 at 8:22 am
JLR…i also cut amounts back due to the high protein concentrate…my dogs are more satisfied, coats are shinny, they have more enegry and i have noticed the “doggy breath” has all but disappeared. and yes it is a bit pricey but less than a vet bill……Canz makes a good all meat wet product and also makes all natural treats
May 12th, 2007 at 8:29 am
ON A FRIENDLIER NOTE TO THOSE OF YOU THAT CAN AFFORD HIGH END FOOD. AND WANT 1 THATS GOT A GREAT INGREDIENTS LIST AND MADE IN THE U.S.A. CHECK OUT SPOTS STEW THERES 1 FOR CATS AND 1 FOR DOGS. MADE BY HALOPETS. THEY ALSO HAVE A GREAT SUPPLEMENT LINE FOR THOSE OF YOU FEEDING HOME MADE. THR DREAM COAT OIL I CANT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT. IVE BEEN USING IT 2YRZ NOW ON MY FUR AND FEATHERED KIDZ. THEY ALSO HAVE THE BEST PET SHAMPOO IVE EVER USED. I HAVE 4DOGS 2CATS AND 5BIRDS AND THANKFULLY EVERY 1S HEALTHY. BUT REGRETFULLY NOW MUST SEARCH FOR A NEW DRY DOG FOOD. BEEN USING ROYAL CANIN THE LAST TWO YRZ AND CHECKD WITH THEM @ THE 1ST RECALL, THEY SAID THR CORN GLUTEN WAS FRM THE U.S AND I NO LONGR TRUST THAT MINI PUP AND MAXI PUP WILL CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. GONNA CHECK OUT IF EVANGERS HAS A PUPPY FOOD. AND INNOVA IM ALREADY USING THR CANND PUP. GOTTA BE REAL CAREFUL WITH THE 10WK OLDS ESPECIALLY
May 12th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I am just so relieved that I picked the right food that has been declared safe. Seriously it’s brought tears to my eyes. I have been driving myself crazy for weeks.
It’s just a shame that we have to give up some nutritional value in foods just to make sure it’s not poison!
I used to never care that I was kinda poor. I never thought too much about being rich except once in awhile I thought it might be kinda nice to have a few super nice things.
Now I really wish I was rich just so I could get the best food for me and my pets! How outrageous is that? Just because you don’t have a lot of money you can’t get good food for yourself or your animals? What a crock!
Safe food should be safe food, no matter what it costs. Sure some food is junk, but it should at least not be poison!
Thank you God, for letting me choose the right cat food. Finally. Please God don’t let Whiskas end up on the recall list, and please let Whiskers and Smokey be able to eat it and not get sick or unhealthy in any way. Please don’t let Pedigree end up on recall either because that’s what my grandmother feeds her dog.
Please God comfort those who have lost their pets, who have sick pets, and who are having to put their very sick pets down.
Amen
http://rainbowsbridge.com/ Is a great site that has chat rooms and a forum to talk about pet health and to help those grieving their losses. They have a candle ceremony every Monday night.
*Has a respectful moment of silence for all the fur babies who died in this tradgedy.*
May 12th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Thanks for the tip Lainie i’ll give them a look see, then i hope they take a call … i am not rich but when it comes to my labs ( my children ) i will spare no expense….i also do some home cooking for them
May 12th, 2007 at 8:41 am
To Mandy
Mandy I guess I would say the most important thing is that you care enough to do something for your cats. And let me tell you that with all of the waxing on that some of us do that I have friends who have fed their cats Whiskas forever. One colleague at work just lost one of her females at the age of 21! Another is likely not long for this world - he’s 23. Both of them enjoyed stupendous lives with no chronic illness. One thing I will say is that she never fed them very much kibble - mostly canned. Kudos to you. Hang in there.
May 12th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Im Not Good At The Links Thing Lol. I Never Remembr How To Get Back And Forget To Mark It But It Was At Aspca Website. Ill Go See If I Can Find A Link To Post Here For It. When I Found It Thr Were Only Two Foods 1 Cat And 1 Dog Hopefully The List Gets Longr
May 12th, 2007 at 8:49 am
LOL Lainie took me a while to figure things out also…..when u find a site u like just click on favorites and then on add and here’s the link to the site….http://www.halopets.com/
May 12th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Mandy, there are some very good threads in the Itchmo forums on safe foods and recommendations. Don’t worry about feeding them a little junk food right now, but take the time to look around in your area for alternatives.
Karen V, thanks for the link to the site about transitioning your cat off junk food. That’s the toughest part! My little girl is a Fancy Feast junkie, but will eat better quality wet food if it’s mixed in. Fortunately, she enjoys her kibble and she is finally putting on some much-needed weight. The kibble I feed to my cats and dogs is Orijen which is grain- and preservative-free. With the higher protein, I don’t have to feed so much so it is more economical.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Thank you for the support JLR and shibadiva. You wouldn’t believe what I just found. I was browsing around the ASPCA and saw that they have a section for kids. I was curious to see what information they put up about the pet food recall for kids, (they were as careful and gentle as possible when explaining, go them) and I just got to browing the rest of it.
This is what I found in the nose for news section.
In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal—and did you know that 2007 is the Year of the Pig? There are 12 animals in all. According to Chinese belief, the Year of the Pig is a great time to take a stand, speak your mind and finish up projects.
Ha ha ha! I’m sorry I just… ha ha ha! I love it!
So this is the year to take a stand, and speak your mind? Eat that China! Yet you banned Itchmo!
I am still laughing. I can’t help it! Ha ha ha ha!
May 12th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Note to Calliekitty - Please be careful feeding EVO. Even before the recall my vet advised me not to feed EVO because she had been seeing cases of kidney failure since the protein balance is not good. According to my vet you cannot successfully try to duplicate a raw diet in a dry food and that is what EVO tried to do.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Karen V–Innova and Evo wet are made by Menu Foods. They claim that it is manufactured in a plant “not involved in the recall,” but we already know those are empty words. With constant reports of cross-contamination, I wouldn’t feel safe with it.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Please folks, educate yourselfs in general on what to feed.
ANY food which has ANY type of gluten, soy, or one of these concentrated grain proteins is crap! Always has been. And that includes Royal Canin and other costly foods. You don’t have to pay big bucks for crap food. You can pick up a bag of Whiskas or Alley Cat and get exactly what you are looking for if you insist on feeding gluten et al, to your carnivores.
These ingredients are BAD on their very best day, even without the poison.
These companies don’t give a rat’s ass about the health of your pets! All they care about is the almight dollar!
Gluten, et al, is a CHEAP protein source! By adding it to the foods, they can leave out the meat, (or put in as little as humanly possible) and still be able to list a high protein % on the label. However, it is not meat protein, and carnivores are not meant to be eating it. They stooped to a new low, by trying to buy even cheaper gluten from China, although keeping the prices up so high, the ordinary person can’t even afford to buy it!
The aggravates me the most! They charge top dollar for these bad products, passing them off as top quality! No honesty at all.
Natura products are safe, as are those of the Canidae company, and DRY Iams and Eukanuba. NONE of have ever had any gluten or concentrated grain proteins in them.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Hope Its Usefull Gph. It Did Wonders For The Lab Next Door To Me She Has The Most Beautiful Coat Now And Her Only Medz R Now Her Dream Coat Oil The Allergy Meds The Vets Had Her On Never Workd This Well. She Has Seasonal Allergiez Frm The Grass And Pollen That Dried Her Skin Severely It Split Wish We Would Have Taken Before And Aftr Pix Of Her. I Also Notice Alot Less Hair Around The House And No Hairballs Since I Give It To The Cats. HAS ANYONE EVER READ WHAT IS IN HAIRBALL TREATMENT FOR CATS MAIN INGREDIENT WHITE PETROLEUM YUCK HOW GUD IS THAT FOR A CATS SYSTEM
May 12th, 2007 at 9:30 am
I am beginning to believe that this “cross contamination” actually means that the tainted ingredient was actually added to the products! How much cross contamination can there be?
May 12th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Fancy Feast is also ok, but you must read the labels and stay away from the ones that have gluten listed.
None of the FF ever had gluten until the last few years. They are cheapening their products, also.
Gluten is a No-No.
Everyone should start writing and calling and telling these companies you will not buy their products until they take the gluten, et all out and replace it with meat.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Mandy Im Still Lookn 4that Link And Now Hoping They Didnt Take It Dwn. Grrrr
May 12th, 2007 at 9:41 am
After the recall I stayed up so many nights researching pet foods, the companies that manufacture them, their shelf life, products and ingredients. I finally found a food that is all natural, no additives, no corn, no wheat, no junk what so ever. My pets love the food. Fearing my old food might have contained poison from the recall I switched my dogs cold turkey (I have 10) no one had an upset tummy, they love the food and their coats show the quality with their silky fur. I continue to research this food and still to this day have not found one thing bad.
I’m included the link for anyone that would like to read up on this Pet Food Product.
I highly recommend it.
http://www.healthfoodforpets.com/tehyapugs/
Rose
May 12th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Actually Whiskas wet food is made with real meat. Almost all dry foods have some kind of grain or vegetable matter in them. It’s what makes the little kibbles. I read up on cat nutrtion and wet food is just better for them in general. Wet food has more meat than dry food ever will and it allows cats to get more moisture when they eat then just eating dry and drinking water alone.
I read a whole horrifying article about the the health problems a cat can get by eating dry food alone. I had no idea!
I will be doing my best to make sure that wet food and meat is the main part of my cats diets from now on. I checked over Whiskas carefully and liked what I saw. If my babies are affected negatively in any way I will stop feeding it to them and try a different product.
At this point most people are just trying to find food to feed their fur babies that will keep them alive, not make them sick, and not be poison. Making cat food yourself is not easy because it’s hard to get all the proper vitamins, nutrients, etc in it. Even the ASPCA doesn’t recommend it unless you are SURE of what you are doing and discuss it with your vet a great deal first.
Right now Whiskas is the cat food for me. It’s at least on the safe list. I’ll have to see how well they do on it.
It’s going to be hard enough just to try to wean Whiskers off Purina. She’s a very sweet girl but she can yowl her head off when she wants to bed fed what she wants to eat! I better stock up on pain killers for the headaches I’m bound to get.
We can all argue with each other till doomsday what is or isn’t right to feed our pets, but in the end everyone has to make the choice for themselves, and badgering or trying to guilt someone into chosing the kind of brand you use is not a good idea.
Nuff said.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Everyday I get up wondering what other ‘news’ will be announced about a highend pet food that has been recalled. My little Westie has been sick off and on triggering a round of tremors that steroids have controlled. This plus his other problems. I m doing home cooking but also am not sure Natura ( Calif. Natural) has uncontaminated products. Guess we will have to make our own kibble soon. This has been a TOTAL nightmare.
HOPE your pets stay well…… Mia
May 12th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Mandy Says:
May 12th, 2007 at 8:13 am
*Chants*
We need more options! What else is safe besides Whiskas?
Mandy,
As far as wet food, I have been feeding our cat and 2 dogs Merrick. They LOVE it. I also purchased some for my brothers cats & dogs and they loved it, too. They even carry it @ Petsupermarket now.
The dry kibble I’ve been giving them is Felidae & Canidae. The cat is so-so about the Felidae, but the dogs love the Canidae. Since the cat isn’t crazy about the Felidae I’ve mixed in a little of the Natures Variety Raw Instinct kibble, and she loves it.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Mandy, check you e-mail
May 12th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Vry Konfuzd Now Karen Joy Whr Did U Hear Innova Is Made By Menu I Heard Difrent And The Can Im Readn Only Has Natura Pet Products Listd And Im Not Findn Any Wheat Gluten Rpc Or Corn Gluten On The Ingredientz List 4my Puppy Food