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 2:29 pm
I second Donna’s input on Evo vs CA Natural for cats. My 10 cats weren’t wild about the Evo canned but they like the CA Natural canned formulas. As for the dry foods, most liked Evo dry at first, but then got to where they wouldn’t eat it. But they LOVE the CA Natural dry — both the chicken & brown rice and the herring & sweet potato formulas. I’d rather feed the Evo, but they have the say in which one tastes better to them!
May 12th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
JLR,
On another site someone talks about liver problems and Nutro. Thought it may be of interest to you.
http://hubpages.com/hub/PET_FO.....Y_DOG_FOOD
May 12th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Helen,
Maybe it was Jessica, the poor dear I was just pestering above about which EVO product, who popped in about the emu oil??
It would be so freaking great to have this work for urinary crystals since nutritional requirements for this condition are pretty much non-existant: no grains, no high protein, no dry food. And, personally, I don’t want to go the vet perscription food route.
With E Wem’s and Jessica’s personal testimonies, maybe they, or we, can make the emu oil suggestions whenever the subject comes up in the threads to spread the word. Pet owners helping pet owners is pretty much our objective here.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I haven’t tried the emu oil but am listening and considering it. I think I’ll check with my supplement contacts and my friend who is a vet and see what they say first but I am considering it.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I think this got lost in space the first time I sent it.
JLR,
Someone talks about liver failure and Nutro on this site. Thought it might be of interest to you.
http://hubpages.com/hub/PET_FO.....Y_DOG_FOOD
May 12th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Admin: As I am posting this the ROYAL CANIN DOG FOOD is visible. They are popping up indiscrimantly. Wouldn’t be surprised if you can not get rid of it.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Thank you Jessica
Have a good afternoon, everybody. I am off for a ride in the woods on my horsey - try to put this out of my mind for a few hours. Also off to get some more Orijen feline. Based on what I’ve read here it looks OK for Gracie, Jasper and Austina.
I think I’ll start investigating what Purina puts in their Fat ‘n Fibre supplement as well - I give that to my horse!
And a happy mother’s day to all of you Mom’s out there!
May 12th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
When I refreshed my page 2 out of 3 ads at the top of the page we for royal canin. sites are candcpets.com and jbpet.com
May 12th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Genny, yes the urinary crystals are a conundrum for sure. My sister’s cat has them. Funny he has eaten hills his whole life and was prescribed a bunch of chemicals made by hills to treat them. I really think they are dietary to begin with. I have read numerous times in all this that quality protein and low phosphorus are more important than “low protein” for cats with kidney problems. I wonder if there is any link there with the crystals. Would they get crystals if they didn’t eat the chemicals and grains? It is so scary to go against a vet’s advice on the chance you may be wrong…but what about when the vets are wrong? They were taught nutrition by pet food companies, so if pet food companies say that cats with crystals “need” a diet that is “this that and the other thing” and it just so HAPPENS they MAKE a food that is “this that and the other thing”… There have to be other answers, and I am so grateful for this site as a place to find alternative answers, even if they are not from scientists, because people are sharing experience. Now if I ever have a cat with crystals, I will not be afraid to buck the vet and try to eliminate the crystals with a high quality diet and emu oil. Maybe I can avoid ever having a cat with crystals by following such tips. Hope so. Thanks to all who have had the courage to try new things and report them here! You are helping all our pets!
May 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Jessica,
OOPS! My bad! You are using fish oil, not emu oil. Sorry, I got it confused. None the less, when natural alternatives work, we need to spread the word, right?
Thanks again,
Genny
May 12th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
YOU GO HELEN!
It always seemed crazy to me that I’m supposed to buy food from a person who if they sell enough product they can win a trip to Hawaii or a Porsche.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Just a reminder. In early April, on my old blog, I posted to be safe - avoid all foods containing glutens/flour/protiens/concentrates etc - Corn, Wheat Rice, Soy. Itchmo also posted this as a recommendation.
I have spent hours on the phone with different Companies regarding their foods - and particularly like those I’ve chosen.
Why does Eagle Pack use the Menu Plant? Because it is the closest plant to them - and they ship the canned products back for testing prior to distribution.
Innova (also EVo, Califronia Natural, Etc.) - has an Employee on site to monitor (he is a quality control expert). They also use Human Food, and everything is from the USA. They test more than Eagle Pack - and they test for INGREDIENT INTEGRITY (what’s on the label is in the Can). That is why I am eager to swithc to them.
I was hoping to only use Felidae - but the boys won’t eat it. It is canned at Evangers.
All these foods, including the Dry Chicken Soup for the Soul (which this formulation has only US ingredients - its different than the regular Diamond foods) - have only the whole Rice element added to their foods. All make the Dry in their own Plant.
None of the Food makers mentioned have their own processing plant (well, Evangers does - but then there was the Quar Gum incident I read in the Forums - and explained why I had a chunk of something in a Can of Felidae). Natura is big enough to try and acquire their own plant. The others are not. So they need to test their food.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
My cat would have starved to death by now if not for the Evo dry in the brown bag. The outdoor cats scarf it down too. For wet I’ve gone with Evangers and Felidae but I worry about the source of their organic chicken and mackeral. Even if the pet food company is reliable, with US produced chicken and fish tainted are the same ingredients just being recycled?
May 12th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Like all of you, I don’t know for sure what is safe anymore. I have 1 cat and 4-5 dogs (I rescue). I feed dogs high-end kibble and raw meat. I was using NATURAL BALANCE, EAGLE HOLISTIC DUCK and a few others, rotating every couple of bags, but using NB the most.
Diamond makes NB dry, and they say only the one NB (Venison) was recalled, and that was a known change in the formula which included the bad wheat gluten. Diamond also has a certified change over process which is “supposed to be” the best and they earned 100% on their process in the last review. this is supposed to keep out cross-contamination when changing from one run of food to another. I feel “reasonably” safe with continuing Natural Balance DRY.
I dont feel safe with any WET FOODS right now and have suggested to all my dog friends not to feed it as more wet foods are affected than dry (although that seems to be changing now). luckily, my cat will not eat anything but dry. tried for years to temp him with all sorts of fresh stuff.
I used to feed WELLNESS, but they changed the formula about 1.5 years ago and my dogs started getting diarreaha, so I took it back. all high end foods have a guarantee and can be returned.
Right now I’m feeding BRANDON FARMS ORGANIC. Kroger started selling it after all the recalls, at least in my area. I normally do not recommend ANY food from a grocery store as most are CORN based, but I checked the ingredients. also researched and found that they have their own plant and only use u.s. sourced inputs. Their wheat comes from Michigan (although the stuff I bought has no wheat, corn or soy in the dog food, which is also good).
If you DO find a food you feel is “as safe as it gets”, now is the time to STOCK UP. I bought a #15 bag of Eagle Holistic Duck, shipped from MD for free via FedEx, cheaper than I could buy it locally (and no tax because it came from out of state). $20.78 total. normally a #6.5 bag would be about $13+ here, plus 6% tax AND the gas to go buy it.
I know stocking up sounds wierd, but if you have done your best research and are going to use a certain food, you might as well stock up at a good price before WE get hit with the bills/outcome of all of this (yes, ultimatley, it will be US paying for THEIR mistakes). If you stock up and it is later recalled, it is all returnable. So, after you do that research, look around the web for bargains. The cheapest is usually anything that ships free from out of your state.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
At this posting - no Royal.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Again no Royal (P.S. - they went off my list due to the Glutens). I’m thinking of swithcing to Innova Evo Dry (not sure though - wonder if the cats will eat it).
May 12th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Hey, Helen,
Can I cheat and ask if you know what phosphorus %% is best for cats w/crystals? I gotta run in just a few and don’t have time to drudge thru websites right now.
About what vets say and trying to push their food….I’m just trusting my gut on this one as it usually doesn’t fail me. He did suggest SD and Purina (sorry, I know I’m repeating myself) and even Purina One, since I refused the rx’d brands but gotta give it to him for suggesting a store brand. I just hope that later I don’t have to slither in office, with my tail between my legs, and buy their sh*t because my cat gets crystals again.
Jessica,
“a trip to Hawaii or a Porsche.” Ha Ha. Ain’t it th’ truth!
May 12th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Most cats seem to like EVO. Dogs gobble it up. The protein is very high, so if you have dogs also, be careful because feeding it PLUS extra meat can be too hard on the kidneys. Almost everyone I’ve talked to seems to think EVO is still safe.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Both Wellness and Merrick give my cat diarrhea. To me that says there is something in it that we don’t need. I’m following my gut and hers these days. I’m also shopping around for a vet that doesn’t have an office that looks like a pet food store. I buy my cat food at the feed store now.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Ya Ya and anyone who home feeds–
A good site to check out “people” foods that are bad for pets is the
ASPCA\NAPCC website.
I entered “garlic” in their search, and they definitely say to stay away from the allium species, which includes garlic, onions, leeks and chives. There is also a list of more foods that are toxic to pets.
The NAPCC website also lists toxic and non-toxic plants for your house or garden, in case you have plant-eating pet.
I wonder about fish oils myself. I think cod liver oil has a lot of vitamin A
in one little capsule, which may be too much for a little pet..
I was told also to be careful with herbs, particularly with cats.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
PET FOOD RECALL - HOW YOU CAN HELP! PLEASE CROSS POST PET FOOD RECALL - HOW YOU CAN HELP! PLEASE CROSS-POST
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION & PASS IT ON
> TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com...../937015756
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkyBv2wA8tU
You’ll see why this is so important. You will do something after seeing this!
http://www.itchmo.com/
http://defendourpets.myfastforum.org/index.php
May 12th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Garlic can actually be used as a natural anitbiotic in SMALL doses. I put it in gelitin capsuls when I use it for my cats. I have been using Four Paws Five Directions which ironicly is chinese medicine but it’s a very informative book if you’re trying to stay clear or things made in a lab.
And a fish oil capsule per cat is sure to cause diarrhea if nothing else. I use 1 per 3 cats.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I dont remember why I was concerned about feeding MERRICK food…think I didn’t like something in the ingredients list, but I do recommend and use their DRIED beed, lamb, etc, treats (meat and nothing else). also, their “TEXAS TOOTHPICKS” (dried beef tails).
However, you have to offset the protein in their regular dog foods so as not to over tax kidneys. It is also good to give their system a break a couple days each week (I’m taking for dogs, don’t know as much about cats). this way they don’t get nitrogen build up, etc.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
You were probably concerned with feeding Merrick, because they own one of the lasgest rendering plants n the country. On the same site as their dog food plant….
May 12th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Nope, I only have cats.
As to the Merrick, they own their own rendering plant. A few years ago, they blocked the FDA from enforcing a NO DDD policy for pet food- citing a higher cost for them (they are a HUGE corporation, based out of ???? TEXAS - who has the strings here;-)
So its kept hidden under the wraps, and I won’t dredge up the links (they are in the Itchmo forums), but they use Dead Dying Diseased animals from their own farms in their food.
That is what you probably heard.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
EVO dry has already changed their formula. Check the ingredients on the new color bag against the previous brown. Not a good change.
I am feeding canned Wellness, Merrick, Eagle Pack, Felidae, & Friskies. Dry is Wellness, the old Innova Evo, & Felidae.
Pam
May 12th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Genny–I have a 16lb male manx, Rudi, that went in for a completely blocked bladder 4 times in a year & a half, plus had 3-4 other episodes of partial blocks. I tried a bunch of different dry foods to keep the crystals at bay, but he always got them after going through a bag or two of each food. I finally found the only thing that worked for him was to feed him some watered down canned food every other day or every 2 days. I think it gave him enough fluids on those days to really flush out his bladder.
Up until a month ago, I had all six of mine on Evo with a fun meal of Wellness grainless canned watered down slop every other day or 2 to keep them all hydrated & give some variety in ingredients. They slurped it up greedily, water & all–guess the Evo dry was boring as a steady diet. Now I have them all on Felidae canned senior. The Wellness canned scared me (made by Menu & ANI) & one of my cats just got diagnosed with CRF so I’m staying off the high protein for now till I get her diet all worked out. I’m thinking I may stay off the dry food completely if I can find the right products or recipes for home cooking.
Good luck with the emu oil–sounds like a good supplement in any case. They have it at our health food store so I may try it with mine.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
High Note,
You said your dog ate Alpo and that vet says it is ok. I don’t know if it got sick from the food or you were just having it checked out.
FWIW…..My friend fed 5 dogs Alpo just one day b/4 the recall. Out of the five, only one got sick; very, very sick. She would not eat. Friend had to force feed with a syringe. Dog hated it but she did what she had to do to save the dog. First they used baby cereal and yogurt drinks. Then (ug) Science Diet a/d and Pediolite. They fed her every couple of hours till she got well enough to become the chow hound that she was. She also said to watch the sodium.
I am in no way pushing SD products (ug) but just passing on info that helped her.
I saw doggie last w/e hanging out in the kitchen waiting for some opportunistic dropped piece of food nibble.
Ok, now I gotta to run.
Good luck!
May 12th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
pam-
I have tossed my old Evo bags, what is the change?
May 12th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Pam - what did they change in Evo?
May 12th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Once again - how can Delmote and Purina be immune from this? How can any company when dealing with a COMMODITY have dodged the bullet? Is ANYONE - i.e. FDA or a land-grant university - testing ALL products?
May 12th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I am so sick of it all as I am sure everyone with pets they love are…sigh…
The only way to make a difference is go after your congressmen and senators they have the power but want use it …MAKE THEM! ..write them constantly go to them force them into changing the whole pet food industry and the quality control that governs it. Who actually knows what pet food is good because the ones YOU feed yours might be on the recall list next.
The sites all say we are safe…how much are you willing to bet?
I don’t trust any of them because it’s all about money and greed.
Make a difference go to the higher powers that be and LET THEM KNOW
WE ARE SICK AND TIRED AND FED UP and if they don’t act to PACK their bags cause we gonna send them home next election.
Jeannie >>>>Proud mommy of 5 Boston Terriers
May 12th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Mandy,
I left a message for you on the FDA Warns Staff on maj. I think we are trying our best. It is nice to know that everyone is trying to work together. It has helped alot. I am now trying to switch my 4 kitties to Innova, Evo, a few cans of Holistic Select (which the lady at the pet shop uses and her mother uses with no problem) and a few cans of Calif. Natural. I hope the same as others. Pray it doesn’t get recalled.
Best of luck to everyone and Happy Mothers Day to you all!
May 12th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Hi Nancy, thanks for the reminder for the Alliumn plants family. I grow alot of my own herbs. My cat will not leave my Chives alone :-)
{I have a pot in the house.}
She bites a few strands every couple of days and sort of ‘cudds’ it. Not even swallows it. I figure it’s a very small amount and and she “knows” her limits.
As for the Garlic she must be Italian :-P As she loves the smell and taste of Garlic. Even as I just boil a clove in with pasta for supper. She comes to the kitchen.
She likes my pasta sauce too! Go figure.
Garlic is in Everything round here. With her food I put a large clove in with the Turkey and or Lamb when I simmer/boil it.
It gets pulled out when I process/whip the meats and veggies.
Garlic IS a “natural” anti-biotic, a deterrent for fleas, fly, etc for Horses too and People. Even ticks don’t like that “smell” on you :-)
{you don’t smell it but the creature world does}
But it Also helps De-toxify. Which my cat needs badly.
I never go excessive in anything for the Animals around here. I’m careful with the supplements. And most are the water soluble ones too. {you lose each day and don’t store}
Ahhhhhh…now I know why my Horse licks the heck out of me when she sees me! She Loves the hidden to me, smell of garlic! LOL
And here I thought it was LUV, LOL :-รพ
She is worse than a Dog!
{and she has Plenty of salt in blocks, so it’s not that}
Yes, All be cautious when adding “supplements” to the foods we make.
Maybe I should spray down the Vet for when he sees my Cat! LOL
May 12th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Helen - the university vet I took my dog to said “rat poison” when she came in as an emergency on a January Sunday. She had liver involvement. She had blood, both fresh and digested in her stools for 2 weeks and bilirubin in her urine. I called to get her records and said I belived it was contaminated pet food. Vet said there was no kidney involvement so it coudn’t have been. The lawyers that are handling the future class action suit are also looking at kidney function at this point. Same sypmptoms reoccured when I added back her food and treats (Natures Recipe Lamb and Rice Adult and Bil Jac Liver Treats) two weeks later. I supposed the rat poisoner could have snuck back in our house?
May 12th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
For the Evo reformulation, BW details the changes in the forums under “the NEW Innova Evo formulation!”, in News (Recall related)
http://itchmoforums.com/index.php?topic=298.0
They moved some of the better ingredients to below the supplements, which means there are only a couple of molecules of each in there now.
Many of us are buying from just a few pet food companies right now because they seem to be the safest. I’m afraid they may start to cut corners to keep up with the greatly increased demand for their products. And of course they have 6 months to change labels. Evo changed bag colors so their labels were updated then, but most others probably won’t do that. Scary stuff.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Is Wellness ok to use? I don’t remember if I read good or bad about it. It’s hard to keep them all straight. I should write everything down so I don’t have to keep asking. The can cat food I’m asking about.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Hi all…
I have been lurking for a while now and have not seen any comments regarding my particular brand.
I am just wondering if any of you have any comments regarding Bench and Field’s Holistic Natural Canine Formula. Like any pet food supplier they have several formulations for both cats and dogs but this is the one I use.
http://benchandfield.com/holistic_canine.php
General brand information ~~ http://www.benchandfield.com/
… from their site….
A note to our customers and new customers:
We are not involved in the pet food recalls, or Menu Foods. None of our products contain wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate. Our ingredients are grown domestically. All incoming ingredients are sampled and every batch of food is lab tested. The plant is USDA and APHIS inspected. All ingredients are EU certified. You can confidently purchase our Holistic Natural Foods at your nearest Trader Joe’s, On line and other fine retail stores. Thank you.
~~~
May 12th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Well that is just Plainly stupid on the Vets part Kristi. I’m sorry. As Rat poisons “function” In a RAT is to cause Hemorrages! Bleeding. That’s how the rats die. Duh-Oh
Coumadin is a Blood thinner. {a basic rat poison}
It’s used in humans who’ve had like Heart surgeries and implants for that etc. For the rest of their lives. It has to be monitored each couple of weeks.
{it keeps them from clotting}
And sure there are more and Newer versions of Rat poisons on the markets but, basically they all cause “bleeding” from what I’d understood.
I’m glad you are pursuing it with Attorneys. And sorry you had to go through that as well as yor pet{s}.
Some times I just don’t “get” the Medical people “on” this stuff.
AND China must have LOTS of Rats around with the lack of Health Inspections etc in factories.
Oooooops. I drop that, noon will notice if I put it back in the batch/bin {with rat poison on it}
Sorry I went “off” Kristi. This stuff makes me SO angry.
May 12th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
To JLR u can find dreamcoat info here… hope it helps…..http://www.halopets.com/
May 12th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hi CJL, I don’t know of your brand personally, tho am sure someone will come long that might. I do not remember seeing it in Recalls but not absolutely positive about That now either {there are now Way too many to remember!}
Please check out at these places for more posted Ok. Maybe help ease your mind.
http://www.ItchmoForums.com
There is a section on Recall info big time there/here.
And http://www.petfoodlist.com next.
It’s good to have More folks posting! Thanks!
Hope these help for now.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Barbara–on the canned Wellness–I haven’t heard anything bad at all about their canned food & fed it to my cats for over a year. I just quit using it because I’m so afraid of the Menu/American Nutrition link & the cross-contamination issues. I still have all the cans I bought a few months ago & may use them in the future if nothing comes of it.
I did notice a different Wellness canned formula in the store the other day–95% meat with very little else added, including no essentials like taurine & other supplements. I’m not sure if it’s replacing the grainless complete formulas or not. I think it’s for either cats or dogs. There were quite a few varieties of meats to choose from. May be good for mixing with other foods, but doesn’t look like a complete diet to rely on exclusively. They remind me of Wysong’s canned meats.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I know nothing about Lifes Abundance except they have one product made by Menu. Most are made by Ohio Pet Foods.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Hi CJL, I have heard of Bench and Fields dog food. I feed my 3 dogs Eagle Pack, and found that Bench and Fields dry dog food is made by them. I found www.petsitusa.com very helpful in determining who makes what - hope that helps.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
I believe Menu makes some Wellness products as well.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Ginny — I cannot believe your vet said that! Anyway, for humans, kidney stones were long thought to be caused by using dairy products. Well, calcified kidney stones are really caused by an imbalance between calcium and other minerals in the blood such as magnesium and zinc. In fact for us, eating a cup of broccoli will give us as much calcium as a cup of milk, but is more readily assimable, because it is a vegetable form!
So what does this idea have to do with your cat? If you are feeding a balanced grain free diet like EVO, the likelihood of developing any crystals is low. Of course rarely, creatures (human or animal) have a body that is just imbalanced and has problems. BUT THIS IS VERY RARE.
If you believe Whiskers may have crystals, get her a homeopathic kidney detox at the healthy food pet store, OR I get Dolisos or UNDA Common Juniper tincture and put a few drops in my cats water once a day.
They were on Pro Plan (Purina) but with all the recalls, I got suspicious of it because it has plenty of grains etc. I tried samples at the Healthy Pet Food Pantry (local in S. CA only), I put a post-it on it and rated their reactions with stars, my thoughts on it with stars, and wrote down any ingredients that were good :) or not so Good :( or :S undecided or confused. This helped me narrow the field to the Evo for cats and kittens. THEY EAT A LOT LESS of it. Instead of 3/4 to 1 cup twice a day for each, I am feeding 1/4 cup twice a day, and they are very pleased with it. Hope this helps.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
By the way. Bought lean hamburger to mix with rice for my dogs - the hamburger I bought is part of an e-coli recall in Minnesota. I kid you not.
May 12th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I’m no longer feeding my chi royal canin last month. I was feeding him the mini puppy 33, but since they have been importing vegetable proteins from china, I stopped buying their products. When I spoke to them on several occasions, they claimed the rest of their pets food were tested and safe. However I had a bad feeling about them, and switched to another premium brand. My puppy was having the symptoms of drinking excess amounts of water, frequent urination, little appetite, low energy. I feed buffalo, or venison with no fillers, and his symptoms have decreased some, and I hope there won’t be any long term damage. I’m afraid all the chicken royal canin will be bad, due to “cross contamination”, or due to the chickens eating tainted feed. I don’t think they are as concerned about peoples pets, as they claim. I think it’s such a massive contamination of their products, they don’t want to recall it all. If I were you, and your still feeding your fur baby royal canin, I would keep what you have in a sealed container ( for later evidence), and switch to another food. There is NO Excuse for royal canin , or any company for that matter, to wait this long to recall their products. The “Cross contamination” story is total BS. They should have known better. Remember royal canin admitted use of cyanuric acid, so Melamine and god knows what else is in their pet food. They are only working within the FDA’s limitations, even though royal canin knows they should recall all their pet foods, and start over. They won’t do this, untill the FDA tells them to. So if royal canin, and all the other pet food companies want to continue to use the “cross contamination excuse” I say go ahead then, and RECALL all your pet food products. They are ALL Contaminated!
Boycott royal canin…
May 12th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I make my own dog food. Sometimes I buy it already ground with the bone so that the calcium ratio is correct or if I feed without the bone I add 1/4tsp ground eggshell per 1/2lb meat (I rinse out organic egg shells and leave to dry and then grind in Braun coffee/nut mill). I add the raw meat to some well soaked/cooked brown rice and vegetables (today acorn squash, tomorrow sweet potato and some raw crushed leafy greens). Dog looks great and needs the extra carbs as he tends to be thin otherwise wouldn’t give grains. The cat I take chicken necks/wings/gizzards and put thru my Maverick grinder, portion out and freeze in baggies. Sometimes both cat and dog get canned salmon instead of meat (I buy cheapest pink salmon on sale and rinse off salt, same with sardines in water). When I see a roast on sale I buy it and cut it up but add the eggshells to balance the calcium. I usually add some salmon oil and occasional cod liver oil to their food. If I buy cat food its Innova canned of Petguard. I never feed the grocery store crap and am so regretful of the days that I did feed it to a cat we had, its full of garbage and now I will never trust any of the dog food companies again either.
anneh
May 12th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Stray Baby — My cats had that re-action to Trader Joe’s ( a “gourmet” food store). Well, Menu Foods makes it too!! In fact they tried to cover it up like a pile sometimes. When they both did it, I left the food for a while and then threw it out. To make a long story short, Purr-Purr died last July 16th of cat renal failure :> Z .