Voluntary Dry Food Reports
For the latest news, including new recalls, the sources of the toxin, and others, go here.
Report your pet’s death or illness now.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since the first posting.
Several days ago, we started reading reports of dry food possibly making pets sick, specifically Iams. We then asked our readers to provide their experience to us. Here’s what we found:
Number of pets covered: 134 (47 cats, 87 dogs)
Reported ARF (Acute Renal Failure): 24 (17%) 15 cats, 9 dogs
Cat Deaths: 20 | Cat Illnesses: 26
Dog Deaths: 9 | Dog Illnesses: 77
Since our report, one DRY food from Hills has been recalled so far.
We caution you against accepting this as the final word as these are self-reported numbers from parents who have been reading about other sick or dying pets. Given the caveats, the brands that really stood out were Iams, Nutro, and Science Diet. We expected quite a few Iams reports since the survey results from posts about sick pets who ate Iams, (read about Menu Foods’ exclusive contract with Iams) but the Nutro reports seemed to have come from nowhere. Of the 5 reported deaths parents linked to Nutro, 3 were from Acute Renal Failure. 3 ARF deaths were reportedly linked with Science Diet and 7 were linked with Iams. There may be legitimate reason why some brands are on this list, for example, Science Diet may be recommended by vets to particularly sick pets.
Recall resources: Detailed timeline & facts | Recalled Food List | Get recall alerts | More
Our numbers are not enough data to make any conclusive decision, but some correlations were highly troubling. We are highly in favor of a statistically correct and significant study of dry food-related problems. And we’d love to hear your thoughts in our comments.
Important note: If you feel that dry food is causing your pet to fall ill, please contact the FDA.
Number of Specific Cat Food Brand Reported: What to feed your cat
Iams: 17 (ARF: 5 dead, 1 sick)
Purina: 6 (ARF: 1 dead)
Science Diet: 5 (ARF: 3 dead)
Nutro: 4 (ARF: 1 dead, 1 sick)
Special Kitty: 3 (ARF: 1 dead, 2 sick)
Royal Canin: 1 (No ARF)
Number of Specific Dog Food Brand Reported: What to feed your dog
ARF reported:
Iams: 21 (ARF: 1 dead, 2 sick)
Nutro: 14 (ARF: 2 dead)
Ol’Roy: 5 (ARF: 1 dead)
Eukanuba: 2 (ARF: 1 sick)
No ARF reported:
Science Diet: 4
Pedigree: 2
Purina: 2
Authority: 1
Beneful: 1
Natural Balance: 1
Trader Joe’s: 1
(For emailed alerts about future recalls and other important news, sign up for our free Itchmo Pet Safety Alert.)Report your pet’s death or illness now.
May 25th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Kim,
I spoke with the Itchmo Administrator today. I haved e-mailed him the
Toxicology Report I received from Accutrace indicating Acetaminophen
is present in the sample.
Feel free to post my story on your blog. I would not be posting this information if there was any doubt in my mind that this toxin came from anywhere other than the bag of food I purchased. I can think of no way this food could have been contaminated after I opened it. This leaves me with the conclusion that the acetaminophen was in the factory sealed bag when I purchased it on March 15, 2007. This being the case I feel it is important to get the information out to others.
I spoke with Hills today concerning the test results and needless to say they are at a loss to explain this situation. I encourage anyone who feeds or has fed their pet any Hills Science Diet dry pet food with an unexplained illness to have their food tested for not only the toxins that have been in the news (i.e. Melamine, Cyanuric Acid, etc.) but also for unknown chemicals and toxins.
May 25th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Thank you for the information published here about the independent lab that will test for consumers. I contacted them today and plan to send a sample for testing. I bought canned food by the case, so can send an unopened can from the batch that my dog (Mandy) was eating from when we discovered that her BUN values, etc. were extremely high, eventually exceeding the level that the equipment in my vet’s office could measure. Mandy, who is 4 years old, went in for routine dental, and we did a blood panel before the procedure and discovered the high levels. Looking back, her main symptom was increased thirst, but not the other usual symptoms in a dog with BUN values that high. We did IV for about 4 days, ultrasound, antibiotics. She is home now, eating home-cooked food, and receiving sub-cu fluids once a week. I don’t know where her blood values are now, but her appetite is good. The ultrasound indicated something “probably going on for a while” — tending more toward chronic, but she does not otherwise fit the chronic profile, with weight loss over time, etc. The urine culture came back negative for infection. If the food she was eating had been recalled, we would have assumed it was the food, but her food was never recalled. She was eating Hill’s Science Diet Light canned. I called Hill’’s and the FDA to report the possible problem. I’ve also received from Hill’s the application forms for vet bill reimbursement, but for a product was never recalled (?). I’m sorry this comment is probably misplaced - not dry food, but I found the independent lab info here (linked in through petconnection) and wanted to comment and thank you for information. I’ve kept wondering for the past two months, if the food I had been using would be named in the next recall, now I can find out for sure if the food was contaminated or not.
May 26th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
ok maybe not in ohio .. but a company named ohio pet …. not menu foods ….
they have Florida and California distribution centers .. not sure if they make it both in fl and cali or what but it would make sence right ?
.. L8rz Cindy :)
May 27th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
My heart goes out to all of you whose pets have become ill or passed away. What a tragic situation. It looks like we can blame it on good old Communist China. From all the news reports I’ve seen, their ENTIRE food supply is sketchy, not just pet food. I can’t go to my local grocery and buy any seafood that isn’t from China. We get a lot of our food from there. They already confirmed that the melamine is in the human food supply. And to hear that they put it in the product INTENTIONALLY! Wow! Well, I’m sure American companies will continue buying food products from China even with this information. Cheap isn’t always better - but they only look at the bottom line. How sad.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:44 pm
I am still in such pain and only a true compasionate person could understand. My cat ate Meow Mix, Market Select with real salmon and crabmeat in sauce and died within 31 hours. He ate it and within 10 to 20 minute he became very disoriented, walking into walls, meowing very loud when approached (which he never ever did), would not eat, was urinating on himself because he could not hardly move. I took him to the vet that afternoon, they pump him with fuilds and gave him a shot to increase his appetite and soft food to force feed him. Needless to say it did not happen, he was vomitting and urinating as he lay still. He was the healthiest cat, happiest, great with my two young girls (3 & 4) and was never sick. I know without a doubt that the Market Select killed him. He only ate Mewo Mix dry and then started with the M/S in Dec. or Jan. of this year. I would not wish that on anyone, my memories of him suffering so desparately will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I have been in contact from day one with Delmonte (the maker of M/S Mewo Mix) and at first they supportive, but now they would not release the results of the samples I sent in until I had my records from my vet and myself. My baby boy Dexter died in vein on March 8, 2007 a day I will hate forever and I mailed samples on March 10 and still have no answer from them. Now every time I go to walmart or anywhere and see that food I start to cry. My animals are not just pets they are my babies, my family, best friends and loves of my life, I am so mad and upset and scared to death now. I sure hope the rest of the world will pay close attention to their babies. The numbers on the 2.75 oz bowl is SKE-:SC X :23 01, EXP 30 Dec 2007. Please check your food and contact them if you feel that your cat became ill or died due to this food. I would honestly bet my life on it, he was just to good and healthy and was inside, no change in diet, no table food, and was so dehydrated and neurologically gone when he died. If you have any question feel free to contact me via email ddbozeman@aol.com, subject DEXTER. May you never experience this horrifying experience and if you have may the Good Lord Bless you and may you fight for your loss. I just want this food off the market and a definitive answer.
A TRUE HUMANE, COMPASIONATE LADY,
DANA B. GILL
June 2nd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Steve M -
So sorry for your kitties! Please keep us updated.
Just wondering if you would post/paste your comments on my site, as well, along with the tox. report too.
http://www.truthinfoodlabeling.com/index.php
Under: Problem Pet Food - NOT RECALLED
June 6th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Thanks to the fact that our dogs, two Pugs, a miniature Shnauzer and a long Haired Chihauhau, and their picky appetites, I began cooking there food 2 weeks before any recall was announced. Still since I feed them chicken breasts I fear that may be involved too. I buy raw meat and give that to the dogs.Some times I cook or just braise it. I think I have been really been lucky that they are very fussy eaters, they are our family. Joan Heckethorn.
June 6th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Hi, I am a staff reporter with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review looking for anyone who has had a positive lab report back on acetaminophen. Please contact me as soon as possible if this is you. Thanks,
Jerry Guo
Staff Reporter
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
jguo@tribweb.com
office: 412-380-8505
June 14th, 2007 at 11:45 am
what iams cat dry food are affected? i need to know!!!!
June 16th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
First of all, my heartfelt sympathies to all who have lost a beloved fur kid. I wish there was a way to ease your pain. My dogs mean the world to me and losing one - even to old age - is devastating.
I have read and researched pet foods for several years and used to feed Iams/Eukanuba until a few years ago. Then it was bought out by Proctor & Gamble. I started noticing differences in my dogs and the last bag of Iams I purchased said, “New and Improved Flavor.” What that means is we added something to make it taste better because we’ve cheapened the product! My dogs noticed the difference too and they didn’t like it.
We live in a rural area so choices have been limited in the past but I finally found a local source for Canidae dog food. My Chihuahuas have done wonderful on the Canidae All Life Stages and my cat loves the Felidae too. Their coats are soft and shiny again. I know all of the ingredients come from the US and the food is made in Texas.
Another good food is Eagle Pack. It is made in Indiana (both the dry and the canned) and the man who owns the company is a dog breeder. He belongs to the same all breed club as a friend of mine. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a local source for Eagle Pack or I would try that brand as well. People who are using it, recommend it highly and we know where to find the owner of that company. The dry food is made in the owner’s factory and the canned food is made by a local company that makes human food.
Someone asked about Timber Wolf Organics. There is nothing “organic” about their food and they refuse to say who manufactures it or where - a red flag for me. I also worry about any meats (buffalo, venison, etc.) that are imported. How do we know the import source is also the place of origin? Another person mentioned Solid Gold. That food is made by Diamond who obviously has had some serious quality control issues in recent years. I was deeply saddened to find out that Natural Balance was recalled and that it was made by Diamond.
I cannot begin to tell you all how grateful I am that my dogs have not been impacted by the recall. They are all doing well on the Canidae. I am by no means an “expert” on dog food but I have put a lot of time into researching the high end foods that are available and hope this information helps a bit. Let us hope and pray that nothing like this ever happens again!
June 17th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I got this from this website …
http://hubpages.com/hub/Kibble.....nformation
kim says:
7 weeks ago
is kibbles n bits dog food have a recall? my dog ate it and then started acting funny and throwing up and today she died.
Melinda says:
6 weeks ago
I was curious if anyone else has had problems with Kibbles-n-Bits, since I don’t see it on a recall list. My cat is dripping blood from his anus, and my dog has been throwing up since I’ve been feeding them this brand. I see several others have had occurances, so I’m not feeding it to them any more. It must be the food.
has anyone else had any problems with kibbles n bits ? ..
and has anyone had problems with the new one
Kibbles ‘n Bits Brushing Bitesâ„¢ ??
(my mother in law got a free sample at publix ) .. and if its bad we need to make sure they arn’t giving it out for free ya know …
please e-mail me because I might not check back here every day
mj12sGal4eva@yahoo.com
.. thanx ,,, L8rz Cindy :)
July 5th, 2007 at 4:43 am
we lost all but one puppy akc pugs the one left is going in to best friends for opp and to be fixed the parents are getting better but puppy a little malformed
July 19th, 2007 at 1:45 am
PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO EVERY PET OWNER AND PET LOVER … E-MAIL IT .. BLOG IT JUST SPREAD THE WORD
http://hubpages.com/hub/Class_....._Companies
Class Action Lawsuit File Against Pet Food Producers
This is a press release from Cathy MacIvor. Cathy MacIvor has filed a class action law suit in light of the recent pet food recall and the information the pet food producers are providing the public about the pet foods they produce.
Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pet Food Companies and Retailers For Misleading Consumers Regarding the Contents of Pet Food
“Premium” Pet Food Marketed and Sold as “Complete and Balanced” Has Historically Contained Such Items as Euthanized Dogs and Cats, Restaurant Grease, Hair, Hooves, and Diseased Animals, and Other Inedible Garbage
The Plaintiffs maintain that these companies have spent $300 million a year in making false and misleading marketing statements regarding the contents of their pet food to the dog and cat loving American public. While these Defendants tout their pet food products as choice cuts of prime beef, chunks of chicken, fish, fresh wholesome vegetables and whole grains to induce consumers to buy them, the Plaintiffs contend the food is actually made from “inedible” slaughterhouse waste products of the human food chain such as spines, heads, tails, hooves, hair, and blood. Rendering companies who process this waste have also added other inedible “waste” such as euthanized cats and dogs from veterinarian offices and animal shelters, road kill, zoo animals, rancid restaurant grease, toxic chemicals and additives. Additionally, dead animals and those declared unfit for human consumption due to disease and illness are also placed in the mix.
The lawsuit alleges that pet food companies market their products as wholesome, choice cuts of meat, natural and complete and balanced diets even though they are fully aware that this food is largely carbohydrates and sugars combined with toxic preservatives and additives with very little to no meat at all. The lawsuit seeks damages to consumers for the false representations made in the Defendants’ advertising as well as punitive damages.
“Sadly,” MacIvor said, “the Defendant pet food companies and retailers recognized that American pet owners love their cats and dogs like members of their family. The Defendants deceptive advertising specifically marketed premium healthy food to the American public knowing that they want to buy the best food that they can for their loved one and knowing that the food consists largely of garbage, chemicals, additives, diseased meat and even residual pentobarbital from euthanized animals.”
July 21st, 2007 at 2:10 am
The Defendants targeted in the Complaint produce pet foods under a wide array of brands and names including:
Pedigree®,
Sheba®,
Goodlife Recipe®,
Royal Canine,
Iams®,
Eukanuba®,
Science Diet®,
Prescription Diet®,
9 Lives®,
Amore®,
Gravy Train®,
Kibbles-n-Bits® and
Nature’s Recipe®,
Snausages®,
Milk Bone®
, Pup-Peroni®,
Meaty Bone®,
Canine’s Carry Outs®,
Jerky Treats®,
Wagwells®,
Alpo®,
Beneful®,
Beggin’ Strips®,
Dog, Cat, Puppy and Kitten Chow®,
Fancy Feast®,
Friskies®,
Mighty Dog®,
Deli-Cat®,
Pro Plan®,
Purina One®,
Natural Choice®
Dog and Cat Products, Max®
Dog Products, Max®
Cat Gourmet Classics,
Natural Choice®
Complete Care® for cats,
UltraTM Products for dogs,
Americas Choice Preferred Pets,
Authority,
Award,
Best Choice,
Big Bet,
Big Red,
Cadillac,
Companion,
Compliments,
Demoulus Market Basket,
Eukanuba,
Fine Feline Cat,
Food Lion,
Food Town,
Giant Companion,
Hannaford,
Hill Country Fare,
Hy-Vee,
Iams,
J.E. Mondou,
Laura Lynn,
Li’l Red, Loving Meals,
Medi-Cal,
Meijer’s Main Choice,
Mighty Dog Pouch,
Mixables,
Natural Life,
Nutriplan,
Nutro Max,
Nutro Max Gourmet Classics,
Nutro Natural Choice,
Ol’ Roy,
Paws,
Pet Essentials,
Pet Pride,
President’s Choice,
Price Chopper,
Priority US,
Publix,
Roche Brothers,
Save-a-Lot Special Blend,
Schnucks,
Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans,
Sophistacat,
Special Kitty,
Springfield Prize,
Sprout,
Stop and Shop Companion,
Tops Companion,
Wegmans,
Weis Total Pet,
Western family US,
White Rose,
Winn Dixie,
Your Pet,
LIFELongTM,
Ol’ Roy
and
Special Kitty brands of pet food.
September 14th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Dear Pet Lovers,
I own german shepherds. I had problems with all the foods and now using Canidia. I would like to
be notified if any problems with the current food.
Several months ago my cat was throwing up and not eating. She was trying to eat the dog food. I tried iams and the problems continued
now I am using 9 lives and ahe is improving.
Sincerely,
dd
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:11 pm
My dog fiora she was pretty picky with her food. She would only eat kibbles n bits. just in the beginning of this month i bought a new bag. she stopped eating and got really really thin. So we took her to the vet and they said her kidneys are failing and that i would only have at the most 2 months with her. it ended up being two days. what happened? i have no clue. they say that she did test positive for lyme disease but she is strictly indoors. it just doesn’t make any sense.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I have been using Kibbles ‘n Bits Brushing Bites for my dog.. She loves it I just want to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Anybody have a clue email me at ryanabooth@yahoo.com
January 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
We’ve fed our two labs and a cocker spaniel and they live out doors in a big fenced area. We have fed them pedigree, purina, and another dog food plus kibbles n chunks and kibbles n bits. Very recently they quit eating. The food is usually gone as soon as fed. We thought something was wrong with the kibbles n chunks, maybe spoiled, so trashed it and bought kibbles n bits because they liked it before. They still are not eating the dog food. We logged on to kibbles web site and notified them and asked about recall. Searched web and found this sight. Yesterday one of the dogs had vomited. We have them together so were not sure which one. They are akc and the female is in heat and very busy so we are expecting pups but concerned. Please let us know if there are recalls. Thanks. Date 1-9-08
January 13th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I have had the majority of my cats (those who ate the most dried food or lived on the dried food alone) go down with hind limb ataxia, frightened, falling, unable to walk more than 3 steps without staggering, eye focusing problems, 34+ kittens born dead or died screaming in agony and lost a stud, plus uterine inertia, massive haemorrhage and one a seizure all while eating Nutro dried food. Since I stopped feeding it the girls are all walking again and I have just had several litters born all alive and healthy. These symptoms matched those of Salinomycin Induced Polyneuropathy as occurred in The Netherlands to 823 cats in 1996. The company has showed no compassion and just in denial. Others who have contacted Nutro have told me of intimidating phone calls, emails and bullying tactics but still no concern for their pets. There are 4 breeds belonging to these owners and a domestic household pet… all with the same problems.
So the problem spreads now to your allies overseas and yet still nothing seems to be being done to show sorrow or to compensate victims.
Might I suggest we all stop buying this garbage and feed our pets as our grandparents did decades ago … fresh natural food being meat for carnivores. Junk food is JUNK.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
My son’s cat suddenly became very ill four days ago. We had to have him euthanized yesterday as the the x-ray showed that his kidneys were full of large tumors. My son had had started to feed the cat Nutro Complete Care Senior Indoor formula dry food and IAMS Indoor Formula dry food a few months ago.
On another note, one of my cats developed fibrosarcoma due to Rabies vaccines and had to be put down. See: “Cat Owners Must Weigh Vaccination Risks With Benefits” by University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcol.....cfm?id=287
Though I cook my dog his wet food I supplement it with “Kibbles n’ Bits” dry food. He has been eating it, though infrequently as the home cooked meals usually are enough to satisfy his appetite. So far he has remained in good health with a shiny coat and is full of energy.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
My 10 month old dog recently became sick after eating Natures Variety raw pet food. The vet tested her posotive for salmonella and she is dying. My vet thinks it is due to the raw food diet she was on.Has anyone out there have experienced anything similar with this brand of dog food?