More pet food recalls

[javasaurus]

This morning's news includes more pet food recalls. One of the companies affected is a prescription brand, "Royal Canin," though only eight of their products are currently recalled.

The current theory seems is that one or more Chinese protein companies have added melamine to their wheat and rice protein products. The melamine makes the protein product score higher in nutrition tests (without actually improving nutritional value). The melamine itself is not considered to be toxic at low doses (it can cause kidney stones at higher doses, though). However, it can degrade upon heating, forming ammonia, which is toxic. The animals that have suffered from food poisoning have had symptoms similar to ammonia poisoning, which supports the current theory.

Don't trust the news to get timely info to you about your current pet food products. Go to the food company's web site and see if your pet's food has been recalled.

Comments

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up. So far, the food I feed my kitties hasn't been recalled. I wonder every morning when I feed them if the food is tainted. I'm tempted to just boil up some chicken (sans bones, of course) and other things like that to avoid the risk. Unfortunately, I know I'd never get them back on regular catfood after that! :)

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

There is also the problem that kitties need certain amino acids and unless you are sure that what you are feeding them has that (plus all the vitamins/minerals that they need); they will get sick.

Early zoos had problems with their big cats when fed straight meat. In the wild, they eat all of their kill which includes the pre-processed veggies in the intestines.

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

Yep. That's the "other things" bit, and I'd of course contact the cats' vet first.

Not going that route, though, unless I have to. Besides, it's too much like cooking. ;)

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

I figured you would check with the vets but just in case someone else thought it was a good idea. I remember when the dog I grew up with developed kidney issues; we had a couple of choices including making our own to a specific recipe. We decided that canned was MUCH simpler.