Pet Food Recall: Dry Food List Grows, Optional Cat & Dog Food Sought

The pet food recall hasn't slowed at all.  Each day seemingly brings more dog and cat food recall reports from different and new companies.  Now pet owners are hitting what appears to be a breaking point and are searching for the lists of the recalled foods, calling veterinarians in a panic and scouring dog and cat food labels and guessing what food is safe.  It is getting very difficult and now many are seeking options and alternatives to traditional pet food to geed their animals.

Pet Food Recall: Dry Food List Grows, Optional Cat & Dog Food Sought

Researchers are still finding cat and dog food made with wheat gluten and rice protein powder contaminated with melamine - a plastic used to make dishes. The tainted grain products have been traced to companies in China.

***

"Pet owners shouldn't use any pet food made with grain," said Lynn Maciel, the manager of Western Feed and Pet Supply Store in Orangevale, California according to News 10.  She's telling customers about a California firm called Nutura that makes pet chow that's sold in independent supply stores. Nutura sells dry and wet pet food under the California Natural Brand. Macial says the company uses ingredients grown organically.

A report on the TV's website says some customers have give up on store bought food and are now cooking their pet's foods and preparing meals on the stove.  "Cooking chicken and other kinds of meat will keep you pet going but they don't contain all the nutrients and vitamins that cats and dogs need," said Maciel. She said another organic meat and vegetable product that's safe for animals is Primal.

***

Authorities said Friday that the gluten and rice protein concentrate - an ingredient in pet foods - might have been intentionally altered to increase their protein concentration.  The Food and Drug Administration says 200 animals have succumbed to tainted pet food. More than 1,000 have been sickened. The Web site Pet Connection.Com claims contaminated food has killed more then 4,000 pets.

The AVMA has a link in this article that gives a wide list: Full Cat & Dog Food Recall, Treats Recall List Online