If you’re on social media, you have probably heard rumblings from pet parents who claim that their pets have fallen ill and died after eating Purina products under various labels. While the claims have not been substantiated, something is making pets sick. Therefore, we wanted to discuss how to proceed if you feed Purina products. We recommend you stay on top of developments because there is no proof or confirmation that these particular foods or brands are to blame. These are all allegations thus far.
Purina Products Allegedly Causing Pet Illnesses: Warnings from Pet Parents
The only information we have to go on right now is multiple warnings from pet parents who insist their pets have fallen seriously ill or passed after consuming specific products. Again, there has not been an investigation or recall regarding these claims. That said, food recalls start with these types of claims and should be considered, especially if your pet has shown signs of illness.
Pet parents in the Facebook group Saving Pets One Pet @ a Time have been very vocal about their concerns. The concerns include both dog and cat products across a variety of Purina-owned brands and formulations. To learn more, consider joining this group.
Purina Products Allegedly Causing Pet Illnesses: Next Steps
If you are feeding a potentially tarnished food, consider the following steps immediately:
- Contact your veterinarian to discuss any symptoms your pet may be displaying and learn what to watch out for
- Contact Purina directly for updates on your specific bag/batch by giving them the information on the bag
- Store a sample of the food in the freezer in case there is a class action lawsuit that you want to participate in
- SWITCH YOUR PET OFF THE SUSPECTED FOOD IMMEDIATELY
- Discard the food. Do not donate unused food or feed it to wildlife. It should be rolled up, bagged, and secured in a trash container to prevent illness in other pets and species
- Monitor your pet for any symptoms that may arise even after the transition off the suspected food
Purina Products Allegedly Causing Pet Illnesses: Stay on Top of Developments
Right now, we don’t have much information other than the allegations from pet parents. The FDA has confirmed that they are aware of the potentially tarnished foods and are launching an investigation. Because these investigations require a great deal of due diligence, it could be months before we have any updates from the FDA. Hopefully, the information circulating will be enough for pet parents to take their pets off the food and protect them from further illness or damage.
Many theories are going around about what may be causing the serious illnesses and unfortunate deaths related to this case but it’s too soon to know exactly what is to blame. Because kibble is made of many ingredients, it could take months to get to the bottom of this sad and concerning situation.
At Shoreline Happy Paws, we try to remain calm when these kinds of allegations start to arise. Because we do not have the expertise that the FDA and other pet-related agencies have, we follow their lead. That said, knowing that there are rumblings about a particular pet food brand or formulation is reason enough to stop feeding it. We would never advise an abrupt diet change for cats and dogs but, under these concerning circumstances, advise you to speak to your veterinarian and consider an immediate switch. This link details ways to alleviate any discomfort or illness due to immediate diet changes.
Connecticut Shoreline Pet Sitting & Dog Walking
To book dog walking, dog hiking, or pet sitting services in the CT Shoreline, please log in to your client profile. If you are new to Shoreline Happy Paws and would like to discuss your pet care needs, please create an account.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
We sincerely hope that the powers that be get to the bottom of this concerning and, for many, devastating mystery. Our hearts go out to anyone whose pets have fallen ill due to tarnished foods and a potential fatal error on the part of any pet food manufacturer.
