Nutro Products, one of the major manufacturers of pet foods, has announced that it is voluntarily recalling several formulations of dry cat food.
Pet Food Recall Results from Error in Processing
According to Nutro Products, an error occurred in the production of two premixes which are used as supplements in Nutro cat foods. As a result of the processing error, the cat foods produced contain incorrect levels of zinc and potassium and are nutritionally imbalanced and therefore unsafe for cats.
Pet Food Recall Involves Nutro Brand Dry Cat Foods Only
The current recall involves only dry cat food products produced by Nutro Products. No other Nutro products are involved, according to the Nutro announcement of the recall. Nutro Products emphasizes that dog foods produced by Nutro are safe, as are wet cat food products and all dog and cat food treats manufactured by Nutro Products.
Products Named in the Cat Food Recall
The products being recalled are the Nutro Max Cat and Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care diets.
Specifically, the following diets have been recalled:
- Nutro Max Cat Adult Roasted Chicken
- Nutro Max Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken
- Nutro Max Cat Indoor Adult Salmon
- Nutro Max Cat Indoor Weight Control
- Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult Chicken
- Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten
- Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult Ocean Fish
All types of these products, including samples and bonus bags, are included in the pet food recall.
In addition, the "Best By" or "Best If Used By" dates on the recalled products are those dating from May 12, 2010 to August 22, 2010.
Cats Being Fed the Recalled Cat Food Diet
Cat owners who have been feeding the recalled pet foods to their cats are instructed to discontinue the feeding of these products immediately. The recalled cat food should be replaced by another nutritionally balanced cat food diet.
In addition, cat owners are advised to watch their cats for symptoms such as:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lack of appetite
- weight loss
If any of these symptoms are noted in a cat receiving one of the recalled cat foods, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.
Pregnant Cats at Risk with Recalled Cat Foods
Pregnant cats have enhanced nutritional needs because of the stresses placed on their body by the developing kittens. Nutro Products warns that these recalled cat foods which are nutritionally imbalanced can be especially dangerous for pregnant cats. Owners of pregnant cats who have been feeding any of the recalled pet foods are urged to contact a veterinarian immediately regarding their cat's health.
Refund or Exchange Offered for Recalled Cat Foods
Nutro Products is offering a full refund or an exchange of recalled cat foods for another Nutro brand of dry food. Consumers who have purchased the recalled pet foods should return them to the retailer where the food was purchased to take advantage of the refund or exchange.
