There have been several dog food and treat recalls in the past year, mainly due to chicken contamination or antibiotic residues of large quantities not being approved by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). Now cat food is on the chopping block!
Currently the cat food in question is the Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula (DNKF) products; their dry food variety. The reason for the recall is that there is a possibility for the product to have low levels of Vitamin B1, otherwise known in the scientific world as thiamine. This is dangerous to felines since thiamine performs a significant part in helping a cat’s body metabolize carbohydrates into energy along with several other important body function like maintaining the cat’s heart health and nervous system.
Although there are not currently any complaints or reported health issues about the thiamine levels in the DNKF, the food has been pulled as a precautionary measure. Thankfully it is only this one specific variety of Diamond Naturals that is in question, and only the one with a September 2013 Best By date and MKT0901 Production Code on the label.
The product sizes include the six ounce samples and six pound bags. To date the food in question has been produced in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and in Ontario, Quebec, Canada. The food could have been purchased in store or online. It is best to check the data specified above in order to be at ease about feeding your kitten this food. Remember, although no negative occurrences have been reported, the organization is working with the public to ensure that your kitten is not the first to have a bad reaction. Diamond Naturals simply wants to protect the health and safety of cats around North America and elsewhere.
If you do discover that you are in the possession of either size product, you will want to speak to your retailer and then make certain that you discard the product. It is very important that you do not feed this food to your feline because they could develop a B1 deficiency. If you are unsure if your food is the one in question because you discarded its packaging, it is best for you and your pet both to fill out and send in the Refund Request form and provide an alternative proof of purchase in order to get a full refund or a coupon for a free bag of the food.
If a deficiency develops and subsequently spreads, your cat’s nervous system may not function properly. The cats could present with weight loss, anorexia, muscle weakness, an abnormal mental state, a staggering gate, seizure activity and a bent or unusual neck position displayed. Without treating a cat for a B1 deficiency, it could progress rapidly without treatment. If the deficiency is caught in its early stages, it is relatively easy to correct by giving the feline a vitamin injection. Therefore it is really important to get your kitty to the vet if you suspect a thiamine deficiency.
In order to safeguard that this will not happen again, Diamond Pet Foods has added thiamine testing to their Test and Hold program. Now none of their products will be distributed into the marketplace without the product adhering to the new strict safety standards.
So check your kitten’s food stock, report and destroy if you have one of the products in question and feel assured that your feline is safe due to the fast actions and precautionary measures of Diamond Pet Foods.
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