There are reports of problems with Weruva Pet Food (BFF varieties) with cats in Australia. The company has reached out to TruthaboutPetFood.com multiple times trying to keep consumers updated. Here is what I know…
From the Weruva Facebook page:
Important announcement from Weruva:
We are aware of a small number of cats in Australia with health concerns, and we are researching any potential link to BFF canned foods unique to the Australian market. Out of an abundance of caution we have issued a Stop Sale Notice for BFF canned foods in Australia only. Once we receive test results and more information, we can quickly provide further updates. Customers outside of Australia, please be assured that all Weruva foods remain a safe choice.
Since this is a developing issue we have limited confirmed facts, and we want to keep you informed of the actions we are taking. We ask that you contact us directly at wecare@weruva.com or call us at 1-800-108-382 from Australia or at 1-800-776-5262 from North America. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
The Weruva website includes the same message on the opening page.
News reports from Australia on the cats illnesses – (it is unknown how many pets have become ill) have stated the pet food is manufactured in the US. This is incorrect per Weruva. The pet food in question was manufactured in Thailand and these varieties were only shipped to Australia (none of these varieties of pet food were shipped elsewhere).
Weruva has contacted me twice today (Sunday 5/7/17) regarding the problem in Australia – and I thank them for the transparency. When more is learned about the situation, it will be shared.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
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Mollie Morrissette
May 7, 2017 at 8:17 pm
Weruva’s transparency is to be applauded. I’m overjoyed that the first thing that greets you on their website is a popup telling consumers about their stop sale on their cat food in Australia (no need to scour their website for recall information), however, I wish they would have mentioned what type of health issues the cats in Australia are experiencing with their food.
Consumers may be interested to know that during the Evanger’s debacle, I contacted Weruva on March 21, 2017 to ask them if they had any of their canned food made at Evanger’s and they wrote me they have “have indefinitely suspended production of these items.”
Jenny
May 18, 2017 at 7:11 pm
We are in a group of affected owners who found each other on facebook – all formerly strangers – and between us about 20 of our beloved cats have died over a common timeframe, with common symptoms, all eating BFF. More than 30 in intensive care, some recovering, some with what seems to be permanent organ or neurological damage. That’s from a group of 270 people. So there’s some numbers for you. And the transparency of Weruva is not transparency; it is carefully-managed PR which is resulting in delays and increased suffering of owners and likely animals.
Andee
May 18, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Jenny where are you located, in the USA or elsewhere?
Judy Cervizzi
July 27, 2017 at 1:32 pm
OMG! My once healthy Persian g=cat got so ill on this cat food. Pancreatitis, kidney disease and a stroke. Please do not buy this food under any circumstances.
Kelly Higgins
May 7, 2017 at 8:25 pm
So nice to have a company contact you first. I applaud them.
Mollie Morrissette
May 7, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I forgot to mention – on February 24th, 2017 (during the Evanger’s debacle), Weruva sent a letter to their customers (distributors and retailers) that Evanger’s produced five items for Weruva (Kobe Master, Kobe Yume, Kobe Gyro, Kobe Hero, and Kobe Pagoda). Though Weruva felt they had no reason to “doubt the integrity of those products” made at Evanger’s, they discontinued production of those items at Evanger’s.
I’m not suggesting their is a link between the problems with Weruva’s BFF product and the Evanger’s pentobarbital contamination issue, but I thought it was worth noting simply as background information on Weruva.
Tracie
May 7, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Weruva’s popup is purposefully minimizing the scope of affected cats; they state that they are aware of a “small number of cats” that have been affected in Australia, and this is not accurate.
Go to Petbarn Australia’s FB page and you will see hundreds of posts about sick and dying cats, all with the same symptoms – lethargy, inability to walk, vomiting, refusal of food and water, painful hips and spine.
Some are positing mercury poisoning, some of these cats tested positive for FIP.
Applaud Weruva all you want, their product has sickened and killed hundreds of cats in Australia.
Affected cat guardians aren’t getting answers when they call Weruva either – they are being routed to an Indian call center with zero information.
So ask yourself: do you feel comfortable feeding this product here in the United States? All of their food is manufactured in Thailand and then distributed worldwide – who’s to say this is going to remain isolated to Australia?
I stopped feeding Weruva years ago when I noticed my cat’s excessive water consumption and weight loss, as well as loose stools. I don’t believe it’s a healthy product.
Kelly Higgins
May 8, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Well, that’s not good at all!
Jenny
May 18, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Tracie would you mind looking up and joining the BFF Recall Support Group on facebook? Or email me at jfoc@gmail.com (Justice For Our Cats). I’m an owner whose cat died, and I’m interested in what you say about the excessive water consumption of your cat and weight loss, and that you noticed this years ago. Thanks so much. Jenny.
marie
May 7, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Weruva’s claim that the food was made in the US is concerning per your comments: The pet food in question was manufactured in Thailand and these varieties were only shipped to Australia (none of these varieties of pet food were shipped elsewhere). I do sometimes feed Weruva (not BFF) as a “better than” option as I transition my cats onto a whole food diet. (75% there!)
These varieties could easily have been shipped to the US. I applaud their transparency too, yet it is on them to KNOW where their food is manufactured. And Mollie’s comment is well said. I would never do business with Evanger’s and find it suspect that Weruva did. Evanger’s bad rep is not news. I smell a rat. Nice transparency, but to what end? Manipulation?
Great catch Susan!
Sam Middleton
May 7, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Removing remaining product from shelves, personal notifications to individuals who are members of the Petbarn Loyalty Program and a website pop-up. A tragically insufficient response Weruva! Why were Australian national media and the RSPCA (an organisation whom kitty owners might reasonably turn to for further information), not informed of this directly by you?
Andee
May 19, 2017 at 8:39 am
Sam, great point. Guess it’s left up to us. WE can contact local media to let them know what’s happening. Here the local media would be happy to inform the public. Pet owners should know.
Bertha Kunst
May 8, 2017 at 3:17 am
Hello Susan, where I can find the official statement, that it is coming from Thailand.? Please help and advise, cause some more Asian countries are having their stock from Thailand, I want to let them know about but must have evidence. Thanks a lot
Susan Thixton
May 8, 2017 at 7:28 am
Hi Bertha – I don’t know where to direct you. I really don’t know more – sorry. If I learn more – I will let readers know.
Jenjen
May 19, 2017 at 4:08 pm
It’s written on the Australian cans.
“Made in Thailand”
Anita
May 8, 2017 at 5:25 am
As a cat owner in Australia who has been feeding their cat BFF, I have to respectfully disagree with their transparency.
We have struggled to get much information from them regarding what flavour cans are affected (it’s not all of them – only one destined for the Australian market) and also if we should be taking our seemingly ok cats to the vet for an urgent check up.
If you follow the posts on Weruva and Petbarn Facebook pages it appears that possibly a hundred or more cats and kittens have died already and many more are critically ill.
I hope more information comes to light soon for the poor families affected by this. We have been extremely lucky and must have avoided the flavour that caused the issue, but others have not been so lucky. To add salt to their wounds they have been dealt with poorly by Weruva customer service when they have called them for help.
It has opened our eyes to the scary pet food industry and we are transititiong our cat to a raw food diet and carefully reading all ingredients on our kibble to ease the worries of many fur families over here soon.
Anita
May 8, 2017 at 5:26 am
Sorry – my last sentence got cut and joined with one I had deleted already. The joys of iPhones. There should be a full stop after kibble!!
Tracie
May 8, 2017 at 11:51 am
Here’s the update on Weruva’s popup on their home page from today:
Regarding our recent announcement, all tested foods have come back clear.
Per veterinary guidance, initial testing focused on heavy metals (mercury and arsenic).
All foods tested have shown levels well below industry required standards for human and pet consumption.
We remain committed to our customers and their pets’ well being. We will continue to provide updates as they are available.
Well, I guess that’s that, Weruva – it must he only a coincidence that all cats affected were eating your BFF canned food…
Scott
May 8, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Is Australia still do irradiation on foods?
Andee
May 8, 2017 at 8:27 pm
I’m very disappointed and honestly, don’t know what to do anymore. After researching canned foods what seemed like forever, I chose Weruva after an email from the owners assuring me how safe the food was, how it was made in a human grade facility and went thru so many inspections and hasn’t been on any recall lists. I’ve been feeding Weruva for a few years now and altho my cat is very healthy (per his Vet), now I’m scared. Is there ANY safe canned food out there??? Years ago I had two cats who only ate Fancy Feast and both lived to 17 and 20 years with no problems. Call them lucky, but today I don’t know what to do next.
Deanna
May 18, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Although I do not have a Kitty on Weruva, I do have a Yorkie on Weruva. He has food/seasonal allergies and this has been his saving grace- however since this recall I’ve taken him off. I know it’s different, however I don’t care. I will not take a chance on my Babies life- Like you I’ve researched forever and chose Weruva, through the years it has been good to us, but I just can’t feed it knowing so many fur babies have passed- and taking that chance- I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know what I switched to Zignature- they do not have a Kitty line, however the same company that makes Zignature makes Fussie Cat- “ Pets Global” Maybe this is something you can look into!! My good friend feeds her Kitty Koha Pet- she highly recommends this brand!
Andee
June 15, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Deanna, I looked at a can of Fussie Cat and it’s also made in Thailand.
Veronica Sherman
May 18, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Small amount of cats?
Ugh..Sooooo many cats are horribly sick and many have died. My two beautiful cats passed away with very strange neurological symptoms. Me and my four kids want answers.
Andee
May 18, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Deanna, Thank you so much for replying to my post and offering the suggestions. I appreciate it very much and I’ll investigate further. I went into the pet food store and approached the aisle where the Weruva was and the entire shelf was empty! I panicked, thinking oh no, they’ve recalled everything! But they were just rearranging the canned foods and were moving it over an aisle. However, I agree about not taking any chances and altho my Scottish Fold has been on Weruva for years and is very healthy, I just can’t feed him this anymore until I’m certain it’s safe – and they still don’t know, do they? Not updating us, not explaining anything isn’t good.
Deanna
May 18, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Hi Andee,
No problem! My friend who feeds the Koha and I both are pet food nuts- we research and research- we both have Yorkies with sensitive issues/ allergies so we tend to have them on the same food. It is so hard to know what is safe anymore. I’m glad I had her inform me of the Zignature, like you, I would have no idea of what to switch him on as he has been on Wervua for a long time. I will tell you, Koha seems like a great alternative- I know she is very picky when it comes to what she feeds!! You know what is strange, the day they came out with the recall is the day I took my Dog off it, I had just opened a can and when I got home to throw it out, I took a smell to it, and I tell you it smelled different- it didn’t smell normal, as it should for being shredded chicken. I remember a couple months ago there was another time I had smelled a new can and it smelt off- I would advise anyone still feeding Weruva to their pets to take them off- at least until they figure this all out and we have solid answers!! I’m so glad your Scottish Fold is healthy. It is heartbreaking to hear and read all the horrible stories- My heart hurts for all the people who have lost their poor furbabies. No you’re right, not explaining anything isn’t good at all!! Like you I cannot continue to feed it.
P.S if you need any help with food questions, please let me know!
Andee
May 19, 2017 at 8:15 am
Where are you Deanna, in the USA or Australia? My Scottish Fold would sometimes smell then walk away from a can of Wureva, which I thought was odd since it was his favorite. I’d just throw it out. I feel so bad for some who are given this stuff and nothing else so they eat it because they’re hungry. Top Class Action Lawsuits maybe should hear from those whose pets have passed. Just a thought.
deannaroppo@live.com
May 19, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Yes, I’m in the USA.
Cat lover
May 19, 2017 at 8:07 am
Please, please, please Susan Thixton do your research on the Weruva situation in Australia. So many family cats dead, dying or critically ill from feeding their cars this food.
Andee
May 19, 2017 at 9:05 am
I hope we get some answers, Cat Lover, but it’s looking unlikely. And how do we know for certain this is only an issue in Australia? I’m sorry, but I don’t trust anyone now. We pay a high price for their premium food only to have this happen …. right now I think more of the public should be aware of the situation so they can make up their own minds whether or not to continue feeding this food to their pets. I’m sure if more people were aware they would stop feeding this to be on the safe side. I’m beyond angry. Please everyone contact your local media and let them know of the situation and hopefully they will get the word out. Explanations for this is not coming forward.
Simone Glossop
May 24, 2017 at 10:50 pm
Susan, cat lovers in Australia are devastated so many still have seriously sick cats or like myself have lost their family members. We do not believe weruva are being transparent at all, in fact they are being purposefully deceitful. The AVA released a statement on Tuesday saying that weruva have refused to work with them at all, they have not received ANY analysis of ANY of their foods, this is a highly unusual practice from a manufacturer. Weruva have also being directly contacting vets by passing their owners to seek our records also highly unusual, the AVA has advised all Aussie vets to refer them back to the AVA. Weruva is hiding test results. Thiamine does not fit with the majority of sick cats symptoms with some having only consumed a few cans before becoming violently ill. My own boy was treated immediately for deficiency and still lost his fight. Could you please consider another article with a more accurate representation of the situation now that it has been 3 weeks since this recall and we still have not seen any transparency from this company at all, only assurances that their us food is fine and that they are working with the AVA, which they clearly are not.
Susan Thixton
May 25, 2017 at 12:39 pm
If you could send me lab results, necropsy results – that would be helpful. Hard for me to investigate this without information.
Simone
May 25, 2017 at 6:01 pm
I will email you later today.
Andee
May 25, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Thank you Simone for the update as far as you know. There is something very wrong going on with this company and in my opinion, pet owners even here in the USA should not be taking any chances with their food, no matter what they say. Also, as I stated before, do a good deed by alerting your local media, it may save some lives. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Simone
May 26, 2017 at 12:16 am
Thank you you’re very kind it’s been a very tough time for many fur parents. We are confident all will come out in the end.
Sam Middleton
May 25, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Susan why is the BFF “stop sale” not on your Recalls page please?
Susan Thixton
May 25, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Because that is for Australia – not North America. I don’t typical post recalls or stop sales from around the globe (couldn’t keep track of them all).
Simone
May 25, 2017 at 9:53 pm
They have admitting to one deficiency in their food now it should have already been updated to recall, but again they are ignoring owners requests.
Susan Thixton
May 25, 2017 at 11:19 pm
I’ve been told it was a thiamine deficiency. I don’t know AU regulations – so I don’t know if the deficiency is grounds for recall, or not. Or if AU has established minimum and maximums for thiamine. Just don’t know the regulations there.
Joan Johnston
May 26, 2017 at 9:13 pm
OK I bought a case of Weruva Grandma’s Chicken Soup. One of my cats has megacolon so I feed her separately. She throws up the Grandma’s Chicken Soup I bought just for her. I’m not feeding her this anymore. Should I offer them to my other cats? Or just throw them away? I’m leaning towards just throwing them away.
Andee
May 30, 2017 at 6:54 pm
I’d return it to the store. I always return food my cat won’t eat. And if you tell them about the Weruva recall in Australia, they shouldn’t have a problem accepting it back.
Catherine Scarano
June 13, 2017 at 10:13 am
Is it possible that the cats that are ill have yellow fat disease? My cat has been eating BFF Too Cool Tuna along with dry food. He has lost a lot of weight and his coat is greasy. His bloodwork, ultrasound and xray has not shown any cause for his illness. I asked my vet to check his Vitamin E level to see if it could possible be yellow fat disease which is caused by eating fish (especially tuna) exclusively. The cause is eating too much unsaturated fat which lowers the levels of Vitamin E.
Cindy
June 13, 2017 at 7:35 pm
I’m deeply involved in animal rescue. We received a large donation of Weruva and BFF catfood. I’d never heard of these brands, so I Googled. OMG. I will not feed this to our feral colonies and rescues until I know for sure that it is safe. I’m in New Jersey. Does anyone know for sure that these brands are safe???
Andee
June 15, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Cindy, the BBF isn’t safe in Australia but who knows about here in the USA. They haven’t come forward yet with an explanation – so they don’t know – and if they don’t know, how do we know it’s safe? Thank you for doing such good work with the animals, you have a heart of gold!
Margarita Bloom
July 22, 2017 at 12:27 pm
I’m in the US and didn’t know about these recalls so bought some of the BFF tuna and chicken grain free cat food from Chewy.com thinking it would be a safe healthy food for my cats. At first I was thrilled about it because my cats seemed to absolutely love the taste of it but then after a short time one of my kitties got seriously ill….he was lethargic, vomiting like 4-5 times in the span of half a day, had mucousy diarrhea and strained to go to the bathroom, he even had a drippy bum!! he didn’t want to eat, drink water or clean himself. He sat in the corner under a chair in the dark looking depressed. I knew something was extremely wrong as my baby boy was was normally extremely energetic but didn’t know what it was. I had to go to the emergency vet and have a huge bill now, but I didn’t care if it would help my sweet boy. On a whim, I looked up online to see if anyone else had the same issues and low and behold found out that there had been a recall in AU in this year with the same brand and that my kitty had the exact same symptoms! I was shocked that something I had thought would be a healthy food for my cat turned out to be hurting them instead. My kitty had to have fluids, an anti throw up medicine, and a whole slew of probiotics that he has to take for awhile but he seems to be getting better thank god. He actually ate the boiled chicken I made for him and is looking more like his usual self!! I hope he doesn’t have any more issues….he hasn’t had a solid poop yet. Compared to these other cases I see where kitties have neurological issues and death!! (OMG!) I’m so thankful I immediately stopped feeding it to my kitties so that it didn’t get more severe. I wanted to let peeps know about this so it doesn’t happen to them!!! I’m crying and kissing my kitty’s head right now…I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to him or my other kitties.
Simone
July 23, 2017 at 10:23 am
So sorry about your kitty please request the bff recall information group on fb I’d love to hear more
Andee
July 22, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Thank you Margarita for posting your experience with this food and I’m so glad your kitty is getting back to normal. Please contact the company about this because obviously it isn’t just a problem in Australia and they should look into it further. Chewy.com also. How many of our precious pets need to suffer before they recall this stuff and warn the public. Money money money, that’s what it’s all about.
Carrie
November 25, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Has there been an update on the recall? It’s now November 25. I’m in the US and have been giving my cat BFF for the last 3 weeks. A few days ago, he started eating less and now he hasn’t eaten in 48 hours. He throws up bile, has diarrhea and won’t even go near ANY food (dry, different brand, even human grade tuna). I’m taking him to the vet tomorrow.
blowyourfunnyfuse
February 27, 2019 at 3:43 am
Any update on your cat Carrie?
Wanda
August 9, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Has the problem with Weruva foods been settled? Do people think it is now safe in 2019?
Sarah
February 19, 2024 at 5:37 am
I’m wondering if there’s still issues with Weruva for cats. I spent 8 hours in emergency care with my cat this weekend. Diarrhea is the main issue and it came on after about 6 weeks of being on this new food. They did X-rays and couldn’t find any objects in his GI tract, they found gas which suggests inflammation of the GI tract. The ER vet casually mentioned she’s seen several dogs in her facility who were in Weruva but obviously couldn’t comment that was for sure the situation with our cat. I’m just starting to wonder seeing this thread here. Thank you for the info. What brands of “healthy “ cat food is safe? I’m starting to wonder why we pay so much for food just to end up with a sick cat!