Two sick cats, another died. The veterinarian that is caring for the remaining pets feels confident pet food is to blame. The pet food company feels confident something else made the cats ill. Who do we believe?
Prior to the 2007 deadly pet food recall, many pet owners with a sick or dying pet would be left confused as to the reason why. However, post 2007 pet food recall, almost every pet owner that suffers an unexplained illness or death of a pet believes in their heart the cause was tainted pet food.
Furthermore, post 2007 pet food recall, most practicing veterinarians continue to turn a blind eye to the possibility of a tainted pet food causing a pet illness AND continue to recommend pet owners to purchase pet foods containing by-products, chemical preservatives, and inferior ingredients.
The ONLY glimmer of hope that came out of the 2007 pet food recall is pet owner awareness of how deadly pet food can actually be. Pet owners have learned the hard way; in an instant the four legged love of your life can be taken from you. In an instant, a dog food or cat food can kill. Many pet owners have learned ingredient definitions and become aware of the health benefits of some pet foods, most likely due to the 2007 pet food recall. However, are we now suffering from pet food suspicion overkill?
Wednesday evening July 8th, Sandy Blackburn, a long time supporter of TruthaboutPetFood.com called me; a friend of hers has two seriously ill cats, another cat died. Sandy shared with me the pet owner has been feeding Diamond Naturals Cat Food; she also shared that the veterinarian that has been treating the cats firmly believes the cat food is the cause. Shortly after this conversation, Dr. Cathy Alinovi DVM of Hoofstock Veterinary Service (Pine Village, Indiana) called me and confirmed her belief that the pet food is the cause of the cat death and illnesses.
A phone call to Diamond Pet Foods led me to Dr. Rettenmaier. Dr. Rettenmaier has spoken with the pet owner, and adamantly believes the pet food is not to blame. When asked if Diamond has had any other reports of sick cats (vomiting and severe bloody diarrhea), I was told “we don’t have anything along that line” of complaints. It was confirmed that Diamond Pet Food does NOT purchase vitamins and minerals from the same supplier as Nutro Cat food which recently recalled some foods.
Dr. Rettenmaier of Diamond Pet Foods made some very good points in our conversation. She stated…
The sick cats could have eaten something in the house – something not related to pet food that caused their illness.
This is completely true. There is not one of us that follows our pets around 24/7 to monitor everything they eat or come in contact with. There are hundreds of possibilities within every home that can cause an illness and perhaps a death of a pet.
Dr. Rettenmaier (Diamond Pet Foods) also stated that a pet food could be stored improperly within the home and become contaminated with mold or chemicals.
Again, this is completely true. Improper storage of a dog food or cat food within our homes could cause the food to become moldy or the food could become contaminated with household chemicals. Moldy pet food and pet food contaminated with household chemicals CAN cause a pet’s death and/or illness.
Understandably, Dr. Rettenmaier of Diamond Pet Foods took the stance that the pet owner perhaps was inadvertently responsible. Dr. Rettenmaier did not agree that the pet food was suspect; furthermore she believes Diamond Pet Foods is doing everything they can to investigate what has happened to these three cats. She share that Diamond is continuing their investigation, they will speak with the treating veterinarian Dr. Alinovi, and continue conversation with the pet owner until a resolution is found.
So…do we pet owners suffer from pet food suspicion overkill? Do we immediately jump to the conclusion that a dog food or cat food is strictly to blame for the illness or death of our pet?
I can share with you that I certainly do; and I believe I have a completely valid reason for feeling that way.
Yes, there are a multitude of things that can go wrong within our homes. Our dogs and cats can walk across a freshly cleaned floor, the chemical within the floor cleaner gets on their feet and they lick their feet ingesting the chemicals. Yes, some pet owners are reckless with storage of dog food or cat food allowing moisture or chemicals to penetrate the bag.
However, those of us that have learned how quickly our pets can be taken from us, have also learned all the other lessons about risky household chemicals and pet food storage. That’s one of the things that happens to a pet owner when they lose a pet from ‘unknown causes’, we suddenly become extremely aware of every possible risk inside and outside of our homes. I can tell you since losing my dog almost 18 years ago to chemical preservatives in her food, it not only changed the food I gave my pets, it changed the food I gave to my children and ate myself, it changed the chemicals I allowed in the house; it changed everything.
To Big Pet Food that continues to stick their head in the sand, yes, pet owners are suffering from pet food suspicion overkill. Pet food as a whole caused us to be this way. Only Big Pet Food has the ability to ease our suspicions. If you want us to trust you, do something! We’ll stop jumping to the conclusion the cause is only pet food when you do something to change our minds. Figure it out.
Is there a problem with Diamond Naturals Cat Food? I don’t know. No one knows for certain right now. Pet owners should be cautiously aware of any food they provide their pet, Diamond Naturals included.
A special thank you goes to Dr. Cathy Alinovi of Hoofstock Veterinary Service in Indiana!
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 2500 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com
Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter? Click Here to subscribe
Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter
Become a Fan of Truth about Pet Food, Dinner PAWsible, Buyer Beware on Facebook
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
