Primal Pet Foods is an organic line of raw food for dogs and cats. Based in San Mateo, Calif., Primal Pet Foods advertises that it uses only human grade. However, the Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken and Salmon formula showed salmonella contamination. Don't give it to your cats.
Affected products are 4-pound bags of Chicken and Salmon raw pet food with UPC# 8 95135 00025 0 and "Best by" date codes of 043112-17. To find where Primal Pet Foods are sold in your area, visit its website and type in your ZIP code.
If you have fed your cat Primal Pet Foods chicken and salmon, be watching for these symptoms of salmonella poisoning: lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and signs of abdominal discomfort. These symptoms are similar for humans.
Salmonella is communicable illness from pets to humans. Animals can also be carriers of salmonella and not ill themselves. This makes them dangerous to children and pet owners to whom they may pass the salmonella infection.
You should discard any unused or unopened portion of the Primal Pet Food product. Be sure to wrap leftover portion in a sealed container. Make sure that pets and wild animals can't get to the food and consume it. My cat can sniff out food garbage and he would eat it if left unsealed. Likewise, possums, skunks, raccoons and other wild creatures will be attracted by the smell.
Salmonella is typically not life threatening to healthy people and pets. Children, pregnant or nursing mothers, elderly and currently ill people or people with compromised immune systems are at risk. The same is true for animals. In fact, new research from Islamabad shows that immune system health is not only the best defense, it may be the only defense against salmonella.
The Primal Pet Foods is a voluntary recall. This means that their inspectors found the contamination and they are conducting the recall themselves. The company assures consumers that no illnesses have been reported and that they are doing this in an abundance of caution.
When Kroger recalled its Pet Pride and Old Yeller dog pet food in 2010 for aflatoxin poisoning, the point was made that cheap pet food was harmful to pets. It's clear with the Primal Pet Foods recall that expensive and even organic pet food can be contaminated too.
In fact, raw pet food is even more susceptible to food-borne bacteria. Untreated, chemical-free food is more vulnerable to improper sanitation. Raw foods require different storage and handling. When salmonella breaks out, it is usually in meat, dairy or raw vegetables and fruit. Raw pet foods may not be properly stored or refrigerated.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 22 years parenting four children, 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education, and home-school. She has also widely researched nutrition and health topics.
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