What foods are involved in the recall?
Why is gluten toxic?
What is the toxin that contaminated the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate?
What happens to affected animals?
Is this clinical presentation unique to ingestion of the recalled foods?
Is the entire commercial pet food supply tainted?
Is commercial pet food bad for my pet?
What should I feed my pet?
Can I make my pet’s food at home?
What about raw food?

Q.  What foods are involved in the recall?
A.  The list of recalled foods includes foods produced between Nov. 2006 and Mar. 2007, which used wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate from a specific source in China that was contaminated.  The complete list of recalled foods can be obtained at the manufacturers (Menu Foods) website:  www.menufoods.com/recall/

Q.  Why is gluten toxic?
A.  The wheat and rice gluten is not in itself toxic.  Wheat and rice gluten are common ingredients in pet (and human) foods.  The problem seems to be that a large batch of these products, imported to be utilized in pet foods, was contaminated before it was shipped to the pet food manufacturer.

Q.  What is the toxin that contaminated the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate?
A.  The most likely contaminant is melamine, which is used in production of plastics, and is also used as a fertilizer in China.  Originally the toxin was thought to be aminopterin (a rodenticide and chemotherapy drug), but sources now do not believe it to be the culprit.  Melamine has been found in high levels in the gluten in question, but it is still not 100% clear if it is the sole substance creating the illness noted in pets.  It has also not been determined how melamine could create the illness that has been reported.  There is still a chance that other chemicals will be found that better explain the scenario that is occurring.

Q.  What happens to affected animals?
A.  The most commonly reported clinical scenario is acute kidney failure.  Pets often vomit soon after eating the food, then become lethargic and inappetent.  Laboratory work reveals renal failure.  There have been reports of less severely affected pets showing signs of more mild kidney disease (drinking and urinating more, poor appetite, vomiting) days or weeks after eating the food.

Q.  Is this clinical presentation unique to ingestion of the recalled foods?
A.  No!  Renal disease (both acute and chronic) is very common in dogs and cats.  Just because a patient develops renal disease does not mean that the diet has caused it.  Clients with pets having newly diagnosed renal disease should be questioned as to their pet’s diet.

Q.  Is the entire commercial pet food supply tainted?
A.  No!  This problem is related to only foods made using this tainted gluten.  In most cases this involves “chunks and gravy” type foods, though there are exceptions.  Once the contaminated gluten is identified and safe gluten is utilized, even currently recalled foods will again be safe.

Q.  Is commercial pet food bad for my pet?
A.  No!  In the last three decades the average life span of dogs and cats has increased dramatically.  This is due to two main factors.  Firstly, good proactive veterinary care has become the norm.  Secondly, good quality commercial pet foods are being fed. 

Q.  What should I feed my pet?
A.  The best source of nutritional information for your pet is your veterinarian.  In most cases they will recommend a commercial food made by a “science based” food company.  That is, a company that does continuous research into pet nutrition and alters their formulations based on the results of this research.

Q.  Can I make my pet’s food at home?
A.  Yes, home cooking of pet food is possible, though it is very time consuming.  Balancing the diet is extremely important for the pet, so specific recipes must be used.  Again, your veterinarian is your best source for information on recipes for home cooked pet food.

Q.  What about raw food?
A.  Feeding raw meat based foods to dogs and cats is a current fad; it is also potentially a very dangerous fad.  These foods (both homemade and commercial) have high levels of potentially serious bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter) in them that could theoretically infect either the pet ingesting them or the people in contact with the pet.  The nutritional adequacy of these diets is also not defined (in fact, deficiencies have been documented).  The purported benefits of feeding these diets have not been proven.  All in all, the risks of feeding raw foods far outweigh any perceived benefit.