Ensuring the well-being of our pets is a significant responsibility, one that demands careful attention and care. Similar to raising a child, we must provide them with proper nourishment, exercise, and a comfortable living environment. However, when it comes to their food, many people unknowingly put their beloved pets at risk by opting for the cheapest options available.
Recent heartbreaking incidents have shed light on a grave danger lurking in our pets’ food. Several dog deaths have been attributed solely to one cause: poison found in their meals. The realization that your dog’s food could be more dangerous than you ever imagined is truly alarming.
Nikki Mael, whose story underscores the urgency of this issue, shared her harrowing experience with CBS 12. Mael fed her five dogs a can of Evanger’s dog food, only to have one of them, Talula, fall seriously ill. Tragically, Talula’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away shortly thereafter. Mael expressed her anguish, stating, “Not fair. I mean, I would give anything to see Talula again. They were falling over. They were running into the walls. They were convulsing.”
In search of answers, Mael promptly sent a sample of the dog food to a laboratory for analysis. The results were shocking. Tests conducted by CBS 12 revealed the presence of pentobarbital, a substance commonly used for euthanizing animals, in the sample. This discovery prompted further investigation into other pet food brands manufactured by Big Heart Pet Foods, including Gravy Train, Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles’nBits, Natural Balance, 9 Lives, Nature’s Recipe, Pup-Peroni, Canine Carry Outs, Alley Cat, Jerky Treats, Meaty Bone, Pounce, Milo’s Kitchen, and Snausages, all of which are owned by J.M. Smucker’s.
The confirmation of pentobarbital in Gravy Train compelled CBS 12 to raise awareness about this critical issue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued a warning about pet food containing pentobarbital, highlighting symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus, and inability to stand. High levels of pentobarbital can lead to coma and death.
In response to these revelations, J.M. Smucker’s has initiated a recall of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy canned dog food. The company released a statement acknowledging a “single supplier and a single, minor ingredient” as the root cause of the contamination, emphasizing that they are committed to providing high-quality food for pets.
The most crucial action pet owners can take to address this grave situation is to stop purchasing pet food from this company. If you have any of the recalled items in your cabinets, it is imperative to dispose of them immediately to prevent your pet from suffering the same fate as Talula. Equally important is spreading awareness of this warning among fellow pet owners. Our beloved animals deserve to consume safe and nutritious food, and by sharing this information, we can help protect their well-being.
Let us prioritize the health and safety of our furry companions by making informed choices about the food we provide them. Together, we can ensure that our pets receive the care and nourishment they deserve.
