Demand higher standards in the AAFCO's regulation and labeling of commercial pet foods.
The Issue
A warning to cat owners that use commercial pet food:
My cat Chips ate Taste of the Wild Pet Food' (sub. of Diamond Pet Food) Canyon River Feline Dry Food Formula for over a year.
Two days ago, my cat Chips died from complications relating to Cystitis, a disease that was encouraged by the food he had been consuming. He was five years old.
On Tuesday, I noticed that Chips was unable to urinate. The Veterinarian diagnosed Chips with Feline Cystitis in the form of crystals in the bladder and had to "unblock" his urethra immediately so he would not go into cardiac arrest. Suddenly, my happy, healthy, five year old male cat was facing death.
My veteran Veterinarian directly linked the disease to the brand of food I had been feeding the cat. She explained that the PH of Taste of the Wild's feline food created an environment that encouraged the formation of crystals in the bladder. Cystitis is a chronic disease that elicits major surgery with no guarantee of success. This disease can be fatal if not treated medically. According to the vet, most commercial pet food is linked to this disease.
After receiving the news, I emailed both Taste of the Wild and their parent company, Diamond Pet Food, expressing concern about their product. Its been four days since I wrote my inquiry; both companies have yet to respond.
Less than 24 hours later, Chips was lethargic and visibly ill. I brought him to the Emergency Room and they had to perform an emergency unblocking procedure for a second time. They kept him overnight with a catheter and emptied his bladder manually. Unable to afford additional medical expenses, I brought Chips home and spent the next day monitoring his health.
By late afternoon, Chips' condition had deteriorated. I rushed him to the Veterinarian for a third time to discover that he was blocked yet again. When I arrived, Chips' bladder was hard and swollen (the size of an orange). He was immediately sedated and I was left with the decision to unblock him for a third time in 48 hours, hope that he wouldn't re-block immediately and prepare for major surgery, or give him a peaceful way out.
Due to the chronic nature of his blockages and the amount of debris in his bladder, the vet suggested euthanization. I decided to let him go.
Chips was already sedated at the time, so I said goodbye to his lifeless body and left with an empty cage. In just three days, my beautiful friend was no more.
I still can't believe that he's gone; there hasn't been a day without tears.
I was buying Taste of the Wild's dry food at a high price tag from a local pet boutique, thinking that I was investing in a healthy, quality product for my beloved friend. Instead of seeing the benefits one would expect from "healthy" pet food, I wound up loosing my furry companion and paying thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Know about the food you're feeding your pet and demand higher quality food overall for our four-legged friends.
Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats SHOULD NOT be manufactured, lest labeled as a food for "all cats".
According to Taste of the Wild's website, "Taste of the Wild® Canyon River Feline® Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages."
The AAFCO states that food branded 'All Life Stages' must subscribe to the following requirements: "Complete and balanced pet foods are those that are intended to be the sole diet of the pet (except for water) and provide all nutrients that we know the pet needs for its specific life stage... If intended for specific life stages, those must be indicated in the claim, otherwise it is assumed for all life stages."
A routine check-up every year and a urine test months before Chips' death showed no warning signs that the diet needed to be altered. According to the AAFCO, the dry food I was feeding my cat fit the requirements for a "complete and balanced pet food... intended to be the SOLE DIET of the pet".
The underlying problem is that Taste of the Wild's brand of dry feline formula is approved as a "sole diet" of cats. Cats, plural, meaning all cats. For those that aren't aware, neutered male cats have a higher risk of developing Feline Urinary Tract Diseases than female cats. Once crystals have developed in the bladder, the neutered male cat's narrow urethra is unable to pass debris rendering the cat inept to release toxins.
How could the AAFCO label dry food as an acceptable diet for "all life stages" when it is well-known that male cats are prone to developing cystitis when subscribing to that diet? The language used to label this product is misleading; the product is not suited as a "sole diet" for cats - it is more correctly suited as a "sole diet" for cats that have very little chance of developing cystitis. Therefore, the product should be labeled accordingly - "Not for neutered male cats or cats with a history of UTI's".
Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats SHOULD NOT be manufactured.
Commercial Pet Food Companies:
We want you to make products that are safe, healthy, promote longevity and provide well-balanced nutrition to our beloved four-legged companions. Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats should not be manufactured.
We expect your company to market your products with honesty and transparency, and strive to provide the healthiest product available.
We want you to educate your team and your customers about pet health, and develop products that are designed to accommodate animals from all walks of life.
In regards to recalls that result in illness and death, we want you to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, so that no more life is lost due to your ignorance in manufacturing a product that is so incredibly precious.
Take responsibility for your product and treat food with the respect it commands.
---
Links relating to Taste of the Wild Pet Foods & their parent company, Diamond Pet Foods
Taste of the Wild Pet Food: http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/
Diamond Pet Foods: http://www.diamondpet.com/
Chips' Taste of the Wild formula: http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/cat-formulas/canyon-river-feline-formula-with-trout-smoked-salmon/
Lawsuits against Diamond Pet Foods:
Diamond Pet Foods Settlement (2008): http://www.recalledpetfoodsettlement.com/
Diamond Pet Foods Recall (2012):
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-news/diamond-dog-food-recall-risk/
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-summary/
Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Outbreak (2012):
http://poisonedpets.com/diamond-pet-foods-hit-with-class-action-suit-over-salmonella-outbreak/
Read a copy of the 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Recall Class Action Lawsuit here.
Diamond Pet Foods Recall Settlement (2014): http://www.diamondpetfoodssettlement.com/
http://legalnewsline.com/stories/510517341-diamond-pet-foods-agrees-to-class-action-settlement
To find even more information about Diamond Pet Foods and their multiple recalls and lawsuits, conduct a simple Google search.
Petition Closed
The Issue
A warning to cat owners that use commercial pet food:
My cat Chips ate Taste of the Wild Pet Food' (sub. of Diamond Pet Food) Canyon River Feline Dry Food Formula for over a year.
Two days ago, my cat Chips died from complications relating to Cystitis, a disease that was encouraged by the food he had been consuming. He was five years old.
On Tuesday, I noticed that Chips was unable to urinate. The Veterinarian diagnosed Chips with Feline Cystitis in the form of crystals in the bladder and had to "unblock" his urethra immediately so he would not go into cardiac arrest. Suddenly, my happy, healthy, five year old male cat was facing death.
My veteran Veterinarian directly linked the disease to the brand of food I had been feeding the cat. She explained that the PH of Taste of the Wild's feline food created an environment that encouraged the formation of crystals in the bladder. Cystitis is a chronic disease that elicits major surgery with no guarantee of success. This disease can be fatal if not treated medically. According to the vet, most commercial pet food is linked to this disease.
After receiving the news, I emailed both Taste of the Wild and their parent company, Diamond Pet Food, expressing concern about their product. Its been four days since I wrote my inquiry; both companies have yet to respond.
Less than 24 hours later, Chips was lethargic and visibly ill. I brought him to the Emergency Room and they had to perform an emergency unblocking procedure for a second time. They kept him overnight with a catheter and emptied his bladder manually. Unable to afford additional medical expenses, I brought Chips home and spent the next day monitoring his health.
By late afternoon, Chips' condition had deteriorated. I rushed him to the Veterinarian for a third time to discover that he was blocked yet again. When I arrived, Chips' bladder was hard and swollen (the size of an orange). He was immediately sedated and I was left with the decision to unblock him for a third time in 48 hours, hope that he wouldn't re-block immediately and prepare for major surgery, or give him a peaceful way out.
Due to the chronic nature of his blockages and the amount of debris in his bladder, the vet suggested euthanization. I decided to let him go.
Chips was already sedated at the time, so I said goodbye to his lifeless body and left with an empty cage. In just three days, my beautiful friend was no more.
I still can't believe that he's gone; there hasn't been a day without tears.
I was buying Taste of the Wild's dry food at a high price tag from a local pet boutique, thinking that I was investing in a healthy, quality product for my beloved friend. Instead of seeing the benefits one would expect from "healthy" pet food, I wound up loosing my furry companion and paying thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Know about the food you're feeding your pet and demand higher quality food overall for our four-legged friends.
Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats SHOULD NOT be manufactured, lest labeled as a food for "all cats".
According to Taste of the Wild's website, "Taste of the Wild® Canyon River Feline® Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages."
The AAFCO states that food branded 'All Life Stages' must subscribe to the following requirements: "Complete and balanced pet foods are those that are intended to be the sole diet of the pet (except for water) and provide all nutrients that we know the pet needs for its specific life stage... If intended for specific life stages, those must be indicated in the claim, otherwise it is assumed for all life stages."
A routine check-up every year and a urine test months before Chips' death showed no warning signs that the diet needed to be altered. According to the AAFCO, the dry food I was feeding my cat fit the requirements for a "complete and balanced pet food... intended to be the SOLE DIET of the pet".
The underlying problem is that Taste of the Wild's brand of dry feline formula is approved as a "sole diet" of cats. Cats, plural, meaning all cats. For those that aren't aware, neutered male cats have a higher risk of developing Feline Urinary Tract Diseases than female cats. Once crystals have developed in the bladder, the neutered male cat's narrow urethra is unable to pass debris rendering the cat inept to release toxins.
How could the AAFCO label dry food as an acceptable diet for "all life stages" when it is well-known that male cats are prone to developing cystitis when subscribing to that diet? The language used to label this product is misleading; the product is not suited as a "sole diet" for cats - it is more correctly suited as a "sole diet" for cats that have very little chance of developing cystitis. Therefore, the product should be labeled accordingly - "Not for neutered male cats or cats with a history of UTI's".
Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats SHOULD NOT be manufactured.
Commercial Pet Food Companies:
We want you to make products that are safe, healthy, promote longevity and provide well-balanced nutrition to our beloved four-legged companions. Feline formulas that encourage the progression of a very common disease known to be fatal to cats should not be manufactured.
We expect your company to market your products with honesty and transparency, and strive to provide the healthiest product available.
We want you to educate your team and your customers about pet health, and develop products that are designed to accommodate animals from all walks of life.
In regards to recalls that result in illness and death, we want you to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, so that no more life is lost due to your ignorance in manufacturing a product that is so incredibly precious.
Take responsibility for your product and treat food with the respect it commands.
---
Links relating to Taste of the Wild Pet Foods & their parent company, Diamond Pet Foods
Taste of the Wild Pet Food: http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/
Diamond Pet Foods: http://www.diamondpet.com/
Chips' Taste of the Wild formula: http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/cat-formulas/canyon-river-feline-formula-with-trout-smoked-salmon/
Lawsuits against Diamond Pet Foods:
Diamond Pet Foods Settlement (2008): http://www.recalledpetfoodsettlement.com/
Diamond Pet Foods Recall (2012):
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-news/diamond-dog-food-recall-risk/
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/diamond-dog-food-recall-summary/
Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Outbreak (2012):
http://poisonedpets.com/diamond-pet-foods-hit-with-class-action-suit-over-salmonella-outbreak/
Read a copy of the 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Recall Class Action Lawsuit here.
Diamond Pet Foods Recall Settlement (2014): http://www.diamondpetfoodssettlement.com/
http://legalnewsline.com/stories/510517341-diamond-pet-foods-agrees-to-class-action-settlement
To find even more information about Diamond Pet Foods and their multiple recalls and lawsuits, conduct a simple Google search.
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Petition created on August 22, 2015