What foods on the market are dangerous to dogs and cats?

Our question this week was:

My 15-year-old cat died early this morning. She had been in the vet hospital for almost a week. I took her to the vet late one night because she got weak all of the sudden. She could not even hold her head up. The vet said she was very dehydrated, anemic, and had lost her appetite. He gave her an IV and did what he could. My son told me that he had heard on the news that certain cat foods on the market could cause death in animals with these symptoms. Do you know what foods are dangerous for animals? I have one more cat and 3 dogs, and I want to protect them from the same thing happening to them.

Kathleen Harris

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I’m sorry to hear about your cat. Did she have kidney failure?

Keep your food containers and check to see if the food was on the recalled list – call 1-866-895-2708, or go to: http://www.menufoods.com/recall.

If you suspect your pet has been affected by the food – please read these steps to help your veterinarian with your pet’s diagnosis Advice to Pet Food Owner After National Recall.

Here is also an update for veterinarians (go to Pet Food Recall Updated Information for Veterinarians that indicates recommendations and resources. If your pet has been affected, please print both articles and take them with you when you see your vet.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra