petMD.com Provides Recommendations for Pet Owners Affected by the Recent Pet Food Recall

MIAMI, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As of May 8, 14 brands of pet food were recalled due to a Salmonella bacteria contamination. Although there have been no reports of animals acquiring the illness, the Center for Disease Control has reported that 14 individuals have become sick due to contact with pet food made at the plant. The recent pet food recall has left many pet owners scrambling to replace their recalled pet food brands, yet few are aware of the proper protocol for disposing of contaminated food and rapidly changing their pets' diets. To assist pet owners, petMD.com has pulled together a list of recommendations for what to do if your pet's food has been recalled.

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"There's no doubt about it, pet food recalls like this are scary," states Dr. Jennifer Coates, a practicing veterinarian and petMD.com Spokesperson. "Invariably, owners are halfway through feeding a bag of potentially contaminated food when they hear of the recall, which means they have to go on high alert for a week or two. In the case of Salmonella, we have to watch both pets and people in the household for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and fever."

What to do if your pet's food has been recalled:

1.       Remove the Recalled Food: If you check the labels of your pet food bag and find that it has been recalled, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in a secure garbage can. This helps ensure that neither your pet nor an outdoor animal will eat the contaminated food and risk becoming ill. 

2.       Clean: Thoroughly wash all containers, utensils, bowls, your hands, and any other items that have come into contact with the recalled food. If surfaces are not sanitized, bacteria can attach itself to various objects and people and live for several hours or even days.

3.       Change Food: Switch out your pet's food for a non-recalled brand. Talk with your veterinarian or pet food supplier to get more information on the status of the recall and to identify which brands are considered safe.

How to quickly and safely change your pet's diet:

1.       Find a Similar Pet Food Formula: Pick a new pet food that closely matches the "old" variety. For example, if your pet was eating a lamb and rice product that was recalled, purchase another company's lamb and rice formulation. Read the ingredient list. If you can match up the first few ingredients, the foods will be fairly similar. Also, review the guaranteed analysis on both labels. Avoid big changes in the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber whenever possible.

2.       Offer Small Meals Gradually: Once you get the new food home, start by offering your pet a small meal. If he or she eats it and doesn't develop any tummy troubles as a result, offer another small meal a few hours later. Gradually increase the size and decrease the frequency of your offerings until you are back to your normal schedule in a day or two. If your pet doesn't take to the new food, pick it up and don't offer anything (including treats) for eight hours or so. It is okay to let your pet get a little hungry, so long as you continue to offer the new food every 6-8 hours and then pick it up if it is not eaten. Continue this pattern for 24 hours (cats) to 48 hours (dogs). If you cannot get your pet to eat the new food within these timeframes, consult your veterinarian and try another formulation — but avoid frequent changes in flavor as this can promote finicky eating habits.

3.       Go Easily Digestible: If your dog or cat has an especially sensitive stomach and you are forced to making a rapid diet change, consider switching to an easily digestible formula at the offset and then gradually mix in small amounts of the new, long-term diet a few days later. Probiotics for dogs and cats can also reduce the chance that a pet will develop diarrhea when its diet suddenly changes.

4.       Consult Your Veterinarian: If you can't find a new food your pet likes or if despite all precautions the change in diet results in vomiting, diarrhea or other signs of gastrointestinal distress, talk to your veterinarian. He or she may be able to suggest other pet food brands that are less likely to cause your pet a diet-related illness.

About petMD.com

petMD is the leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. petMD is a subsidiary of the Pet360 family of brands, which also includes www.Pet360.com – a highly personalized & engaged community dedicated to simplifying and enhancing pet parenting, www.PetFoodDirect.com – the most complete pet food and supply retailer online, and www.NationalPetPharmacy.com – a fully certified, full-service pet pharmacy delivering pet meds, vitamins and comprehensive pet health and wellness products. For more information, visit www.petMD.com.

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SOURCE petMD.com