Things like Sriracha hot sauce and baby formula have been hard to find on grocery store shelves recently—a situation pet owners know all too well. Dog food and cat food have been facing shortages since early Spring this year after an increase in demand started in 2020 when lockdowns found many people adopting a furry family member. In the last few months, its been hard to find certain pet foods, though, with one major grocery chain even discontinuing several options after supply shortages.
Unfortunately, pet food sold at Walmart, Target, and other stores is facing another hit, as one brand is recalling one of its types of dog food because it could be contaminated with Salmonella. If a 4.5-pound bag of Freshpet Select Fresh From The Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe dog food is in your kitchen. Read on for all the details about how it could be a danger to you and your pet.
Freshpet Inc. says the bags were sold in over 100 Walmart stores in Alabama and Georgia, as well as some Target stores and other retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Bags feature a picture of chicken on a wooden cutting board surrounded by vegetables with a black and white dog looking on. They contain a “Sell by Date” of 10/29/22 and a UPC code of 627975011673 on the bottom of the bag.
“Our Freshpet Team had designated this single lot for destruction, but a small portion of the lot was inadvertently shipped to retailers in limited geographic markets in the last two weeks,” the company says in a recall announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “If pet parents have products matching the following description and sell by date in their possession, they should stop feeding it to their dogs and dispose of it immediately.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Animals can be infected with the bacteria if they eat the contaminated product, but there is also a risk of humans contracting an illness, too, if they handle it and do not wash their hands after. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection in dogs include exhaustion, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and even a decreased appetite and stomach pain.
In people, symptoms range from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and a fever. Children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to Salmonella infections, which can lead to more serious illnesses like arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. if you or your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, call a veterinarian or physician.
With the removal of this dog food from shelves, pet owners have an even slimmer selection to choose from. Just recently Trader Joes stopped selling certain types of dog and cat food. The six types include the Ocean Fish, Salmon & Rice Dinner Premium Cat Food, Turkey & Giblets Dinner Premium Cat Food, Grain Free Salmon Recipe Cat Food, Grain Free Turkey Recipe Cat Food, Grain Free Beef Recipe Dog Food, and the Grain Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food. Two other dog food varieties are still available, however.
Meat, wheat, and aluminum—all of which are essential ingredients and packaging for pet food—are facing low supplies and high prices right now thanks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, droughts, and other supply chain problems, so the problem may not have a solution for a while.
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What Brand Of Dog Treats Are Killing Dogs?
Recent reports suggest that certain brands of sweet potato and yam pet treats are causing new cases of unexplained acute kidney failure. The brands in question are Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats by Nestle-Purina, and Beefeaters Sweet Potato Treats. If you have any of these treats in your home, it is recommended that you discontinue use immediately and consult your veterinarian.
Why Are So Many Dog Foods Out Of Stock?
There are several reasons why dog foods are out of stock. The pandemic has led to more people adopting pets, which has resulted in an increased demand for pet food. In addition, the pandemic has also caused bottlenecks at trading ports, which has made it difficult for pet food manufacturers to get the ingredients they need to make their products.
Why Is There A Shortage Of Freshpet Dog Food?
The current shortage of Freshpet dog food is due to a combination of factors, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, droughts, and other supply chain problems. All of these factors have led to a decrease in the availability of meat, wheat, and aluminum—all of which are essential ingredients and packaging for pet food. As a result, prices for these commodities have risen sharply, making it difficult for Freshpet to keep its products affordable for consumers. The company is currently working on a solution to the problem, but it may take some time to resolve the issue completely.
FAQ
Why is there a shortage of Freshpet dog food?
Why is Freshpet sold out everywhere?
Is Freshpet dog food going out of business?