Sixty million containers of cat and dog food made by Menu Foods have been recalled after an unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure that was believed to be caused by the affected food. This has resulted in a number of deaths.

Menu Foods announced this precautionary recall in a press release on Friday, March 16. Menu Foods is a major manufacturer of pet foods sold under a number of different brands, including those made for Wal-Mart, PetsMart, Kroger and Safeway. Menu Foods is also a contract manufacturer for some of the top brand pet food companies like Procter & Gamble, Co.

The affected food is limited to the “cuts and gravy” varieties sold in both cans and pouches between December 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Dry food is not affected by this recall.

Recalled Cat Foods

The following is a list of the brands of cat foods affected in this recall:

To get more information on specific brands and products, please call 1-866-895-2708, or visit Menu Foods Recalled Cat Product Information.

Menu Foods reports that it received wheat gluten, suspected to be the contaminated ingredient, from a new supplier. Wheat gluten is a source of protein used to thicken gravy.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure
Symptoms of kidney failure can include loss of appetite, vomiting, licking lips excessively, lethargy, dehydration, increased thirst, excessive urination, weight loss, constipation, nausea, weakness and depression. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat or dog, please contact your veterinarian immediately.