What Is This Petfood Crisis? (Part 2)

Melamine, used to make plastics, is also a pesticide in Asia, which could explain how it got into the wheat gluten in the first place.

Currently the recall has affected almost 100 brands of so-called ‘wet’ dog or cat food, and one manufacturer, Menu Foods of Canada, has recalled approximately 50 million packages of food, totaling millions in losses.

Though the product recall has affected some dry cat and dog food, for the most part the recall has involved wet varieties of pet food.

So far, both dogs and cats are affected. However, more cats are having life-threatening health issues than dogs. Some theories for this include that cats require more protein than dogs in their diet (and so more gluten eaten), that cats tend to eat more for their size than dogs, and that cats may be more sensitive to the chemical causing the sickness.

If you suspect a problem with your pet, it is very important to seek immediate attention. The damage to the kidneys caused by the poison is irreversible, so immediate treatment is needed to stop further damage.

For their safety, remember to watch out for your dogs and cats. Pay attention to a change in attitude and energy, besides water consumption and eating. Symptoms such as listlessness, ignoring food, avoiding water, or drinking more water, or infrequent urination are items to look into right away.

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