Our cats have been on Friskies (and dry food) for some time. We just had to put down 1 cat for kidney failure.

Question

Purina is saying that they have nothing to do with the recall, but I don't think it is just a coincidence that right before the recall we have a cat that had kidney failure. Just before his diagnosis, three of our cats (including him, but the 4th was not on wet food at all) started to turn away from their food. Nothing had been changed except for the Friskies making easy open cans and "improved flavour". We switched to the chicken chunks and gravy and they wouldn't touch that either. As soon as I switched to a different brand, they started eating again, except our poor guy that we had to put down. We didn't have the others tested ($$$), but it seems a bit of a coincidence that all our cats on wet food went off their food. The one we put down was our oldest and had never had any health issues in his life. All of our cats remain in the house and our dog stays outside, so there isn't any transferrance. Should I contact Purina and question them about it???

We had our cat cremated, so we aren't able to get any more blood from him. He was about 9 years old, but he was born on a farm, so could have had genetic issues that we did not know about.

Answer 1

You could contact them but I have not heard anything about them recalling any food. the other thing you need to look at is how old was the cat. I know this is all very hard right now but ask your vet what they think. I would also put your cats on a way better food then Friskies. It really is not a good food at all and have alot of by products and junk in it. Sorry for your loss. Good luck

Answer 2

I certainly would contact Purina. Unfortunately, kidney disease is a top problem for cats. The kidneys are usually the first organs to wear out in the feline. Cats are quite remarkable at hiding the disorder. Usually renal failure is far a long before the cat appears to be ill. In nature, a weak, sick cat becomes vulnerable to other predators....so the need for cats to appear in full health is instinctive. I do not think it is a coincidence that you have lost pets close to the time of food recall. The toxin named in the pet food recall could shut the kidneys down very rapidly in a cat...much like antifreeze. Talk with your vet and try to document all you can remember about the decline of your animals. I understand your loss.

Answer 3

Yes, you should ask whether these foods are on the ban list, or even to check those foods even if they are not recalled yet. If your cat was old, it is possible that he had a sudden renal failure and died because of age, it happens quite suddenly sometimes. And the other cats may have not liked the "new flavour". So I suppose it could be a coincidence, but there are many chances that you are right.
Sorry about your cat. If you have any of the packages of the wet food you suspect, keep them to check any code numbers they may have or check the food itself.

Answer 4

First of all, I am very sorry to hear this, there has been alot of recalls on certain pet foods for this exact reason.
Yes definatly phone and question them, and if you know anyone else that has had problems, get them involved as well.
Check out this website for a complete list of the re-called foods. menufoods.com .
There is a big list of dog foods as well, just incase you have dogs.
Again, Do Not be afraid to contact them and get answers, the more people that do, the better. What goes into our pet food needs to be regulated better, so we don't lose any more
of our loved ones.
My thoughts are with you.

Answer 5

Your cat most likely did not have renal failure due to pet food. Cats, especially elderly ones, are prone to developing renal failure, so this may seem like a coincidence, but it probably is not. Furthermore, the lack of appatite is the first sign of renal failure (the food that caused the poisonings did not have off flavor), and your cat probably was sick for a long time before you noticed it (cats are very good at hiding illness), meaning his renal failure was most likely chronic, not acute. Talk to your veterinarian about it, he should be your source, and someone you trust on this not some random person(me) on the internet .

Answer 6

It can easily be coincidence- kidney failure, esp in older cats is quite common. When I worked in the vet, there was usually about 3-4 a week (busy emergency hospital) with kidney problems)

Plus the rat poisioning is a type where they could not smell or taste it- wouldn't know to turn away from it- it is probably their preference of the day.

You could always get blood work done on your cat that died- if the rat poison chemical shows up, you have a case. If not, tehre there is no way to prove.

Answer 7

Its highly unlikely there is any connection. For one, it has already been shown that Friskies does not use the same supplier of the contaminated wheat gluten as Menu foods did. Second, kidney failure is one of the most common causes of death in elderly cats, it would be very hard to prove it wasnt from natural old age.

Answer 8

Purina has recalled some of their dog food, as for cat food I didn't see any information on it, I would contact Purina, and ask them. I'm very sorry to hear about your cat.

Answer 9

first, sorry for the loss. regarding your question, the food in question is made by menu under contract for all the brands involved. They don't make kibble (dry) foods there...only cans. I would say that it's just a coincidence.

Answer 10

contact them, but i'm pretty sure purina wasn't on the list. if you find out they are you may get lucky.

btw, why is your dog always outside?? the poor guy/girl