Pet food recall has little impact here

Menu Foods Income Fund, a Canadian-based pet food packaging company, announced a precautionary recall of about 50 pet food brands March 16, but the recall hasn't had much impact locally.Maura Davies, director of communications for the SPCA of Texas, said the company has recalled a portion of dog and cat food that was manufactured between Dec. 3, 2006, through March 6, 2007."Mainly, it's the wet variety or stuff that's put in the small foil packages," Davies said.The questionable lots, Davies said, were produced at facilities in the United States.So far, Davies said there has not been a large number of food shortages and only a small percentage of pets have been affected."What they found is a small number of animals that ate the food went into kidney failure," Davies said. Jay Schoenfield, store manager at an area PetSmart, said his store hasn't really been affected by the pet food recall."Some of our shelves are empty due to the recall, but we're offering alternatives," Schoenfield said. "PetSmart has a lot more food than a grocery store, so it hasn't affected us as much."Schoenfield said he has had several inquiries from customers concerned about a pet food shortage."A lot of people just have been given misinformation," Schoenfield said. "We've taken a lot of phone calls and walk-ins."PetSmart, Schoenfield said, is offering comparable products for the recalled food. Schoenfield said pet owners should know that not all pet food is recalled."There are plenty of alternatives," Schoenfield said. "There's plenty of dry dog and cat food around."Davies said she doesn't anticipate seeing a pet food shortage but said all pet owners should take precautions."If they see any questionable symptoms in their pet at all, they should bring it to their veterinarian," Davies said.Some of the questionable symptoms or behaviors Davies said pet owners should look out for are loose stool, vomiting, seizures and noted lethargy.Davies said she also recommends pet owners visit the Web site www.menufoods.com/recall or see which pet food brands have been recalled."They can choose any food that falls out of this date range," Davies said.One thing pet owners should not do, Davies said, is switch pets from a soft food to hard food."That's going to be tougher on their pets," Davies said. "It is in the pet's best interest to keep serving them the same type of food."Pet owners who are looking for other food options should seek the advice of a veterinarian, Davies said."Short range, people can work with their veterinarian to see what people food would be good short term," Davies said. "The best thing nutritionally for pets is pet food."Davies said the best measure pet owners can take to keep their pets safe is to be alert and stay informed."As long as people are tending to their pets well-being and working with their vets, that's the best thing you can do," she said. "It's important to keep a sharp eye out for anything out of the ordinary."For more information on which pet food brands have been recalled, go to Menu Food Income Fund Web site at www.menufoods.com/recall or call 1-866-895-2708.