Multiple Dog and Cat Treats Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Foodynamics, a freeze-dried pet food company, has issued a voluntary recall for five different dog and cat treats. Sampling by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the presence of Salmonella — a bacteria that can cause illness in animals and humans — in the products.

The contaminated treats

Three different pet food brands owned by Foodynamics are affected by the recall: Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, and Kanu Pets. The recalled treats were shipped from Wisconsin to New York and Florida.

The contaminated Raw Dog Barkery products are Whole Chicken Hearts with the lot numbers 030527 and 040217, as well as Sliced Chicken Hearts with the lot number 031627.

The contaminated BellePepper Cats products are Freeze Dried Chicken Heart Slices with a lot number of 031627 and Freeze Dried Sample Treats with the lot numbers 121426 and 011526.

Lastly, the contaminated Kanu Pets product is Freeze Dried Chicken Heart Raw Treats with the lot number 031627.

How to protect your pet and yourself

If you have purchased any of the products above, the FDA recommends returning the product to the place of purchase; customers are eligible for a full refund. You can also dispose of the product in a way that is not accessible by children, wildlife, or pets.

Any surface touched by the product — including bowls, cups, containers, utensils, and your own hands — should be thoroughly sanitized. “Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contacting the products or any surfaces exposed to the products,” the FDA explains. If your dog is infected, salmonella can also be spread through their saliva or waste, even if they are asymptomatic.

Symptoms of salmonella

All direct customers have been contacted by Foodynamics, and there are no cases of illness yet. If your pet has come in contact with the recalled treats, keep an eye out for symptoms of salmonella infection in both yourself and your pet.

Symptoms are similar in both pets and humans. The most common signs of salmonella are fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain. According to veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox, certain symptoms — including blood in diarrhea, extreme lethargy, vomiting, and difficulty breathing — require immediate medical intervention.

Pets who show the above symptoms should see a veterinarian as soon as possible, and humans with signs of salmonella should visit their healthcare provider. Treatment may include rest, a bland diet, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medication, probiotics, and IV fluids.