Diamond Pet Foods issues cat food recall - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

A cat food recall was issued for several Diamond Pet Foods products in 25 states. The products in question were recalled over a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

The vitamin is essential to cats for maintaining a normal nervous system. Thiamine deficiency can include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. If the deficiency continues, it can lead to the feline's death.

Advanced cases of thiamine deficiency can include neurological signs like bending toward the floor (ventroflexion), walking wobbly (ataxia), falling, walking in circles, and seizures.

Diamond Pet Foods issued a press release for the cat food recall, saying that it was voluntary and not required. The recall includes some bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula, Premium Edge Kitten Formula, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula, and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula. All of the products are dry cat food.

Cat owners who use the products are urged to discontinue their use and either discard the bags or ask for a refund. The products were distributed in 25 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Michele Evans, Ph.D., Diamond Pet Foods Executive Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance stated in the press release:

"At Diamond Pet Foods, we have a process where we continuously test our products, and this process allowed us to find the undesired levels of thiamine in some of our cat formulas. Our food safety protocols are designed to provide safe food on a daily basis."

Because of the recall, the company tested all other Diamond brands to a thiamine deficiency. They found none, aside from the six included in the current recall.

Cat owners with questions about the cat food recall, or who would like to receive a replacement product or refund, are being asked to call the Pet Food Information Center at 1-888-965-6131.