FDA Cautions Against This Cat Food Over Salmonella Concerns; Kitten Illnesses Reported

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging pet owners to avoid feeding certain raw cat food products to their pets. Three kittens have fallen ill, with one testing positive for Salmonella.

The agency's alert covers two specific products of Darwin's Natural Pet Products raw cat food manufactured by Arrow Reliance, the FDA noted in the Aug. 5 advisory.

One is "Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain Free Chicken Recipe for Cats" with Lot 9116, which was manufactured on May 2, 2022. The other is "Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain Free Turkey Recipe for Cats" with Lot 9121, which was manufactured on May 4, 2022.

Three kittens that ate the food reportedly fell ill with diarrhea, according to the FDA. All of the kittens were from one household, while a fourth kitten that did not eat the food did not get sick. A stool sample from one of the kittens that fell ill tested positive for Salmonella.

While "most animals" don't usually get sick from Salmonella, those that end up getting sick from it may exhibit symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and being more tired than usual, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Just like the kittens, they may also develop diarrhea.

The FDA tested "unopened samples" from the two lots following reports of the illnesses. Testing revealed the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium in the turkey product and Salmonella Typhimurium and Kentucky in the chicken variant.

As such, the agency is urging pet owners to avoid feeding these two lots of products to their pets. Those who have them are advised to dispose of them in a way that other animals will not gain access to it, such as in a "secure container."

"Because these products are sold and stored frozen, the FDA is concerned that people may still have them in their possession and feed them to their pets.," noted the agency. "The FDA recommended that Arrow Reliance Inc. voluntarily recall these products and notify the public, but the company has not done so."

Those who find that they have had the product in their freezers or refrigerators are also advised to clean the place where the product was stored, as well as other surfaces and items that it may have come in contact with. They should also always wash their hands with soap and water after handling the product and cleaning the surfaces.

"Pet foods contaminated with Salmonella are of particular public health importance because they can affect both human and animal health," the FDA noted.