OC Raw Dog, a raw dog food manufacturer based in Santa Margarita, California, is recalling 640 pounds of their Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation. The recall is due to the potential of the product to be contaminated with salmonella. No other OC Raw Dog products were affected by the recall, and no illnesses have been reported yet.
This recall is the latest in a string of dog food and treat recalls that are pushing more pet owners to think twice before purchasing commercial dog food. According to research from Petco Animal Supplies Inc., a majority of pet owners are now customizing the food they provide for their pet by adding fresh protein, fruits and vegetables.
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There is also a growing trend among pet food manufacturers like The Honest Kitchen, Sojos, and Freshpet. These companies, and others, market freeze dried food that owners mix with water and fresh ingredients to create a nutritionally complete meal for their dog right in their own kitchen. And it’s no wonder these trends are catching on so quickly with the number of pet food and treat recalls growing every day.
This latest recall from OC Raw Pets is limited to the Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulations that were packaged into 6.5 pound Doggie Patties, 4 pound Doggie Sliders and 3 pound Meaty Rox with lot number 1819. The use-by date for the recalled products is 05/05/16. These numbers can both be found on the back of the package in the bottom left corner. Distribution of the recalled products was limited to Vermont, Colorado and Pennsylvania. They were only sold to consumers through independent pet specialty retail stores.
The potential for contamination was brought to attention after routine testing by the Colorado Department of Food and Agriculture. The sample was collected from a retailer and revealed the presence of salmonella in a 3 pound bag of Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulations Meaty Rox. Another sample from the same lot was tested previously by the California Department of Agriculture and had negative salmonella results.
The company is requesting that if you purchased the recalled products, you submit a picture of the package with the lot number to [email protected] for verification. Once that has been completed you can return the raw dog food product to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund. According to the company’s statement about the recall, if you have any questions or concerns you can call or email them and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever 12-72 hours after infection. Although most people will recover without needing treatment, salmonella can result in more serious issues including endocarditis, arthritis, arterial infections and urinary tract symptoms. If you or your pet are showing any symptoms after being exposed to the disease, it is best to contact your health care provider immediately.
Symptoms in canines include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, and an abnormally fast heart rate. Some dogs may have more mild symptoms including abdominal pain, decreased appetite and a fever. Pets can also be infected without showing any symptoms, but they are still carriers of the disease and can spread it to humans or other animals. If your pet consumed the recalled treats, regardless of whether he is showing symptoms or not, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
