Recalled cat food sickens 21 cats, distributed in South and along East Coast

Recalled cat food sickens 21 cats

WASHINGTON — A Missouri company said Tuesday its recalled dried cat food has sickened 21 cats and the pet food was distributed in multiple states in the South and along the East Coast.

Diamond Pet Foods recalled certain bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat food in September because they could lead to gastrointestinal or neurological problems for cats. They do not contain enough thiamine, an essential nutrient for cats.

If cats fed these foods have no other source of nutrition, they could develop thiamine deficiency. If untreated, this disorder could result in death, said the Meta, Mo., manufacturer.

The company updated information on the recall on Tuesday, saying it has confirmed 21 reports of thiamine deficiency in New York and Pennsylvania and the pet food was distributed in 18 states altogether. These states include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Initial symptoms of thiamine deficiency include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Later, neurological problems that could develop include bending the neck toward the floor, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures.

The affected cat food was pulled from store shelves on Sept. 23, according to the company. No incidents have been reported since Oct. 19.

For a full refund, consumers can return the recalled cat food to the place it was purchased. For more information, consumers can call 800-977-8797.

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On the Net:

Premium Edge pet food: www.premiumedgepetfood.com/

(This version CORRECTS that recall was in September, not Tuesday.)