What’s All The Fuss About Pet Jerky?

What’s all the fuss in the news about pet jerky?

In the last 24 hours there have been several news reports about Pet Jerky.  These reports are saying there are recalls, FDA announcements, pets ill and also pet deaths.  So what is all the fuss about?  What is going on?  What should you as a pet owner do about these news reports?

The news reports are basically reporting old information.  The FDA has been researching possible toxins in jerky pet treats since 2007.  The jerky  is being manufactured in China.  More specifically in the past year there has been a handful of recalls on various pet jerky.  The FDA has not been able to identify the toxin that has been hurting the pets.  This is what is new, the FDA is asking veterinarians and pet owners to contact them if a pet has become ill after eating jerky pet treats.

What should pet owners do with this information?

What should a pet owner be concerned about?  This is what the FDA says to watch out for, “within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination.”  As a pet owner if your pet shows any of these signs after eating jerky pets treats contact your veterinarian.  Keep the remainder of the treats but do not feed them to your pet.  Also keep the packaging from the treats.

To find out more information I contacted the Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital.  Chrissy, one of the wonderful Vet Techs, after speaking with Dr. McCroy, advised that the best thing to do is to stop feeding your pet any of the jerky treats.  It does not matter if it says Made in the USA. The jerky pet treats may have been made  in China and packaged in the US or some of the ingredients may have come from China.  Your best bet as a pet owner is to stop  feeding  your pet any type of the jerky pet treats.

More information for you

If you would like more detailed information here are  links:

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm371413.htm-Why Are jerky Treats Making Pets Sick

http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/productsafetyinformation/ucm295445.htm

http://karensk9s.com/poisoned-treats-from-china-update/