Excessive Levels Of Zinc Still Being Found In Nutro

[Bonkers]

"March 22, 2010: Test results are back on samples believed to be "Nutro Natural Choice Chicken Meal and Rice" cat food, and "ProPlan Beef & Barley" and "Orscheln's Oatmeal for Seniors" dog foods.

It is the view of pfpsa.org that Nutro is the most dangerous and poorly formulated pet food on the market today. Zinc was detected at levels 9 times that recommended by the National Research Council. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus isn't even close. Calcium came in at 32,000 parts per million and phosphorus at 21,000 ppm. Various sources give slightly different figures for the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio, but they are all close to 8-9 parts phosphorus for every 10 parts calcium. In addition to calcium levels being 15 times higher than needed for good health, the ratio is 6.5 parts phosphorus to 10 parts calcium.

The cat affected is about one year old, was kept indoors only, and had been eating Nutro for about five days. Blood and urine tests indicated liver and possibly kidney problems, all of which have apparently cleared up since the pet owner stopped feeding the food. In addition to the mineral screen, we also tested for aflatoxin and vomitoxin, both of which came back non detected. We are currently considering running additional tests on the food and will provide additional information if it becomes available.

It has also come to our attention that the previously reported PetAg milk replacer problems are ongoing and that the milk formula is continuing to kill baby animals. With kitten season coming up, this is a product to avoid for anyone involved in rescue work."

http://www.pfpsa.org/news.html

[Perseus]

There are sooooo many complaints about Nutro all over, these test results just reaffirm what pet parents are experiencing, sick and dying pets.  I can't find another pet food company that even has 1/100th of the complaints that Nutro does.  What sickens me most is, they're not being stopped.

[nomoreNutro]

I was uninformed & had used Nutro for years.....

I wasn't aware of Mars buying Nutro & thought it was still a premium pet food- WRONG!  2 of my 3 cats got sick in February 2010- I notified Nutro immediately.  Since the bag said "Improved taste". I was concerned what they had changed.  I was assured they only added additional chicken meal, but I probably had a bag that went rancid during delivery & I should get another bag with a different "best by" date.  I had to drive to a nearby town since my local Petco only had the same "best by" date.  2nd bag, different "best by" date & my 3 STILL didn't want to go near it!  I called Nutro again- same story about only extra chicken meal.  I told rep there WAS a problem & she needed to escalate it- she said she would.  During my 3rd call to Nutro on 2/22, Diana changed her story- now she said they had not changed the Nutro Max formula recently at all!  They ran out of the correct bags & used old bags, so they wouldn't hold up sales!  Making money seems to be what the company is focused on.

I switched my pets to Innova, but I was told to mix with Nutro for a few days to avoid digestive trouble.  So my pets were "tricked" into eating the Nutro Max Dry Adult Roasted Chicken....

My female became VERY ill (loss of appetite, lethargic, throwing up) & had to be hospitalized on an IV for 2 days & force-fed.  She was suddenly showing signs of possible liver trouble, even though she had been perfectly fine before ingesting that Nutro!  1 of my boys got ill & I realized via the Internet all about Mars buying Nutro & the recent Toxic level of Zinc fiasco!  I was horrified- my food was outside that date range Nutro admitted for the recall, but the symptoms matched.  How could a HUGE company, like Mars International, be so IRRESPONSIBLE & UNCARING!  I almost lost my female & resulting bills for my 2 sick babies totalled well over $2000!  Nutro was not willing to test the food, they didn't document my calls, they didn't ask for my lot numbers or the "best by" dates- Why?  This way they can keep LYING & saying they haven't received any customer complaints!

I arranged to have a sealed bag with the same "best by" date tested by a lab.  It was negative for salmonella/E coli, but they are now testing for Toxic Zinc.  Heaven help Mars if we find the Toxic levels continued after the date range they gave & they kept selling their poisonous food!  Many people have lost their beloved pets.

I will NEVER use a Mars owned pet food or treat brand again!  They have destroyed their reputation, as far as I'm concerned.

Nutro
Royal Canin
Whiskas
Temptations Treats (Whiskas)
Cesar
Pedigree
The Goodlife Recipe
Greenies (S&M NuTec is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated)

[Bonkers]

nomoreNutro

Welcome to the Pet Food List Forum!

I am so very sorry to hear about what you and your cats have been through. It sickens me that after all this time these problems with Nutro are still causing health problems in numerous pets. It also sickens me that many of the Big Box stores continually promote this crappy food as a premium product.


There are now 152  pages of complaints filed at Consumer Affairs regarding Nutro. 

 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/nutro.html


I hope you will keep us updated as to how your kitties are doing and let us know the results once your new test results come back. You also might want to consider contacting the FDA regarding this.

[nomoreNutro]

Thank you so much, Bonkers!  We've been very lucky so far & I think my sickest girl is doing well.  The hospital was afraid she was developing fatty liver disease, but she's doing great.  Follow up tests have shown all levels are back to normal & I'm now much more aware of pet food quality or lack thereof.

I've been very vocal on consumeraffairs.com & I'm doing everything I can to make others aware.

I agree that it's sickening to see Mars/Nutro allowed to continue selling low quality products causing illness.  Sales by them should be halted until they can prove their safety via independent lab testing.  FDA oversight is severely lacking, but I will file a complaint with them.  And update here when I learn about the Zinc results.