Iams ProActive Health Canned Cat and Kitten Food Recalled

Traveling to Anaheim for a veterinary conference, I couldn’t get to a computer on time to post when the Iams ProActive Health Canned Cat and Kitten Food recall announcement was released as news on June 9. Since, it made the news – at first, I didn’t think I needed to post.

I decided to post because some people just haven’t heard; some readers asked me to post; and (as usual) lots of confusion on the Internet, and accusations (pretty bizarre ones). So, what I post here are simply facts from the FDA.

Read what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has posted on the Iams recall – rather other not so trusted sources.

“The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily
recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as
a precautionary measure. Diagnostic testing indicated that the product
may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is
essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their
only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine
deficiency.”

While this recall is unfortunate, I am glad Iams decided to take it upon themselves to suck it up and do the responsibly right thing by offering full disclosure, and being transparent.

This is unlikely to occur, but it’s interesting to read: “Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite,
salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may
include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait,
falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately
if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly,
thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.”

The recall is for all varieties of this food, dated 09/2011 to 06/2012, 3 oz to 5.5 oz.