Bad Food (Maybe?)

[michalann65]

I feed my multi cat family Simply Nourish, which is Petsmart's brand of cat food...dry.  Supposed to be equivalent or very similar to Blue Buffalo.  I just went thru FHL with my big boy Chaddy, but in the ensuing weeks I have several cats vomiting.  Now I know that in a multi cat environment there is generally kitty vomit somewhere at periodici intervals but I have several who appear to be vomiting and appear lethargic and just not up to par.  Because food is the common denominator I thought I would see if anyone else is feeding their kitties this food and if so have you noticed any problems.  They love it and have thrived on it but something keeps nagging at me that it might be the food and I know there always has to be a first batch of kitties alert others to the possibility. I began thinking about it when I saw the article on Beneful dog food.  Thanks to anyone who might have some thoughts or takes the time to answer.

 

[smitten4kittens]

I don't know anything about this food, but go with your instincts if you feel this was not a good batch. I would check with the vet if they are vomiting and lethargic. I hope they're all feeling better soon,

 

[ritz]

Sorry you're still having problems.  I have heard that Simply Nourish is a decent food for the price, but have no direct knowledge (I fed raw).

Maybe the ingredients in the food have changed.  Manufacturers can change ingredients without having to first change the ingredient/nutritional labeling on the cans until they run out of the cans. 
I'd call PetSmart, ask to speak with the manager, and simply ask him/her if he is aware of any changes to the ingredients in Simply Nourish. 

You could mention to the manager about your pet's health, but be prepared/expect denials of any causation.

Also, has anything else in the household change--different cleaners, air fresheners?

Finally, if your cats continue to be not themselves, a call or trip to the vet is in order--and tell him why.  HE might be seeing other patients with the same complaints.

Out of curiosity, why did Chaddy get FHL?

Keep us posted.

 

[michalann65]

We are not sure why he got sick.  I was in the process of having major back surgeries, 2 in 6 weeks time, so to be very honest I was not able to give my kitties the amount of attention and observation I usually do.  I was in the hospital for quite a bit of the time and then pretty sick at home.  I will forever feel guilty about him getting so sick before I knew it.  He spent over a week in the vets and then had a feeding tube for several weeks, we fed him Hills AD/....2 injections a day for nasuea, cyproheptadine for appetite and  Denmarin.  He recovered,started eating, started gaining his weight back and his tests have been good.  Quite frankly though I don't think he has been himself since.....he just doesn't act as perky.  This vomiting with the others has just started however.....but in spite of that they are still eating and active and aside from one of them being maybe a little lethargie they appear fine.  I even thought about it being their treats.  I have Special Needs kitties anyway.....kidney disease, seizure disorder, enlarged heart (Chaddy) and an amputee.  So I spend a lot of time with our vet.  I did call her and she said I could go ahead and give them (the vomiting ones) some Metoclop ramide for the nasuea and vomiting.  Having just spent a little under $1000 on Chaddy and because I am on Social Security money gets a little tight.  I do work very hard though at taking care of them so I get really worried when they get sick. 

Chaddy is very very bonded to me. headbutting me to the point where he almost knocks me off my feet doing it.  I read where stress can cause FHL so I wondered if when I became ill and had to be hospitalized and was gone from him and even when I was home, could not hold him or let him lay on me if this might have caused stress to him. 

What types of things other than food might cause several to become sick at the same time.  Our vet mentioned a gastroenteritis somewhat similar to what humans get.

I appreciate any thoughts or ideas. 

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I cannot find that Simply Nourish is on the recall list or anything.  Have you recently opened a new bag?  If not, is this bag perhaps expired?  Could it have gotten comtaminated with something...perhaps with pesticides (just guessing here...we have pest control come in every other month, maybe others do to and maybe you store the bag in the garage, etc.

) 

Maybe they are just picking up on your stress with Chaddy and all?  Just  this morning my Darko vomited, soon after he had a cling-on, and I think he did it because he was so scared of the cling-on that it made him sick.  It's amazing what stress can do

for all your gang.

 

[michalann65]

Thank you for all your responses.  I did plug in an air freshener to the bedroom because when Chad was sick I kept him in the bedroom and put a litterbox in it.  Even tho I cleaned it many many times a day I felt like I still had some residual odor so put in an air freshener.  I usually am very aware of these things and do not use air fresheners anywhere around the cats.  I have already taken it out just in case.  I had checked the fda animal website for food recalls and nothing there but I know it takes time sometimes for it to hit.  If the anti nausea medication has not helped by tomorrow I will take them in, but was hoping it would go away.  Don't we always wish for that.  ;It is currently a small amount of vomit, their intake is exceeding their output....and they are drinking water well and urinating so all systems appear to be working ok......

I will give you all an update tomorrow but if anyone has any other thoughts please do not hesitate to suggest them to me.  I really appreciate this.

 

[just mike]

Thank you for all your responses.  I did plug in an air freshener to the bedroom because when Chad was sick I kept him in the bedroom and put a litterbox in it.  Even tho I cleaned it many many times a day I felt like I still had some residual odor so put in an air freshener.  I usually am very aware of these things and do not use air fresheners anywhere around the cats.  I have already taken it out just in case.  I had checked the fda animal website for food recalls and nothing there but I know it takes time sometimes for it to hit.  If the anti nausea medication has not helped by tomorrow I will take them in, but was hoping it would go away.  Don't we always wish for that.  ;It is currently a small amount of vomit, their intake is exceeding their output....and they are drinking water well and urinating so all systems appear to be working ok......

I will give you all an update tomorrow but if anyone has any other thoughts please do not hesitate to suggest them to me.  I really appreciate this.

There is no recall or any negative information in any of the pet food industry or FDA online publications as of this morning, and I've heard nothing. Doesn't mean your cats are not reacting to the food, just means there is nothing out there. Nor have I gotten any Tweets or emails.

I'm thinking at least a call to the vet might be in order if not an office visit. There seems to be a common denominator with all of them getting sick at the same time.

Please DO keep us posted on this! So sorry you're having to deal with this!