Did you buy some pet food recently?
Better check if your purchase is one of the products recently recalled by pet food companies Natural Life Pet Products and Nutrisca Dog Food.
After three complaints from consumers about their products causing vitamin D toxicity after their pets ate it, the companies voluntarily issued a recall of some of their dry pet foods from stores nationwide.
According to the recall notices released by the companies to the Food And Drug Administration (FDA), the toxicity was due to an error in the formulation of their pet foods during the manufacturing stage.
What is Vitamin D toxicity?
Vitamin D toxicity or poisoning is caused by a large intake of the vitamin that is way beyond the recommended daily intake amount.
In dogs and cats, ingesting too much vitamin D is poisonous and poses a serious threat to their health. And in worst case scenarios, vitamin D toxicity can lead to renal dysfunction.
Poisoning manifests in the form of vomiting, sudden weight loss, increased drooling, incredible thirst, loss of appetite, and constant urination.
Symptoms usually manifest within 12 to 36 hours after ingestion. It is also important to note that puppies and younger dogs have a greater risk of suffering from vitamin D toxicity.
If your pet is showing multiple symptoms, immediately stop feeding them with the dry pet food and take them to the vet for treatment.
Recalled products
The types of dog food recalled were distributed nationwide in states including South Carolina, California, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida.
Here is a list of the recalled pet foods including their manufacturing details and expiration dates:
- Natural Life Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food, 17.5 lbs.
Manufacturing details: UPC 0-12344-08175-1;
Best by May 29, 2020 through August 10, 2020
- Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food, 4 lbs.
Manufacturing details: UPC 8-84244-12495-7;
Best by February 25, 2020 through September 13, 2020
- Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food, 15 lbs.
Manufacturing details: UPC 8-84244-12795-8;
Best by February 25, 2020 through September 13, 2020
- Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food, 28 lbs.
Manufacturing details: UPC 8-84244-12895-5;
Best by February 25, 2020 through September 13, 2020
If you bought Natural Life or Nutrisca dry pet food recently, check the package’s label to make sure that they aren’t part of the contaminated batch of pet foods with high levels of vitamin D.
People who bought the products are also advised by the FDA to throw the food out or return it to the place of purchase to get a full refund.
Recommended intake
At healthy levels, vitamin D is a vital nutrient in a dog’s diet. It is responsible for the absorption of other nutrients like phosphorus and calcium which, in turn, are also important in aiding a wide range of bodily functions.
Thus, too much or too little of the vitamin can lead to health risks in pets. Going over the recommended intake leads to vitamin D toxicity while a deficiency in it can cause rickets and even immune system deficiency.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a 33-pound dog fed a whole food diet should be getting around 125 and 750 IU of vitamin D per 1,000 calories daily. The figures can be adjusted accordingly depending on the weight of the dog.
If you’re worried about how much Vitamin D your dog is getting, you can use this as a guide when choosing which pet food to get your pet to avoid the risks of vitamin D toxicity and deficiency.
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