Q. The Code on My Dog Food Bag is Faded. How Can I Tell if it's Been Recalled?

Posted by Mia Carter Oct 9, 2008

On October 7, 2008, a reader of Pet Food Recall Issued by Pedigree, asked this question: "I purchased by Pedigree Puppy food in GA and the data below 'best before' is not readable. I can read the date, but not the numbers on the second line. My puppy is experiencing some looser, more liquid stools, but no other symptoms. Is this food the culprit? Best advice?"

This is a great question that I'm sure many other pet owners have encountered, since packaging tends to undergo all sorts of wear and tear while in transit, making print faded or illegible in some cases.

Fortunately, Mars Petcare has issued a complete list of the UPC code numbers for all of the recalled pet foods, so pet owners can check their pet's food against this list to determine if their pet's food may be involved in the recall. The list of recalled pet food UPC code numbers can be found on the Mars Petcare website.

Diarrhea - defined as looser-than-normal stools of varying degrees - is a key sign of salmonella, but it can also be attributed to many other fairly benign causes, such as nerves, eating "people food," or eating any other sort of unfamiliar food item, including a different than usual pet food.

This is a case where I would recommend taking the conservative route: I'd stop feeding the Pedigree and I'd switch to a bland diet of plain white rice and boiled hamburger meat (with the fat strained away) and I'd serve this for several days to allow the digestive system to settle. If the symptoms do not improve within 12-18 hours of stopping the kibble, or if the symptoms are getting worse, I'd seek immediately veterinary attention. Sometimes, a few days of a homemade bland diet is all that's needed to get a pet back on track.

For more information, visit the Pet Food Recall Page to learn more about the salmonella-related pet food recalls, how to handle possibly-tainted food, salmonella and the upcoming melamine testing that will soon get underway on pet food in Asia.

Have a pet question? Or a suggestion for a pet care article? Send your questions and suggestions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.