A NEW FDA report claims that 360 dogs and one cat have died in the last 18 months, after eating chicken jerky treats made in China.

Currently there are 2,200 reports of illnesses linked to the treats – the deaths are included in that number. There is no geographic pattern to the illnesses and deaths – cases have been reported from all 50 states and 6 Canadian provinces.

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Treats Involved
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Chicken jerky (treats, tenders, and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato, and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams.

In the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic increase in importation of pet food from China. It is estimated that nearly 86 million pounds of pet food came from China in 2011. Pet treats, including jerky pet treats, are currently considered the fastest growing segment in the pet food market.

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No Known Cause
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“The ongoing global investigation is complex, multifaceted and includes a wide variety of experts at the FDA including toxicologists, epidemiologists, veterinary researchers, forensic chemists, microbiologists, field investigators and senior agency officials,” the report says.

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Signs of Illness
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FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products:

decreased appetite;
decreased activity;
vomiting;
diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
increased water consumption; and/or
increased urination.

If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi-like syndrome (increased glucose).

P.S. The largest growing segment of the pet food industry is pet treats, and China is an inexpensive way to source, and manufactur inexpensive treats.

With poor quality control.

And clearly MORE emphasis on profit than the health of our dogs or cats

My suggestions

1. Avoid ALL jerky/false meat treats, especially those from China

2. Avoid MOST commercial treats- they in general are of questionable nutritional value. Think of them like chocolate bars..if they can sit on a shelf for an undefined period of time, just how ‘good’ can they be. Then there are the chemical additives, artificial colors, flavors and potentially harmful preservatives.