Dog food: Company warns owners

2007-04-12 16:23

Johannesburg - The makers of Vets Choice dog food have advised pet owners to stop feeding their animals the product and to consult their vets if they are concerned about the health of their pets.

This comes after the company, Royal Canin, received calls from consumers and veterinarians who have advised the company of 19 cases of dogs becoming ill.

Gregory Watine, MD of Royal Canin SA said: "We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are working together with the South African Veterinary Association (Sava) to combine our efforts through urgent laboratory testing and analysis to establish what is causing pets to become ill.

"As soon as test results are completed, results will be communicated to consumers and veterinarians immediately.

Sales suspended

"We are committed to putting the interests of pets and their health and nutrition first and will do everything in our power to ensure that our products are safe and remain safe."

At present, the cause of the illness is not known, but it appears the dogs were fed Vets Choice pet food.

Royal Canin is a worldwide pet-food company in health nutrition for dogs and cats.

Pending the finalisation of the tests and as a precautionary measure, sales of the product through vet surgeries has been suspended.

Pet owners are asked to stop feeding their pets Vets Choice product and to consult their vets if they have any concern about their health of their pets.

- News24