Cat Food Recall
J.M. Smucker has recalled lots of its 9Lives Protein Plus wet canned cat food for low thiamine levels. A woman looks at a Scottish straight cat during an international cat exhibition in Bishkek on November 26, 2017. Getty Images/VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO

The J.M. Smucker Company has issued a recall of its 9Lives Protein Plus wet canned cat food. The cat food was recalled for possible low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

The recalled cat food includes 9Lives Protein Plus With Tuna & Chicken wet canned cat food with a UPC code of 791002154. It is sold in a four-pack of cans that weigh 5.5 oz each. It has a Best if Used By Date of Mar. 27, 2020 to Nov.14, 2020.

Also recalled is the 9Lives Protein Plus With Tuna & Liver wet canned cat food with a UPC code of 7910021748. It is also sold in a four-pack of cans that weigh 5.5 oz each. The Best if Used By Date is Apr. 17, 2020 to Sept.14, 2020.

The Best if Used By Date can be found on the bottom of each can. The recalled cat food was distributed nationwide, and according to the company, no other products are affected by the recall.

Cats that consume low levels of thiamine as apart of their diet can develop a Vitamin B1 deficiency. Symptoms may include gastrointestinal or neurological issues. Early signs of thiamine deficiency include decreased appetite, salivation , vomiting, failure to grow, and weight loss.

Some cases of low thiamine levels may develop into ventroflexion , which causes the neck of a cat to bend towards the floor as well as mental dullness, blindness, wobbly walking, circling, falling, seizures, and sudden death.

J.M. Smucker urges pet owners that see any of these symptoms in their cat to seek medical assistance from a veterinarian. If treated quickly, the effects of thiamine deficiency can be reversed in cats, the company said.

Pet owners should stop feeding their cats the recalled cat food and dispose of the product. To receive a refund for the cat food or coupon for replacement cans, consumers can complete an online form found on the J.M. Smucker website. Consumers can also call the company at 1-888-569-6828, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

J.M. Smucker said there have been no reports of illness from the recalled cat food. The company made the recall “out of an abundance of caution.” The low thiamine levels were discovered through internal product testing.

J.M. Smucker is conducting the recall in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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