PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Dog Biscuits

The peanut butter recall has gone to the dogs.

PetSmart Inc. is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice-brand dog biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by the Peanut Corp. of America. That company is the focus of a FDA investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Ga., plant.

The recalled Grreat Choice dog biscuits were sold between Aug. 21 and Jan. 19. If you have the biscuits, you can return them to PetSmart for a full refund.

A list of treats involved in the recall can be found here.

While healthy adult dogs are fairly resistant to illness from Salmonella bacteria, pets with health issues, young puppies and elderly or pregnant dogs that may have compromised immune systems may be at greater risk for becoming ill. And it can pass between pets and humans, so wash your hands good!

Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine of the ASPCA, says adult cats are relatively resistant and most dogs infected with the bacterium appear normal, but can pass Salmonella through their feces.

Dogs who do become ill from Salmonella may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and drooling or panting—an indication of nausea. In severe cases, the bacterium may spread throughout the body resulting in death. Cats may develop high fever with vague non-specific clinical signs. If you suspect that your pet may have ingested a contaminated recalled product, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

For a complete list of affected brands and more information on the recall, please visit FDA's recall page at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html. As recall information can change rapidly, it is important to check information often.