Some 9 Lives Cat Food Recalled For Low Levels Of Key Ingredient

If you’ve been feeding your cat 9Lives Cat Food, check the product label. The manufacturer, J.M. Smucker Company, is voluntarily recalling some products because of possible low levels of thiamine, or Vitamin B1. If cats don’t get enough of the vitamin, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns, it can cause wobbly walking, seizures, vomiting and, in severe cases, death.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide, according to a recall notice on the FDA site. No illnesses have been reported, and the company said it is recalling the product “out of an abundance of caution.”

The recalled products are:

9Lives Protein Plus With Tuna & Chicken
UPC code: 7910021549
Product size: four-pack of cans, 5.5 ounces each
Best if used by date: March 27, 2020 – Nov. 14, 2020

9Lives Protein Plus With Tuna & Liver
UPC code: 7910021748
Product size: four-pack of cans, 5.5 ounces each
Best if used by date: April 17, 2020 – Sept. 14, 2020

No other 9Lives products or products made by the company were recalled. The potential for low thiamine levels was identified internally during product testing.

When cats are fed a diet lacking adequate thiamine, an essential vitamin for cats, they can develop gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, failure to grow, and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which include ventroflexion (bending toward the floor) of the neck, mental dullness, blindness, wobbly walking, circling, falling, seizures, and sudden death.
If your cat displays any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is usually reversible, the FDA said.

If you bought any of the products affected in the recall, stop feeding it to your cats and dispose of the products. Refunds or coupons for a replacement product can be received by emailing the company with this completed form or calling (888) 569-6828 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

More information is available here.

Main image via Shutterstock