PetHealth

Happy Tails Dog Treats Recalled Due to Salmonella-Tainted Peanut Butter

“How can I tell if my Happy Tails dog treats have been recalled?”

“What’s the UPC code for the recalled pet treats?”

“Will my dog get salmonella if he eats recalled dog treats?”

The list of recalled pet foods and recalled pet treats continues to grow, as a result of the salmonella-tainted peanut butter that’s sickened hundreds and even killed a handful of unlucky victims.

Pet treats are included among the items that have been recalled as a result of the peanut butter salmonella scare of January 2009.

Recalled: Happy Tails Multi Flavored Dog Treats

Happy Trails brand Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits have been recalled; some of the dog treats in this multi-flavored package are said to contain the peanut butter that’s been recalled due to salmonella contamination.

These treats are sold at many stores across the United States, including Albertsons, Shaw’s Supermarkets and Star Market, among others prior to January 25, 2009.

The following UPC codes and package sizes of Happy Tails dog treats are recalled:

• 26-ounce packages - UPC 41163-42406
• 4-pound packages - UPC 41163-42403

For additional information, shoppers can call Supervalu Inc. at 877-932-7948.

If your dog ate these recalled pet treats, it’s important to monitor the dog for symptoms of salmonella, including vomiting, diarrhea, refusing to eat and fever.

How Do I Learn More About Recalled Dog Foods, Cat Foods and Pet Treats?

To learn more about how to learn about recalled pet food brands read How Do I Know if My Pet’s Food Has Been Recalled?

Dog owners should also read about another dog treat recall, issued for PetSmart’s  Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits.

For additional information on what to do during a pet food recall, the signs and symptoms of salmonella in dogs and cats and more, visit The Pet Food Recall Page.

Pet Food Recalls Due to Salmonella - How They Occur and How to Learn About Cat and Dog Food Recalls

“How does dog food and cat food get contaminated with salmonella?”

“Can my dog give me salmonella?”

“My dog has vomiting and diarrhea. Does he have salmonella?”

“How do I know if my dog’s food is recalled for salmonella?”

 Salmonella is rather unusual for one very important reason: salmonella is one of the few illnesses that can be passed from humans to pets, from pets to humans and from pet to pet (i.e. from cat to dog.) For this reason, salmonella is a very frightening illness and it can be a potentially deadly illness in some cases.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that invades the digestive system of a cat, dog or other pets. Salmonella can be transmitted with casual contact, in body fluids or in food.

Symptoms of salmonella in cats, dogs and other pets include vomiting and diarrhea (often with blood present), dehydration and fever.

Salmonella contamination in food most often occurs when a person or animal that’s suffering from salmonella comes in contact with foods in a manufacturing plant.

How Does Pet Food Get Contaminated With Salmonella?

In the case of the Mars Petcare US Pet Food Recall, a pet food factory employee contracted salmonella. The employee apparently contaminated the pet food facility, leading to a salmonella-related Pedigree Dog Food recall.

Eventually, the salmonella pet food recall was expanded to include more than a dozen other brands of cat food and dog food, like Special Kitty and Ol’ Roy. The pet food plant was shut down as a result of the salmonella outbreak, but the source was never found. Ultimately, the pet food manufacturing plant was shut down permanently.

More recently, an industrial peanut supplier’s peanut paste and peanut butter products were found to be tainted with salmonella. Dog treats containing the salmonella-tainted peanut butter - like Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits, sold by PetSmart - were subsequently recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. So this is a second way that pet foods and pet treats can become tainted with salmonella - when an ingredient used to manufacture the pet food or pet treats is contaminated with salmonella.

How Do I Learn More About Pet Food Recalls? How Do I Know if My Pet’s Food is Tainted With Salmonella?

There are many ways that pet owners can stay informed about pet food recalls.

One great website with current, comprehensive information dog and cat food recalls is the Pet Care @ Suite101 site, which features my Pet Food Recall Page.

Also check out my posts here on The Pet Health Blog , where I will keep readers informed on all the latest pet food recalls, especially with the recent peanut butter salmonella scare involving Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits.