I've been feeding Nutro kibble to my 3 since 2004.  I've also been feeding
them Nutro gourmet (canned, on the recall list). Obviously, I quit feeding
the canned since the recall, though the canned varieties I feed them were
not in the initial recall--they were not recalled until the second wave.

On the other hand, I had a siamese
http://www.davidandmollie.com/kitties/twinkle/twinknew.htm that passed away
in summer 2003, from kidney failure, and we thought it was very strange but
since my father was in the hospital on a ventilator at the time we didn't
have the bandwidth to look into it. She was only 11.

We feed her a variety of kibbles and cans all of her life---from Meow Mix to
Iams.  We never served Nutro products until after she passed away, when a
rescue person suggested we use their canned kitten food to get a new adoptee
to take her meds. She said she'd never had a kitten turn down their canned
chicken and liver kitten food.

I don't know that Nutro is worth singling out.  I think it's the lax
enforcement of import regs, and the way we've taught emerging countries to
lie cheat and steal to get ahead that's to blame.

Why, with all the crops we have here, are we importing FOOD products from
countries with no safety controls???

Lastly, using one source for our foods --whatever the source--is risky.  If
there's a problem it's a problem for all.  Diversity is a good thing, just
careful and well-planned. Just like planting all of one kind of crop or tree
is dangerous.  If we wipe it out--we have nothing to fall back on...but
don't get me started....

I am currently using canned Wellness (finally!) which is human grade food
and contains no grains! I had previously used Pet Promise, which is also
human grade. The main reason I switched to Wellness was that the Pet Promise
contained too many carbohydrates for my formerly diabetic cat, but the
carbohydrates are in the form of brown rice and potatoes, no glutens of any
sort. For dry food, I have been using Purina OM (overweight management)
which does contain wheat gluten and corn gluten. I was at the veterinary
office yesterday. The tech told me that the Purina company had reassured
them that the OM does not contain any contaminated gluten. The tech further
stated that many of their clients feed their animals Purina OM and there has
not been one single client who has experienced any problem. FWIW. The vast
majority of the Science Diet dry foods do not contain any wheat, wheat
gluten, or other wheat products, but they do contain corn gluten.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

I feed Luna the Nutro dry hairball management chicken flavor. It has NO
wheat gluten but it does have corn gluten, so I started to freak out a
bit with word of more contaminations. I think it is worth noting that
NONE of their dry foods have been recalled, though I have been feeling
like you do and wondering if they are to be trusted. FWIW, here is what
I got from them by email just yesterday:

________________________________________________________________________
April 23, 2007

Dear Nutro Customers,

We know many of you have questions about the FDA's latest reports that
melamine was found in rice protein concentrate (also referred to as rice
gluten). We want to address those concerns as well as provide you with
information on our use of corn gluten, which we include in some of our
pet foods as an ingredient in the form of corn gluten meal.

Our customers have also brought to our attention confusion that has been
caused by the media in reporting the new recall of some Natural Balance
pet foods.  Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. is not in any way affiliated
with Nutro Products nor Nutro's Natural Choice®, MAX® or Ultra™ brands.

I hope the following information is helpful in clearing up any confusion
you may have.

Regarding Rice Protein Concentrate:

(1) Nutro uses rice protein concentrate in some of its products because
it provides an important source of protein for pets, especially for
those with digestive sensitivities and allergies.

(2) Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that the rice protein
concentrate (also known as rice gluten) used in Nutro's pet foods does
not contain melamine.

(3) It has been reported that the Natural Balance recall is focused on
products containing rice protein concentrate provided by Wilbur-Ellis
Company.  Nutro has NEVER purchased or used rice protein concentrate
from Wilbur-Ellis Company in any of our pet foods.

Regarding Corn Gluten:

(1) Nutro uses corn gluten meal in some of its pet foods because it is a
source of sulfur amino acids, which are important for skin and coat
health.  Corn gluten meal also helps as a natural urine acidifier that
is important for both cats and dogs.

(2) All of the corn gluten meal that Nutro uses in its products is
produced in the United States.

Nutro customers may check Nutro's website
(http://www.nutroproducts.com/) or contact our Consumer Hotline -- (800)
833-5330 -- for further information about our products.  We will
continue to post updated information on our website and our customer
service representatives are working diligently to respond to each and
every call and email personally.

We understand that the pet food recall has caused continued confusion
and frustration and we are doing everything we can to provide you with
the information you need about our products.  We will continue to keep
you updated.

Sincerely,

Dave Kravis
President & CEO
Nutro Products
_________________________________________________________________________________

I'm not sure what to make of this and Luna will simply not tolerate a
wet diet, so I am at a loss as to what is the right course of action in
terms of feeding her. I've still been feeding her the nutro dry,
nervously, which is a shitty way to feel, but again, not sure what to do
or where to turn for now.

Pam

You could try Innova or Felidae.  Neither uses wheat gluten, corn gluten or
rice gluten.

Sue