FDA warns eight Quest cat food lots pose thiamine deficiency risk

The FDA on March 13 warned that eight lots of Quest Cat Food marketed by Go Raw LLC, doing business as Steve’s Real Food, contained extremely low or no thiamine, an essential vitamin for cats. The agency said it received multiple consumer complaints, and that its investigation began after a veterinary neurologist reported a cat with severe thiamine deficiency signs after eating one affected lot. FDA testing found all eight lots fell far below the AAFCO minimum thiamine level for cat food, but as of the advisory, the company had recalled only three lots: one freeze-dried chicken product first recalled February 17, and two frozen chicken lots added in an expanded recall on February 26. Go Raw also said it would stop sales of all Quest products while it addresses the issue. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is both a recall story and a clinical alert. Cats can develop gastrointestinal signs such as decreased appetite and vomiting early on, then progress to ventroflexion, weakness, ataxia, circling, seizures, and death if deficiency goes untreated. FDA said some cats may show signs within a week, while others may take months, and noted that early intervention and diet change can reverse symptoms. The case also raises broader scrutiny around nutritional adequacy claims in complete-and-balanced raw diets, especially when products are fed as the sole ration. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Watch for whether Go Raw expands its recall beyond the three lots already listed, and whether FDA confirms that all affected products have been removed from the market and pet parents have been directly notified. (fda.gov)