Salmonella Found in Two Lots of Darwin’s Cat Food, FDA Advisory Says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning cat owners not to feed two specific lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats. Two samples of the food tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA says the company has not yet carried out an adequate recall, so owners need to check their own freezers.

How the problem came to light

The FDA collected and tested the samples after a consumer complained that two cats became sick with gastrointestinal illness after eating the food. One of the cats was hospitalized after eating from one of the two affected lots. Both cats recovered once they stopped eating the products.

Which products are affected

The two lots are of the same product, Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats:

• Lot 12731, manufactured July 8, 2026
• Lot 12493, manufactured April 2, 2026

The food is sold frozen in 2-pound white and clear plastic packages with green and black labeling. Each package is divided into four separate units, and the lot code is printed on the front of the lower left unit. Darwin’s sells directly to consumers online through a subscription service.

The products carry no expiration date on the label, so the FDA notes that affected food could still be sitting in home freezers. It asks owners to check before feeding any more of it.

What owners should do now

• Stop feeding any food from the two lots and throw it away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot reach it.
• Do not donate the food.
• If the lot code is missing or unreadable, throw the food away.
• Clean and disinfect storage containers, bowls, utensils, food preparation surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors and any other surface the food or the pet touched, including the refrigerator or freezer.
• Pick up your pet’s feces in yards, parks and other shared places, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling the food or cleaning up.

Why this matters for your household

Salmonella is a bacterium that can make both animals and people ill, especially the very young, the very old and those with weak immune systems. Pets do not always show symptoms, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, loss of appetite and lower activity. A cat that looks healthy can still carry the bacteria and pass them on through feces and saliva, which can contaminate the home, other animals and people.

The FDA stresses that neither freezing nor refrigeration kills Salmonella, so keeping the food frozen does not make it safe. People who develop diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps should consult a healthcare provider. If your cat shows any of the symptoms above, call your veterinarian promptly.

Reporting a sick pet

Anyone who believes a pet became ill after eating contaminated food should contact a veterinarian first. The FDA encourages owners and veterinarians to report pet food complaints through its Safety Reporting Portal.

What is still unknown

The FDA recommended that the maker, Arrow Reliance, Inc., which does business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, recall the two lots. As of the advisory, the company had not started an adequate recall. It is not yet clear whether it will do so, or whether other products or lots are affected. Owners should watch for updates from the FDA and the company.

Source: PETS+