WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- An animal rights group suggests that too much Vitamin D in pet food may be to blame for a recent rash of pet deaths in the United States.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is probably wrong to blame the problem on contaminated wheat gluten.
In a letter to the FDA, Bruce Friedrich, PETA vice president, said that health problems in animals last year were linked to an excess of Vitamin D-3, which led to kidney problems. He said that symptoms reported by pet owners and veterinarians are consistent with Vitamin D overdose.
He also argued that wheat gluten is used only in wet pet food while health problems have been reported in animals that have eaten only dry food.
"The FDA is feeding the public a line, and the American people's faith in the government is dying along with dogs and cats," Friedrich said. "The agency's failure to pinpoint the cause of death for animals who have eaten only dry food is cause for the commissioner to resign or be fired."
