Spectrum Brands Pet Care has issued a recall of its Pet Fur deShedding Conditioner over concerns that it could expose pet owners to bacteria.
According to a release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recalled product may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria commonly found in water and soil but can cause infection in humans. CPSC officials said that people with weakened immune systems or external medical devices are at risk of serious infection if exposed to the bacteria. Those with healthy immune systems are typically not affected.
Spectrum Brands has received four reports from consumers of mold developing on the inside of the conditioner container. No injuries or illnesses related to the recall have been reported, the CPSC said.
The recalled pet conditioner was sold in one-gallon plastic containers and are marked with the UPC number 854460001073 printed on the label, according to the release. Around 102,000 units of the product were sold throughout the United States. The recall notice was issued in conjunction with the government of Canada, where around 250 recalled units were sold.
The conditioner containers were sold at Amazon.com and Chewy.com from January 2022 through April 2024 for around $63. The lot numbers impacted by the recall include 211102 and between 220402 to 240152. Lot numbers are printed on the bottom of the container.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pet conditioner and contact the firm to receive a full refund,” the CPSC said. “Do not empty the product prior to disposal or pour the product down the toilet or drain.”
Recalls are available for consumers who have purchased the conditioner. The CPSC said people should write the word ‘Recalled’ on their purchased items and upload a picture of the product’s UPC, date and the customer’s initials to www.prodprotect.com/recall/FURminator. Officials then ask that customers submit a photo of the product disposed in the trash. Recalls will be issued “upon successful registration.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections can impact an individual’s skin, blood, lungs and GI tract, as well as other parts of the body. Symptoms vary depending on what parts of the body are infected, although signs can include chills, fever, fatigue, earaches and headaches, nausea, eye inflammation and pain, difficulty breathing or discolored bumps on a person’s skin.
The CPSC said that the bacteria can enter the body “if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin.” Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections can also spread from person to person, such as through contaminated surfaces or on the hands, said the Cleveland Clinic. Antibiotics are often recommended to treat such infections.
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