Do you feed your pets JERKY?

Beware: The treats you feed your dog may very well be harming him.

Since 2007, the FDA has been getting numerous reports of dogs (and some cats) getting sick after consuming jerky treats. While they haven’t been traced to any particular brand name, most of the tainted jerky is believed to be sourced from China.

So far, over 3600 pets have been reported ill leading to over 580 deaths. All sizes and breeds are being affected.

The FDA reports that after hours of eating the treats you should watch closely for the following symptoms:

Decreased appetite
Decreased activity
Diarrhea, sometimes with blood
Increased water consumption
Increased urination

If you have noticed any of these symptoms you can report it to the FDA here:http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm

The FDA recommends caution in feeding pets jerky treats — stating that they are not essential to a balanced diet — and to stop serving them immediately if your pet becomes sick. The agency also urges owners to save the remaining treats and its packing for possible testing.