Voluntary recall of dog fur deshedding conditioner

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium dog conditioner, one gallon. (Photo courtesy of United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Spectrum Brands Pet Care)

Spectrum Brands Pet Care voluntarily recalled its FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium dog conditioner sold in a clear one-gallon (128 oz) container with and without the pump. The recall is due to potential contamination of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), an environmental bacterium commonly present in soil and water that poses a risk of serious infection to people with compromised immune systems or who use external medical devices, such as catheters or ventilators.

The conditioner’s Universal Product Code (UPC) number shown on the label is 854460001073. Affected lot numbers for units sold without a pump are 211102 and affected lot numbers for units sold with a pump are between 220402 and 240152. These numbers can be found on the bottom of the containers. The products were sold online from Amazon and Chewy from January 2022 through April 2024, and were distributed by Spectrum Brands Pet LLC, of Middleton, Wisconsin.¹

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Spectrum Brands Pet Care has reported no injuries. It has however, received 4 reports of mold developing in the container.¹

A P. aeruginosa infection can affect various parts of a person’s body, including the skin, blood, lungs, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.² P. aeruginosa typically does not cause infection in people with healthy immune systems. It can, however, be potentially deadly to immunocompromised individuals.² The bacteria can enter the body through the eyes, a break in the skin, or if inhaled.¹ The infection is usually treated with antibiotics, although these bacteria have developed resistance to certain antibiotics.²

Some of the types of infections that these bacteria may cause include²:

• Septicemia
• Ear infection
• Eye infection
• Pneumonia
• Skin infection (cellulitis)
• Urinary tract infections
• GI tract infections, including in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus

Approximately 102,000 of the deshedding conditioner containers were sold in the United States, with 250 also sold in Canada. The recall was issued June 6, 2024.¹

Consumers are advised to discontinue use of the recalled pet conditioner promptly and contact the company to obtain a complete refund.¹ The CPSC and Spectrum Brands Pet Care warns consumers not to empty the product before disposing and not to pour it down the toilet or drain. Instead, customers should label the product with the word "Recalled," upload a picture showing the product's UPC, date, and customer initials, and then upload another photo of the disposed product in the trash on the FURminator website. After successful registration, the company will process refunds for eligible purchases.¹

References

1. Spectrum Brands Pet Care Recalls Pet Fur deShedding Conditioner Due to Risk of Exposure to Bacteria. News release. United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. June 6, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Spectrum-Brands-Pet-Care-Recalls-Pet-Fur-deShedding-Conditioner-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria
2. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25164-pseudomonas-infection