ATTENTION PET LOVERS

NATURA PET Products is recalling its dry foods for dogs and cats because they may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Natura Pet's voluntary recall, announced April 19, includes all dry pet food products with expiration dates prior to and including March 24, 2013.

The brands include:

• California Natural
• EVO
• Healthwise
• Innova
• Karma

Natura Pet, based in Fremont, Neb., is a maker of "natural" and "holistic" pet foods, according to a company statement on the Food and Drug Administration's website.

All UPC codes and lot codes for dry food products with expiration dates before and including March 24, 2014 are included in the recall. Images of several of the products in question can be found on the FDA's website. The recall is an expansion of one that had been announced by the company last month.

Common household items pose health danger to pets

The affected products were sold through veterinary clinics and select pet specialty retailers throughout the United States and in Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Costa Rica. The products were also sold online.

No canned wet foods or biscuits, however, are affected by the announcement.

Pets infected with salmonella can appear tired, or have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever and vomiting. Some pets may not show these obvious symptoms, and may experience decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Other pets may be healthy but could still spread the bacteria to other animals -- or their human owners.

"If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian," Natura Pet urged consumers.

Humans may also be at risk from handling the pet food directly.

People infected with salmonella may develop symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Symptoms often last about four to seven days, and most people will recover without treatment. Some individuals, including children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems may be at risk for more serious complications that require hospitalization.