Summary of Key Points
Recently, a large number of cats have been experiencing paralysis in their hind legs. Pet owners have noticed that almost all of these cats had consumed Berna Tianchun or Freigate cat food. There are 123 complaints about paralysis on the Black Cat Complaints platform, and spontaneous community statistics indicate that there may be over 5,000 affected cats, with 65% eating Berna Tianchun and 24% eating Freigate. However, both brands deny any issues with their products, claiming that these symptoms are a “long-standing medical phenomenon” for which there is no direct evidence linking them to the cat food. The author believes that the brands cannot escape responsibility and suggests investigating potential issues such as a deficiency in vitamin B1 in the manufacturing process. They should not shift the blame and instead learn from the sincerity shown by Canadian brand Purina when they recalled their products, cherishing the trust of their customers.
Detailed Analysis
1. Why Do No One Believe the Brands’ Explanations for the Spotted Cases of Cat Paralysis?
Many pet owners have similar experiences: their cats suddenly lose strength in their hind legs and become paralyzed, but the symptoms improve after switching to a different brand of cat food. For example, a cat that had been with the owner for 12 years became paralyzed after switching to Berna Tianchun, but improved once the food was changed. The Black Cat Complaints platform lists 123 complaints related to these two brands. However, the brands argue that these symptoms are common and not related to their products—just like if you eat at a certain restaurant and get diarrhea, and the restaurant says, “Diarrhea is common; it’s not our problem.” Who would believe that?
More importantly, Berna Tianchun ranks fourth in cat food sales on Tmall, while brands like Medifood and Royal have fewer complaints when searched for “paralysis.” If these symptoms were indeed common, why would only cats eating these two brands be affected? The fact that the symptoms improve after switching to a different brand undermines the brands’ claims of no causal relationship.
2. Is the Claim of “Competitors Sabotaging Domestic Brands” Credible?
Some suspect that competitors could be behind this, but Berna Tianchun is not a purely domestic brand. In 2022, a fund owned by LVHM (the luxury goods group) invested in its parent company, making it a “foreign-funded + local” hybrid brand. Moreover, the complaints began last September for both Berna Tianchun and Freigate, so if it were a deliberate attempt to discredit domestic brands, the competitors would have needed to plan a year in advance, which seems impractical given the high costs involved.
3. Could Cat Paralysis Be Related to a Vitamin B1 Deficiency?
The industry has long recognized that cats cannot produce enough vitamin B1 (thiamine) on their own and must obtain it from their food. High-temperature processing methods (such as extrusion) can result in a 30%-70% loss of vitamin B1, and the presence of enzymes that break down thiamine in certain ingredients (like some fish) can lead to even higher losses (over 90%). A deficiency in vitamin B1 can damage the protective layer around a cat’s nerves, causing instability in movement and paralysis (medically known as “ataxia”).
The brands simply state that their products are “non-toxic,” but being non-toxic does not mean they provide adequate nutrition. They should first investigate whether their manufacturing processes are causing the loss of vitamin B1 instead of shifting the blame.
4. What Did Purina Do in a Similar Situation?
In 2008-2009, Canadian brand Purina faced a similar issue with its cat food: 90 cats suffered nerve damage, with 4/5 either dying or having long-term health issues. Purina responded promptly by identifying the risk, recalling all affected batches, asking retailers to remove the products from sale, and offering full refunds plus medical expenses to customers. They also improved their manufacturing processes and enhanced quality control. Today, Purina remains a leading premium pet food brand—its success is based on genuine commitment.
In contrast, Berna Tianchun and Freigate are still selling their products normally and continuing with live sales promotions without conducting proper investigations. The difference is stark.
5. The High Profit Margins in the Pet Food Industry Mean Trust Cannot Be Taken Lighly
The pet food industry has high profit margins: regular cat food typically earns 30%-35%, while mid-to-high-end brands can earn up to 45%. The success of these brands relies on their reputation; pet owners are willing to pay more because they trust that the products will keep their cats healthy. Purina was able to recover from a similar crisis in the past because it did not overdraw on customer trust. Currently, with 5,000 affected cats, these two brands are still engaging in semantic games rather than taking serious action. If they lose consumers’ trust, even high profit margins will not save them.
Conclusion
For pet owners, their cats are family members. Instead of focusing on clever public relations statements, brands should immediately address the issues with their products. Admit mistakes and make corrections to prevent cats from suffering needlessly and avoid damaging their reputations. After all, without trust, there is no future for a business.