Pet Food Recalls: How to Protect Your Furry Family Members

Pet food recalls happen more often than many pet owners realize. Contamination with bacteria, excessive vitamins, or toxic substances can seriously harm or even kill beloved pets. Here's how to stay informed and protect your furry family members.

Why Pet Food Gets Recalled

Common Contamination Issues

Salmonella: Can sicken both pets and the humans who handle their food. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy.

Aflatoxins: Toxic mold byproducts from corn and other grains. Can cause liver failure in dogs.

Vitamin D toxicity: Too much vitamin D causes kidney failure. Several major recalls have involved this issue.

Pentobarbital: A euthanasia drug that has been found in some pet foods, potentially from contaminated meat sources.

Foreign objects: Metal fragments, plastic pieces, or other manufacturing debris.

Manufacturing Problems

Incorrect nutrient levels
Cross-contamination during production
Packaging failures leading to spoilage
Labeling errors (wrong ingredients listed)

Signs Your Pet May Have Eaten Contaminated Food

In Dogs

Vomiting or diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Increased thirst or urination
Lethargy or weakness
Yellowing of eyes or gums (jaundice)
Seizures

In Cats

Vomiting
Refusing food
Weight loss
Excessive drooling
Unusual behavior
Difficulty breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they coincide with opening a new bag of food, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How to Check for Pet Food Recalls

Search RecallPedia

Enter your pet food brand and product name to find any active recalls.

Check FDA Resources

The FDA maintains a list of pet food recalls at FDA.gov/animal-veterinary/recalls-withdrawals

Monitor Manufacturer Websites

Most major pet food companies post recall information prominently on their websites.

Save Your Packaging

Brand and product name
Lot number or batch code
"Best by" or expiration date
Where you purchased it

What to Do If Your Pet's Food Is Recalled

Step 1: Stop Feeding Immediately

Unlike some human food recalls, pet food recalls often warrant immediate action. Stop feeding the recalled product right away.

Step 2: Secure the Food

Returning for a refund
Testing if your pet becomes ill
Reporting to authorities

Step 3: Watch for Symptoms

Monitor your pet closely for any signs of illness. If symptoms appear, seek veterinary care immediately and bring the food packaging.

Step 4: Report Problems

The FDA's Safety Reporting Portal: safetyreporting.hhs.gov
The pet food manufacturer
Your veterinarian

Step 5: Get a Refund

Most retailers and manufacturers offer full refunds for recalled pet food. Contact the store where you purchased it.

Preventing Future Issues

Diversify Your Pet's Diet

Consider rotating between 2-3 different brands (if your pet tolerates changes). This reduces risk from any single contaminated batch.

Buy Smaller Bags More Frequently

Large economy bags save money but increase the impact if a recall occurs. Smaller bags mean less potentially contaminated food in your home.

Check Packaging Before Buying

Avoid damaged bags or dented cans
Check expiration dates
Look for unusual odors, colors, or textures when opening

Store Food Properly

Keep dry food in its original bag, inside an airtight container
Refrigerate wet food after opening
Don't mix old and new food
Clean food bowls regularly

Consider Fresh or Home-Prepared Options

Work with a veterinary nutritionist
Ensure balanced nutrition
Follow food safety practices

Reporting Suspected Contamination

If your pet gets sick and you suspect the food, even without an official recall:

Save the food and packaging
Photograph lot numbers and expiration dates
Document your pet's symptoms and timeline
Report to the FDA Safety Reporting Portal
Ask your vet to submit a report as well

Your report could trigger an investigation that protects other pets.

Your pet's health is precious. Check RecallPedia regularly and sign up for FDA pet food recall alerts at FDA.gov to stay informed.