Pet Food Safety

Common-sense tips and the latest recall advisories from the FDA

Part of your responsibility as a pet parent is to help protect your pet from potentially harmful products.

While it is nearly impossible to ensure that your pet will never come in contact with recalled pet food or treats, you can reduce your pet's risk.

You can start even before you feed your pet: Practice good hygiene with your pets' food and water bowls »

Tips for protecting your pets from contaminated food and treats

1. Check regularly for information about items that have been recalled.

The FDA lists the latest pet-food recalls

2. If your pet's food or treats are recalled (see list below), immediately stop feeding the product to your pet. Recalled products may be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or thrown away in a secure area not accessible to animals. If you have questions about recalled food or treats or require additional information contact the company that manufactures the product.

3. If your pet may have consumed a recalled product, consult your veterinarian, even if your pet does not appear to have any symptoms.

4. If your pet has become ill or died because of a recalled food or treat, please report it to The FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your state.

FDA advisories on recalled pet food and treats:

August 14, 2013: P&G Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Eukanuba and Iams Due to Possible Health Risk

June 18, 2013: Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

June 12, 2013: Hartz Mountain Corporation Is Voluntarily Recalling One Specific Lot of 1.2 oz. Size of Wardley Betta Fish Food Due to Possible Health Risk

April 22, 2013: Natura Pet Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

April 19, 2013: Merit Bird Company, LLS Recalls Vitae Because of Possible Health Risk

April 5, 2013: Bravo! Issues a Voluntary Recall for Three Raw Frozen Food Diet for Dogs and Cats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

April 2, 2013: Natura Pet Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

March 22, 2013: Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Woofers Dog Treats Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

March 19, 2013: Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

March 14, 2013: Bravo! Recalls 2 lb Tubes of Chicken Blend-Raw Frozen Food Diet for Dogs and Cats (One Lot Code) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

March 11, 2013: Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals and 4health Dry Cat Food Formulas Voluntarily Recalled Due to Possibility of Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

March 11, 2013: Diggin' Your Dog Recalls Strippin' Chicks Pet Treats Distributed in Colorado and Nevada Due to Possible Salmonella Hazard

March 8, 2013: Steve’s Real Food Recalls Turducken Canine Recipe Patties Because of Posssible Health Risk

February 28, 2013: United Pet Group Inc., Voluntarily Withdraws "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels" Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

February 22, 2013: The Honest Kitchen® Voluntarily Recalls Limited Lots Of Verve®, Zeal®And Thrive® Products Due To Possible Health Risk

February 22, 2013: Kasel Associates Industries Recalling Certain Pet Treats Due to Salmonella Contamination Boots and Barkley, Colorado Naturals, Nature’s Deli among brands affecteds

February 22, 2013: Kaytee Recalls Bird Treats and Greens Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination from Parsley Flakes

February 21, 2013: Nutri-Vet, LLC Recalls Nutri-Vet and Nutripet Chicken Jerky Products Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

February 19, 2013: Nature's Variety Issues Voluntarily Recall of One Batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula for Dogs & Cats Due to Possible Health Risk

January 27, 2013: The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily withdrawing its Hartz ® Chicken Chews ™ and Hartz ® Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken for dogs

January 15, 2013: Milo’s Kitchen® Voluntarily Recalls Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers Home-style Dog Treats

January 9, 2013: FDA CVM Update on Jerky Treats

December 13, 2012: Claudia’s Canine Cuisine® Voluntarily Recalls its Dogcandy® Brand of Holiday Hound Cake (7.5 Oz.) and Blueberry Hound Cake (7.5 Oz) Manufactured for, Distributed, and Sold in Approximately 130 Petsmart Stores Because of the Possibility of Mold

December 7, 2012: FDA: Don’t feed certain Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog treats: Product may be contaminated with Salmonella

November 26, 2012: Carolina Prime Pet Inc. Announces Recall Of Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

November 19, 2012: Magnolia Bird Farm, Inc. Recalls Peanuts and Seed Mixes Because of Possible Health Risk

November 1, 2012: Premium Nutritional Products Announces Ongoing Voluntary Recall Of Select ZuPreem Bird Foods

October 25, 2012: Wildwood Seed & Specialties Voluntarily Recalls Pet Bird And Small Pet Animal Food Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

October 23, 2012: TBD Brands, LLC Initiates Voluntary Recall of One Flavor of Organic Frozen Yogurt Dog Treat due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

October 17, 2012: Kasel Associated Industries Recalls Boots & Barkley Roasted American Pig Ears and Boots & Barkley American Variety Pack Dog Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

October 15, 2012: Nature's Recipe Voluntarily Recalls Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits With Real Chicken Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

October 4, 2012: Kasel Associated Industries Recalls Nature's Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

September 24, 2012: Kasel Associated Industries Recalls Boots & Barkley American Beef Bully sticks Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

September 12, 2012: Breeder’s Choice Pet Food Recalls AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

July 31, 2012: Arthur Dogswell LLC Voluntarily Recalls Catswell Brand Vitakitty Chicken Breast With Flaxseed And Vitamins Because Of Possible Health Risk

July 18, 2012: Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China

July 2, 2012: Mars Petcare US Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Pedigree® Brand Wet Dog Food

May 23, 2012: Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food Production Code DSL 0801 Due to Small Potential for Salmonella Contamination

May 14, 2012: Correction to Date Code in Natural Balance Pet Foods’ Voluntary Recall Dated May 4, 2012 Due to the Potential for Salmonella Contamination

May 14, 2012: Nestlé Purina Voluntarily Recalls Single Lot of Therapeutic Canned Cat Food Due to A Low Level of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

May 8, 2012: Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, Inc. Recalls Dog Food Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

May 7, 2012: Apex Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella No Pet or Human Illnesses have been Reported Associated With Apex Dog Food

May 7, 2012: Wellpet LLC Voluntarily Recalls One Recipe Of Dry Dog Food Due To Salmonella At Diamond Pet Foods' Facility

May 7, 2012: Natural Balance Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Certain Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella Contamination

May 7, 2012: UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION Canidae Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella

May 7, 2012: UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

May 3, 2012: Updated Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China

May 1, 2012: Kaytee Recalls Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

May 1, 2012: Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Diamond Puppy Formula due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

April 27, 2012: Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of One Production Run of Dry Dog Food Due to a Potential Health Risk Recall is limited to one formula of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul distributed to 10 states

April 17, 2012: Product Recall Information of Baby Bird & Baby Macaw Feeding Formula

April 10, 2012: Diamond Pet Foods Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Dry Dog Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk Recall is limited to one formula of Diamond Naturals distributed to 12 states; no illnesses reported

April 2, 2012: The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Four Lots of Wardley® Advanced Nutrition™ Perfect Protein™ Tropical Flake Fish Food Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

December 28, 2011: Petrus Feed and Seed Stores, Inc. recalls its 21% Dog Food

December 28, 2011: Feeders Supply, Inc. Recalls Arrow Brand Dry Dog Food

December 13, 2011: Updated News Release With Corrected Lot Numbers Advanced Animal Nutrition Recalls Dog Power Dry Dog Food

December 8, 2011: Advanced Animal Nutrition Recalls Dog Power Dry Dog Food

December 7, 2011: Cargill Animal Nutrition Recalls River Run and Marksman Dry Dog Food

December 6, 2011: P&G Voluntarily Recalls One Production Lot of Dry Dog Food (Iams brand)

November 18, 2011: FDA Continues to Caution Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products

October 4, 2011:  Thumb Oilseed Recalls Soy Flour (Utilized To Manufacture Human and Animal Food) Due To Salmonella Contamination 

August 8, 2011: Merrick Pet Care Recalls Doggie Wishbone (Item #29050, Lot 11031 Best by 30 Jan 2013) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

July 29, 2011: Nestlé Purina Recalls Limited Number of Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk

June 28, 2011: Nestlé Purina Recalls Limited Number of Dry Cat Food Bags Due to a Potential Health Risk (Shipped Only to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon)

June 4, 2011: Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Bravo! Pig Ears Dog Chews Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

May 31, 2011:Primal Pet Foods Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall On Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula With A "Best By" Date Code Of 043112-1718

May 18, 2011: Boss Pet Recalls Pig Ear Products Because of Possible Health Risk

May 18, 2011:  BLACKMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. RECALLS PRIMETIME BRAND 2 CT., AND 5 CT. PREMIUM PIG EARS AND KC BEEFHIDE BRAND 20 CT. PREMIUM PIG EARS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK.²⁰

May 4, 2011:   Keys Manufacturing Company, Inc. Recalls Pig Ears for Pet Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Risk

March 9, 2011: Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk »

Feb. 28, 2011: Wellpet LLC Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots of Canned Cat Food»

Jan. 28, 2011: Merrick Pet Care Recalls Jr Texas Taffy pet treat because of possible Salmonella health risk »

Jan. 28, 2011: Manna Pro issues limited voluntary recall of a horse feed product distributed in California, Nevada, and Oregon »

Oct. 8, 2010: Kroger Recalls Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk »

Oct. 8, 2010: Blue Buffalo Company recalls dry dog food because of possible excess Vitamin D »

Sept. 3, 2010: The Hartz Mountain Corporation recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef treats because of possible salmonella health risk »

Aug. 31, 2010: P&G voluntarily recalls a small amount of dry cat food »

Aug. 30, 2010: P&G recalls small number of cat food bags from stores in Loveland, Colo. »

Aug. 16, 2010: Merrick Pet Care recalls Filet Squares and Texas Hold'ems 10oz Bag because of possible salmonella health risk »

Aug. 3, 2010: P&G expands voluntary limited recall of specialized dry pet foods due to possible health risk » 

July 15, 2010: Feline's Pride is expanding its July 1 voluntary recall of Feline's Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, to include the product produced on 6/21/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella »

July 2, 2010: United Pet Group is voluntarily expanding its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination »

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/facts/pet_food_safety.html

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm