Dog Food Recalls: Everything You Need To Know

Giving my furbabies the best possible nutrition is one of my top concerns as a pet parent. Because I spend enough time and funds to provide a diet that will keep them happy and healthy, the thought of putting them to harm for eating a contaminated food is just terrible. For obvious reasons, dog food recalls are not a good news for any dog owner.

The year 2022 has been a quiet one for dog food recalls in the U.S. Only three alerts are in place for the recalled dog food from 2022. Poisoning is the main reason for dog food recalls. This is not the only reason for recalls to take place though. Possible salmonella contamination is a problem for the pet food industry from kibble to fresh food manufacturers. Read below to know more about pet food safety and recalls in the last years.

Dog Food Recalls in 2022

The number of recalls has fallen because of an improvement in ingredient sourcing and the manufacturing processes, especially in today’s best fresh dog food brands. The global supply chain problems remain, with ingredients checked for quality regularly. However, note that even a quality dog food brand can have a recall. The three foods recalled in 2022 include Freshpet’s Home Cooked Chicken Recipe of June 18, 2022. The February 18, 2022 recall of all pet foods sold in Family Dollar locations is wide-ranging. The recall at Family Dollar affected all the brands sold at the Family Dollar stores. A natural dog treat company, Dog Gone Treats decided to withdraw its range of dog treats. 

Freshpet, a producer of fresh dog foods using high-quality chicken ingredients, decided to voluntarily recall 4.5 lbs bags of chicken-based products in Maine because of potential salmonella contamination that could lead to poisoning for its customer’s dogs.

Understanding Dog Food Recalls

A dog food recall is a difficult time for a pet parent concerned about the health of their dog. The first step is to determine if your dog food is under a recall. If you have an unopened bag of food, you can return it to the store for a full refund. If you have already been feeding your dog tainted dog foods you should immediately stop. Dispose of the food in a way that limits the potential for other animals to eat it. Use a sealed container to keep the food away from other animals.

If your dog has been eating recalled dog food you should get medical advice. Your vet will be able to examine your pampered pooch and decide if she is at risk of poisoning. Contacting your vet will give you peace of mind and protect you from any poisoning. If your dog died after eating recalled food you can file a complaint with the FDA [1].

Clean Your Dog’s Food Bowl

Keeping your dog’s food and water bowls clean will help protect her from the potential for poisoning. Washing your dog’s bowl [2] should be a daily task like doing your dishes. By keeping your dog’s bowl clean you reduce the potential for contamination. Contamination levels remain low when dog food is stored in clean, air-tight containers. Wet foods need covering and refrigerating after opening. Note that raw food is the type that is most at risk for contamination.

Potential Dog Food Recall Problems

The majority of dog food recalls take place for common reasons, including:

• Foreign materials
• Nutritional imbalances
• Faulty packaging

Recalled dog food from a manufacturer can contain foreign materials from the production line. Processing equipment can break and kick out pieces of metal and plastic. When dogs eat foreign materials they can damage their digestive tract.

Scientists work to create balanced foods for pet food manufacturers. The correct levels of protein and fats help your pup stay healthy and happy. During the manufacturing process, incorrect balance of ingredients in dog foods may happen. If your dog’s food is not balanced it can be harmful to her long-term health.

Faulty packaging can lead to problems with the freshness of your dog’s food. Packaging problems can lead to spoiled food with the potential to harm your dog’s health. One way to ensure freshness of every meal and avoid contaminated food is by subscribing to the best dog food delivery service companies today. Proper storage and handling, however, are still necessary.

How Does a Pet Food Recall Start?

Pet food recalls come from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When FDA receives complaints about pet food contamination from pet owners and veterinarians, it will investigate the link between tarnished dog food and health issues with your pup. If your dog has been eating food and treats that are harmful, the FDA will contact the manufacturer and retailer to make them aware of the problem. 

Most dog food manufacturers voluntarily recall tarnished foods. This means the removal of dog food from the shelves at the insistence of the manufacturer. Manufacturers advertise recalls in the media and stores. A pet food manufacturer’s online presence and the FDA website will carry details of a recall. These sites are also where you can search dog food recalls for certain times and brands, as well as other details about them. 

Another option for the FDA is to issue an involuntary pet food recall. This means the dog food manufacturer has not issued a voluntary recall and the FDA believes in the risk. An FDA involuntary recall requires the manufacturer to recall all the tainted food. Advertising for involuntary recall is usually done via the mainstream media.

Helping Identify Tarnished Dog Food

Pet owners concerned about the quality of their dog’s food need to know if it is unhealthy. Changing foods can lead to digestive distress for your puppy. The first question for those feeding kibble is whether the bag of food is damp? Damp dry food is a sign of potential problems. If the food is mushy and has an unusual texture the FDA needs to be made aware.

Wet foods need storing in cool dry environments. A can that is bulging from the air inside is not safe for use. Your dog’s food should not smell bad and be within the end date.

Current Recalls

In 2021, the number of recalls issued by manufacturers grew to 15. On December 23 Woody’s Pet Food Deli recalled its range of roasted cornish hen with supplements. Aldi issued a recall for its Pure Being advent calendars in early December. In July 2021, the Sunshine Mills group recalled dog food products from its group of brand names. The Pup-Peroni brand name issued a withdrawal of its range of beef-flavored treats. 

It is important to remember a recall of food can happen to any pet food company—even to the best dog food. In most cases, the recall is a sign of the stringent hygiene protocols the brand uses to care for its consumers. A recall is not a reason to not buy the food of a manufacturer in the future. Pet parents can look at a recall as a sign of the safety protocols for a manufacturer being of a high standard. 

FAQs

1. What dog foods are on recall right now?

There are three dog foods on recall at the moment. These are:

• FreshPet Select Fresh from the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe
• All Family Dollar pet foods at some locations
• Dog Gone Treats Chicken Chips, Beef Liver Chips, and more

2. What dog food is killing dogs right now?

The last warning about fatalities in dogs from the FDA came in August 2021. Dog foods from Midwestern Pet Foods were found to have fatal levels of aflatoxin. 

3. Is there a recall on dog food 2022?

Yes, there are three current dog food recalls.

4. How do I know if my dog food has been recalled?

Check the FDA website and look for details on social media platforms.