Dog food recalls happen more frequently than many pet owners realize. The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) issues dozens of pet food recalls every year, covering everything from dry kibble to wet food, treats, and raw diets. Understanding why recalls happen, which contaminants are most common, and how to quickly verify your pet's food is safe can be the difference between catching a problem early and a serious health emergency for your dog.
Dog food is regulated by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Unlike human food, pet food does not require pre-market approval, but it must meet specific safety and labeling requirements. Key FDA requirements include:
When a safety issue is identified — either through manufacturer testing, consumer complaints, or FDA surveillance — manufacturers may voluntarily recall a product or the FDA may request a recall. In severe cases, the FDA can mandate a recall under its mandatory recall authority.
You can search our recall database to find current FDA pet food recall notices, or browse all recalls filtered to the food safety category.
Salmonella is the single most common reason for dog food recalls. While dogs are generally more resistant to Salmonella than humans, infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces, creating a significant transmission risk for humans — especially children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised people who handle pet food or come into contact with a dog's environment.
Dry kibble, treats, and raw food products are all susceptible to Salmonella contamination, which can occur at the ingredient sourcing stage, during processing, or through cross-contamination in manufacturing facilities.
Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus mold species that can grow on corn, peanuts, and other grain ingredients used in dog food. Even at low concentrations, aflatoxin is highly toxic to dogs and can cause aflatoxicosis, a form of liver disease that can be fatal.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums (jaundice), and diarrhea. Cases have been severe enough to cause deaths in numerous recalls. High-moisture conditions during grain storage are a primary risk factor.
Vitamin D is essential for dogs in appropriate amounts, but excessive levels cause vitamin D toxicity, which leads to kidney failure. Several major dog food recalls in recent years have been triggered by formulation errors in which the wrong amount of vitamin D premix was added during manufacturing, resulting in products with dangerously high vitamin D concentrations.
Brands affected by vitamin D recalls have included both premium and budget lines, demonstrating that this is a manufacturing process error that can affect any producer.
Listeria monocytogenes is another bacterial pathogen found primarily in raw and refrigerated pet food products. Like Salmonella, Listeria poses a greater risk to humans handling the food than to most healthy adult dogs, though immunocompromised pets are vulnerable.
Metal fragments, plastic pieces, rubber, or other physical contaminants have prompted recalls when discovered in finished dog food products. These materials typically enter the product through equipment wear or failure during manufacturing.
Though rare, pentobarbital — a euthanasia drug used in veterinary and animal control settings — has been detected in some dog food products, most often in wet food containing rendered meat. Its presence suggests that rendered ingredients may have included euthanized animals, which is prohibited. This issue prompted significant FDA investigations and recalls in recent years.
Checking your specific product is straightforward once you know where to look:
Step 1: Find the lot number and best-by date. These are printed or stamped on the bottom or side of dry food bags and on the bottom of wet food cans. For treats, check the back of the packaging.
Step 2: Use our recall search. Our product recall search tool aggregates FDA recall data and allows you to search by brand name, product type, or keyword. This is the fastest way to check multiple products at once.
Step 3: Scan the barcode. Use our barcode scanner to instantly check a product against current recall databases.
Step 4: Check FDA.gov directly. The FDA's recall database at FDA.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts includes a searchable list of all current and recent pet food recalls.
Step 5: Sign up for FDA alerts. The FDA offers email and RSS subscriptions for recall notices. Subscribing to the pet food category ensures you receive notifications promptly.
Not all recalls carry equal urgency. Understanding the health risk level tied to each contaminant type helps you triage how quickly you need to act — and whether a vet visit is warranted even if your dog appears fine.
The FDA assigns recalls a class rating: Class I means reasonable probability the product will cause serious health consequences or death, Class II means remote probability of serious consequences, and Class III means use is unlikely to cause adverse health outcomes. Most Salmonella and aflatoxin recalls are Class I. Vitamin D formulation errors are typically Class I as well. Foreign material recalls vary by severity of the contamination.
| Contaminant | Recall Class | Primary Risk | Time to Symptoms |
|-------------|-------------|--------------|-----------------|
| Aflatoxin | Class I | Liver failure, death | Days to weeks |
| Vitamin D toxicity | Class I | Kidney failure | 1–7 days |
| Salmonella | Class I | Illness in humans; GI distress in dogs | 12–72 hours |
| Pentobarbital | Class I | CNS depression, death | Hours |
| Listeria | Class I–II | Risk primarily to humans, immunocompromised pets | 1–10 days |
| Foreign material (metal) | Class I–II | Internal injury | Immediate to hours |
| Foreign material (plastic/rubber) | Class II–III | Choking, GI blockage | Variable |
If the recall affecting your dog's food is Class I, treat it as an emergency: stop feeding immediately and call your vet the same day even if your dog shows no symptoms yet. Some toxins — particularly aflatoxin — cause cumulative liver damage that won't manifest visibly until the dog is in serious distress.
Recall frequency alone does not define brand quality. A company that sells 10 million bags of kibble annually will statistically appear in more recall notices than a boutique brand producing 50,000 bags — even if both have identical quality control failure rates. Volume is the confounding variable most pet owners overlook when reading recall histories.
That said, patterns within a single brand's history do matter. Multiple recalls for the same root cause — repeated Salmonella positives at the same facility, for example — suggest a systemic process failure rather than an isolated incident. One recall responded to with transparent communication, full lot withdrawal, and a consumer refund program is fundamentally different from a slow, minimalist response affecting the same number of bags.
| Brand | Notable Recall Years | Primary Causes | Affected Product Types |
|-------|---------------------|----------------|----------------------|
| Midwestern Pet Foods (Sportmix) | 2020–2021 | Aflatoxin (linked to 70+ dog deaths) | Dry kibble |
| Hill's Pet Nutrition | 2019 | Vitamin D toxicity | Canned food |
| Blue Buffalo | 2017, 2024 | Salmonella, elevated nutrients | Wet food, treats |
| Purina | 2013, 2016 | Salmonella | Dry food, treats |
| Evangers | 2017 | Pentobarbital | Canned wet food |
| Bravo Pet Foods | 2015, 2022 | Salmonella, Listeria | Raw food |
When checking recalls by brand, pay attention to recall class, the manufacturer's response timeline, and whether the same facility appears repeatedly. RecallTracker tracks {{RECALL_COUNT}} recalls across {{AGENCY_COUNT}} agencies, including the FDA's full pet food enforcement history, so you can view a brand's complete record in one place.
Several major pet food brands have faced significant recalls in recent years. This is not necessarily a reflection of overall quality — larger brands produce more product and therefore may have more frequent recalls simply by volume — but it is worth understanding the history when evaluating products.
Notable recall events have affected brands including Purina, Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Sportmix (Midwestern Pet Foods), and numerous smaller raw food brands. The Sportmix aflatoxin recall in 2020-2021 was particularly severe and was linked to dozens of dog deaths across multiple states.
When evaluating a brand, consider checking whether they have had recalls and, importantly, how they handled them — transparent communication, swift action, and consumer compensation are positive indicators.
If you discover that food your dog has recently eaten has been recalled:
Beyond monitoring recalls, these habits help protect your dog from food-related illness:
The FDA issues pet food recall notices fairly regularly — often multiple times per year. In active recall years, the number can be much higher. The FDA currently tracks {{FDA_COUNT}} total recalls across all product categories, and pet food represents a meaningful share of that volume. Salmonella recalls tend to be the most frequent, followed by contamination with foreign materials and formulation errors. Subscribing to FDA alerts or using our recall tracker is the most reliable way to stay current.
Raw dog food carries a higher risk of bacterial contamination — particularly Salmonella and Listeria — than commercially processed kibble, which is cooked at temperatures that kill most pathogens. Raw food advocates argue that the nutritional benefits outweigh the risks, but the FDA and many veterinary organizations caution against raw diets due to the contamination risk to both pets and the humans who handle the food. If you feed raw, strict hygiene practices and regular recall monitoring are essential.
Yes. Salmonella and Listeria from recalled pet food have been definitively linked to human illness in multiple outbreak investigations. People become infected by handling contaminated food and then touching their mouths, or by contact with a pet's feces, food bowl, or feeding area. Children are especially vulnerable. This is why Salmonella dog food recalls are classified as human health risks as well as pet health risks.
If your dog becomes ill as a result of consuming recalled food, you may be entitled to reimbursement for veterinary costs in addition to a refund or replacement for the recalled product. Document everything — veterinary records, receipts, the recalled product packaging — and contact the manufacturer's recall hotline. If the manufacturer is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the FDA and consult a consumer protection attorney about your options.
Most dog food recalls remain active until the manufacturer has retrieved or destroyed all affected product lots and the FDA has verified the corrective action. That process typically takes weeks to several months. A recall is considered closed once the FDA posts a termination notice — but termination means the recall action is complete, not that previous lots are safe to use. Any product with a recalled lot number should never be fed, regardless of whether the recall is technically closed. Check recall statistics to see current activity levels across all food safety agencies, and verify specific lot numbers against the original recall notice before feeding any product you purchased before a recall was announced.
Pet food recalls can happen at any time, from any brand. RecallTracker's database covers multiple recalls from {{AGENCY_COUNT}} government agencies across {{COUNTRY_COUNT}} countries — including every FDA pet food recall action in our records. The best protection is staying informed. Bookmark our recall database and use our search tool to check any product before you buy. You can also scan a product barcode at the store to instantly verify whether a specific bag or can has been flagged. Your dog depends on you to be their advocate — and that starts with knowing what is in their bowl.
For more on understanding how food recalls work across all product categories, see our guide on understanding food recalls.
Below you'll find concrete steps to reduce risk and a comparison of common product types so you can make safer choices at purchase and at home. Follow the checklist every time you buy or open a new product: verify the lot number, scan the barcode with our scanner, store correctly, and rotate stock so packages are used within a few weeks of opening.
| Product Type | Typical Safety Risks | Common Recall Causes | Practical Steps
|---|---:|---|---
| Dry kibble | Mold/mycotoxins, foreign material | Contaminated grain, equipment wear | Check lot/best-by, store in sealed containers, avoid humid areas
| Canned wet food | Formulation errors (vitamin/mineral), bacterial contamination | Premix errors, processing failure | Inspect seals, keep refrigerated after opening, verify lot online
| Raw/frozen diets | Salmonella, Listeria | Ingredient contamination, improper handling | Use strict hygiene, quarantine kitchen surfaces, prefer suppliers with testing
| Treats & chews | Foreign objects, chemical contaminants | Poor sourcing, inadequate screening | Buy limited-ingredient treats, check small-batch test results
Practical safety notes:
Track trends: review `/statistics` to see how frequently different product types appear in recall data and use those insights to inform brand and formula choices.
Use the barcode scanner at `/scan` while in the store or at home to compare the UPC and lot number against active notices; if you prefer manual lookup, enter the brand and lot at `/brands`. If the item matches, set it aside, do not feed it, and follow the manufacturer’s recall instructions for refund or disposal; report any illness to FDA via their reporting portal. RecallTracker currently indexes {{RECALL_COUNT}} recall records across product types—use the scanner to compare quickly. Remember to keep the packaging so you can provide lot and purchase details.
Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, excessive thirst or urination, and jaundice for aflatoxin exposure; Salmonella infections may also cause fever and bloody stool. If you observe these signs after feeding a suspect product, contact your veterinarian immediately and bring the product packaging and lot numbers; you can also log the incident with RecallTracker and the FDA to aid investigations.
Yes—pet food recalls are primarily handled by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, but some physical hazards may involve other agencies; our records show {{FDA_COUNT}} FDA recalls and {{CPSC_COUNT}} entries where CPSC involvement was noted across product categories. Check `/statistics` on RecallTracker for the latest breakdowns by agency and product type to understand which regulators are active in your region.
Yes—create an account and opt into alerts for specific brands and product types so you receive push notifications when a matched recall occurs; you can also scan items at `/scan` for one-off checks. Premium users can set multi-alert preferences and faster push notification delivery; see `/pricing` for Premium features and subscription options.
A single recall does not always mean a brand is unsafe long-term, but repeated recalls are a red flag—use `/brands` to review a brand’s recall history and `/statistics` to compare frequency by product type. Prioritize products with transparent sourcing, third-party testing, clear lot control, and low rates of serious hazards; if you decide to change, transition food gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
Safe handling and correct storage reduce the chance that a product will become unsafe after purchase. The short table below compares common dog food formats and gives clear handling steps you can apply at home or in the store.
| Product Type | Typical Risk Level | Primary Hazards | Storage & Handling Recommendation | When to Discard |
|---|---:|---|---|---|
| Kibble (dry) | Low–Medium | Mycotoxins (aflatoxin), cross-contamination, stale rancidity | Keep in original bag folded closed inside a sealed, opaque container at cool, dry temps; check best-by and lot number before buying; use within 6 months of manufacture when possible. | If smell is off, evidence of mold, or lot is on a recall, discard immediately. |
| Canned (wet) | Low–Medium | Formula errors (vitamin D), contamination, bulging cans | Store unopened cans at room temperature away from heat; refrigerate opened cans and use within 3–5 days. | Discard swollen or leaking cans and any opened can past 5 days. |
| Commercial Raw | Medium–High | Salmonella, Listeria, cross-contamination | Keep frozen until use; thaw in refrigerator, not on the counter; prepare on washable surfaces and sanitize all utensils. | Use within 24–48 hours of thawing; discard if temperature abuse occurred. |
| Treats & Chews | Low–High (varies) | Salmonella, foreign objects, choking hazards | Check ingredient source and lot number; avoid brittle or moldy treats; supervise chew use. | Discard if broken, moldy, or listed in a recall. |
| Supplements / Powders | Low–Medium | Over- or under-dosing, contamination | Store sealed, dry, and cool; follow manufacturer dosing exactly; avoid combining similar supplements without vet approval. | Respect printed expiration date; discard after expiry or recall notice. |
Data from recall monitoring shows recurrent patterns: Salmonella and formulation errors account for a large share of pet food actions recorded in our database, and {{RECALL_COUNT}} pet food-related entries illustrate how hazards vary by product type. Before buying larger quantities, scan the barcode with RecallTracker's `/scan` tool and use `/brands` to view a manufacturer's recall history; consult `/statistics` to see whether particular hazards (e.g., Salmonella or aflatoxin) have trended up in recent months. Small changes in storage—keeping kibble dry, refrigerating opened wet food, and strict handling of raw diets—are simple, high-impact steps that reduce risk at home.
Use the lot number and best-by date printed on the package and run a lookup with RecallTracker's barcode scanner at `/scan`; if you don't have the product with you, search the brand or product name at `/brands`. If the lot matches a recall, stop feeding the product, save the packaging, and follow the manufacturer's recall remedy instructions.
Salmonella and mycotoxins (like aflatoxin) are among the leading causes, with formulation errors such as excess vitamin D also appearing in recall reports; our sources show {{FDA_COUNT}} agency actions and {{CPSC_COUNT}} consumer-safety entries that include these hazards. Check `/statistics` on RecallTracker to see agency-level trends and the relative frequency of each hazard type.
Stop feeding the recalled product immediately, keep the packaging (lot number and best-by), and call your veterinarian to describe exposure and symptoms; if advised, bring your dog in for examination and possible bloodwork. Contact the manufacturer for refund or reimbursement instructions and file a report with the FDA to help public health tracking.
Many manufacturers offer refunds or replacements for recalled products and may reimburse documented veterinary expenses on a case-by-case basis; save receipts, medical records, and the original packaging to support your claim. If the manufacturer is unresponsive, file a complaint with the FDA and consider contacting a consumer protection attorney for unresolved large claims; Premium users can find faster recall alerts at `/pricing`.
Store food as recommended above, rotate stock to avoid long storage, and diversify brands or formulas so a single recall doesn't remove an entire diet option; scan products with `/scan` at purchase and check `/brands` for a company's recall history. Monitor broader trends via `/statistics` and consider premium alerting if you want instant notifications for specific brands or lot numbers.