By the author of Be Ready for Anything and the online course Bloom Where You’re Planted
Recently, I wrote about a huge recall of dog food because it contained euthanasia drugs. Well, now there are even more recalls that affect numerous companies. Check to see if your pet’s food is on this list.
If you haven’t started making your own homemade dog food yet, it’s time you get started.
The last recall involved products from the JM Smucker company, and so does the current one. (Note to self: this is starting to look like a trend of carelessness with this company since this new recall is for an entirely different reason.)
This time around, there are products from numerous companies being recalled for a variety of reasons. Below, you can find out which companies and products are affected.
Milo’s Kitchen Dog Food Recalls
According to the FDA website:
The J.M. Smucker Company today announced a limited, voluntary recall of specific lots of two varieties of Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, distributed nationally, because the products potentially contain elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone…
Dogs consuming high levels of beef thyroid hormone may exhibit symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness. These symptoms may resolve when the consumption of these levels is discontinued. However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or labored breathing. Should these symptoms occur, we recommend pet owners contact their veterinarian immediately.
| Product Description | UPC Code | Product Size | Best If Used By Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milo’s Kitchen Steak Grillers / Steak Grillers Recipe with Angus Steak | 0 7910051822 7 0 7910051822 7 0 7910051823 4 0 7910052776 2 |
18 oz. bag 18 oz. bag 22 oz. bag 10 oz. bag |
11/15/2018 4/26/2019 4/26/2019 4/26/2019 |
| Milo’s Kitchen Grilled Burger Bites with Sweet Potato and Bacon | 0 7910052126 5 | 15 oz. bag | 11/19/2018 |
If you have this food, you should stop feeding it to your pets immediately. You can contact Smuckers for coupons or a full refund by calling 1-888-569-6767, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST or by emailing them using this form.
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Dog Food Recalls
This company produces both Natural Selections and ZooLogics brands. Both are raw foods that are sold via a subscription. They are contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli. Not only can these infections make your pet very ill, but they can also be transferred to humans with potentially deadly results. The FDA says:
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Specifically, E. coli O128 was identified in the contaminated raw turkey pet food product, and is among the most clinically relevant Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) in humans. E. coli O128 causes illness indistinguishable from E. coli O157:H7. The symptoms include diarrhea, often with bloody stools…
The pet food included in the recall is as follows:
• Natural Selections Chicken with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net wt. 2lbs., Lot #43887, manufacture date 1/30/2018
• Natural Selections Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net wt. 2lbs., Lot #44147, manufacture date 2/5/2018
• ZooLogics Chicken Meals with Organic Vegetables for Dogs, Net wt. 2lbs., Lot #44037, manufacture date 2/7/2018
• ZooLogics Turkey with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net wt. 2lbs., Lot #44127, manufacture date 2/4/2018
You should dispose of the food in the garbage and contact the company for replacement products via email at [email protected]
Blue Ridge Beef Dog Food Recalls
Blue Ridge Beef is recalling its “Complete” raw pet food due to salmonella and listeria contamination. This is particularly dangerous because even if the pets are not visibly affected, they can make their humans sick when they shed the bacteria. According to the FDA:
The affected product is sold in two-pound chubs that are frozen and are distinguished by the manufacturing codes:
BRB Complete
Lot# GA0131
Manufacturing date: 01/31/2018The packaging of the product and the location of the lot number is pictured below with the location of the clips on each end of the chub.
Those who have purchased the product can return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. You can contact the company at this email address: [email protected].
Here are some tips for feeding your dogs healthful food.
A raw diet for pets is controversial, but if you feed your pets a raw diet, there’s no need to purchase raw food from a company. These articles provide good advice for feeding your pets from the grocery store:
- The Beginners Guide to Feeding Raw
- 5 Mistakes People Make When Feeding Pets a Raw Food Diet
- Raw Feeding Primer: 10 Simple Rules To Get Started
If you want to make homemade, human-quality dog food, there is lots of advice on this too. Some, of course, also consider this to be unhealthy, so do your own research. Watch your dog carefully for signs of intolerance. We find that our dogs are thriving on it and that it is also less expensive than the high-quality kibble we had been feeding them.
- DIY Homemade Dog Food
- The Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes
- 20 healthy homemade dog food recipes your dog will love
We have opted for homemade because, much like our own food, we don’t feel like we can trust the companies out there who are making it with the highest profit margins in mind. It doesn’t take much time and our furbabies love it. And, I could never forgive myself if my need for convenience led to the death or illness of one of our beloved family members.
Thanks, very informative. We’ve been considering making our own dog food. I do want folks t know about feeding seafood to dogs. Please cook it! Salmon poisoning is a concern and it occurs with other kind of fish also.
With three Saint Bernards, I can’t afford to both feed raw and feed humans. My boys do get damaged veggies and fruits, as well as occasional leftover oatmeal.
This and other health reasons are why today it is safer to feed a raw or home cooked diet using all human-grade ingredients purchased from the grocery store or a meat co-op for raw feeders. Done CORRECTLY (and I emphasize this because many people fail to learn the right way and then cause different health problems), these diets are far healthier, and there is never a risk of something like this.
Excellent articles! I have been wanting to find a healthier solution to my dog, Maggie’s nutritional needs. I feel empowered to start making some changes that will benefit her now. Thanks so much!
Your articles, particularly this one, need publishing date so later readers know how old it is.
FYI
The publishing date is at the top, on the image. I’m sorry if it wasn’t immediately evident.
Thank you ,since all the recalls I’ve started making my own dog food and know my good friend is safe I recommend making your own dog food
Also .dog food company’s n=d to feel the financial pinch and then maybe we can trust there food again.