Back in December the FDA announced a list of dry dog foods being recalled due to potentially toxic levels of Vitamin D. The agency has since expanded that list with more brands.
None of the brands that we carry in our store are affected by this recall. The brands listed are ones that you would find in grocery stores or big box stores such as Costco, Meijer, etc. These issues often happen as a result of these obscure brands being made and sourced by another company. Essentially, it’s kind of all the same stuff but with a different package.
These value brands don’t have their own facility and quality of ingredients and manufacturing is usually lacking. The best way to avoid these issues is to feed foods and treats from companies that are transparent and focused on actual nutrition. These companies usually own their own manufacturing facility. If they do use a co-packer, these higher quality companies will still handle all formulating and sourcing themselves; and oversee production and quality control themselves.
From the FDA website:
What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity?
Excess vitamin D in the diet can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. Vitamin D at toxic levels can cause kidney failure and death. Pet owners whose dogs have been eating the recalled brands and are showing these symptoms should contact their veterinarians.
What Should You Do?
If you’ve been feeding these brands, we recommend that you stop immediately and switch to a more reputable brand. We can certainly help with that. In any case, please share this information to friends and family that may be using these products or buying grocery store dog food. The investigation is ongoing and more brands could be added to the list.
Read the full FDA statement here – FDA Alerts Pet Owners about Potentially Toxic Levels of Vitamin D in Several Dry Pet Foods
