Key Takeaways:
- Most dog food recalls are voluntary and issued by manufacturers, the FDA, or state regulators.
- Recalls are usually for contamination (Salmonella, Listeria), foreign material, or nutrient imbalances.
- To check, match your food’s brand, UPC, and lot number against official FDA (Recalls & Withdrawals; Outbreaks & Advisories) and AVMA listings; recalls usually affect specific lots, not whole product lines.
- If your food is recalled: Stop feeding it, verify the lot number, sanitize bowls, contact the retailer or manufacturer, and monitor your dog for symptoms.
- Judge a brand’s safety by an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, clearly named ingredients, contaminant testing, and a solid recall-handling track record.
Understanding dog food recalls
Dog food recalls are issued by manufacturers, the FDA, or state regulators, usually because of contamination (such as Salmonella or Listeria), foreign material, or a nutritional imbalance. You can check whether a food has been affected through the FDA’s official recall listings or trusted veterinary sources.
Below, we’ll explain how recalls work, where to check, what to do if your food is affected, and how to judge whether a brand is safe.
In This Guide:
- How do dog food recalls work?
- How can I find out if my dog’s food has been recalled?
- What should I do if my dog’s food is recalled?
- How do I know if a dog food brand is safe?
- Staying informed and confident about your dog’s food
- FAQs
How do dog food recalls work?
A dog food recall is the process of removing a product from the market when there’s a concern it could be unsafe or isn’t what its label claims. Most recalls are voluntary and issued by the manufacturer itself, though the FDA can request one or, in some cases, order it. They exist to protect pets, and the system is designed to move quickly.
What causes a dog food recall?
Most recalls trace back to a handful of causes:
- Bacterial contamination — such as Salmonella or Listeria, which can affect both pets and the people handling the food.
- Foreign material — pieces of metal, plastic, or other objects that don’t belong in the food.
- Chemical or nutrient imbalances — too much or too little of a vitamin or mineral, or elevated levels of a contaminant.
- Mislabeling — incorrect ingredient or allergen information on the packaging.
When a recall is announced, a public notice tells owners to stop feeding the affected product and explains how to identify it—usually by brand, product name, and specific lot numbers or date codes. Owners are typically directed to return the product for a refund or dispose of it safely.
How can I find out if my dog’s food has been recalled?
To check whether your dog’s food has been recalled, compare the brand name, UPC (barcode), and lot number on your packaging against official recall listings. Recalls usually affect only specific lot numbers and date codes and not an entire product line, which is exactly why the lot number matters so much.
Where to check for a dog food recall
Have these three details ready:
- Brand name – the exact product and manufacturer
- UPC / barcode – identifies the specific product
- Lot number & date code – recalls usually affect only specific lots
Then check these official sources:
- FDA Recalls & Withdrawals – official federal recall listings
- FDA Outbreaks & Advisories – active safety alerts
- Your veterinarian or the AVMA – trusted professional confirmation
The most authoritative places to check are the FDA’s Recalls & Withdrawals listings for animal and veterinary products (the official federal record), the FDA’s Outbreaks & Advisories page (which tracks active safety investigations and alerts), and your veterinarian or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which maintains its own recall and safety-alert listings.
One simple habit makes all of this easier: When you buy a new bag or package, photograph the lot number and UPC with your phone. That way you can verify a recall later even if you’ve already discarded the original packaging.
What should I do if my dog’s food is recalled?
If your dog’s food is recalled, stop feeding it immediately and secure it where no other animal can reach it. From there, a clear order of operations helps:
- Stop feeding and secure the food. Seal it or set it aside so no pet can get to it.
- Verify the details. Check the lot number and date code on your packaging against the official recall notice; your specific bag may or may not be affected.
- Sanitize feeding gear. Wash bowls, scoops, and storage containers with hot, soapy water.
- Contact the retailer or manufacturer. They can explain how to get a refund or replacement.
- Monitor your dog. Watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, and contact your veterinarian if any of them appear.
Most dogs are fine if the food is stopped promptly, but don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have concerns. And if your pet became ill, report it to the FDA through its Safety Reporting Portal. These reports help the FDA identify patterns and protect other pets.
How do I know if a dog food brand is safe?
You can judge a dog food brand’s safety by looking for a few concrete signals: an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging, transparent and clearly named ingredients, evidence of quality and contaminant testing, and established safety and recall-handling protocols.
- AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. The first thing to look for (more on this below).
- Ingredient transparency. Clearly named ingredients—specific proteins and vegetables rather than vague catch-all terms—and a company that’s open about what’s in its food and where it’s made.
- Quality and contaminant testing. Reputable brands test ingredients and finished food for contaminants and nutritional consistency.
- Company safety protocols. A clear track record of how the company handles quality control and communicates when a recall does happen.
You can apply these checks to any brand on the shelf, which is what makes them useful.
What is an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement?
An AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is a line on the packaging confirming that a food is complete and balanced for a specific life stage, such as puppy (growth), adult (maintenance), or all life stages. Its presence is a baseline signal that the food meets established nutritional standards for that stage. It’s one of the simplest things to look for and one of the most informative.
Staying informed and confident about your dog’s food
Recalls can feel alarming, but they’re a sign the safety net is working. Most are voluntary, checking is simple, and knowing what to look for in a brand puts you in control. Keep the official sources bookmarked, photograph your lot numbers when you buy, and you’ll be well equipped to act quickly if you ever need to.
To see how our brand approaches food safety and recall transparency, read Our Commitment to You.
FAQs
Where can I check if a dog food has been recalled?
Check the FDA’s Recalls & Withdrawals and Outbreaks & Advisories pages, and confirm with your veterinarian or the AVMA’s recall listings. Compare your food’s brand, UPC, and lot number against the official notice, since recalls usually affect only specific lots rather than an entire product line.
Why do dog food recalls happen?
Most recalls are due to bacterial contamination (such as Salmonella or Listeria), foreign material, or nutritional imbalances. They’re usually issued voluntarily by the manufacturer, though the FDA can request or order one when needed.
Is my dog in danger if it ate recalled food?
Many dogs show no ill effects, especially if feeding stops promptly. Still, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, and contact your veterinarian if any of these appear. If your dog seems unwell in any way, a call to your vet is always worthwhile.
