Finding out that your dog’s food has been recalled is any dog owner’s nightmare. Even worse, the food could be recalled without you hearing about it, meaning you will unknowingly continue to feed your dog food that is possibly contaminated.
You can receive dog food recall alerts and stay informed of your dog’s food status in several ways, so you can have peace of mind knowing that the food that you’re giving your dog is safe and healthy for them.
Searching Websites
To find out if your dog’s food is recalled, you may have to do a bit of digging. By checking websites online, you can know which foods are being recalled at the moment.
Your dog food’s website is the first place to start. You can also Google “dog food recall alerts” and see lists of currently recalled foods.
You can visit the FDA website for the most current information about pet foods. Other helpful sites are the American Veterinary Medical Association1, Petful, and AlphaPaw.
Sign Up for Alerts
You can sign up for email alerts at some of the websites that you find listing recall information. You will get an email whenever your dog’s food has a recall issued.
By following the FDA’s Twitter, you can get alerts whenever this account publishes a new post. Pet Food Recall will also alert you to recalls on a wide range of pet food products. Dog Food Advisor is another good source for recall alert emails. You may want to sign up for alerts from several sources so you’re sure to never miss an important message.
If you’d rather get text messages, you can sign up for those with Paw Diet. You text a toll-free number to enroll.
You can also download a food safety widget. This is an app on your phone that shows you the most recent and up-to-date information about dog food recalls. You can find the widget on the Food Safety website.
If Your Dog’s Food Is Recalled
Stop feeding your dog the food immediately. Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of being sick, do not continue giving them the food. Contact the manufacturer if you have questions about the recall.
If your dog has eaten recalled food, visit the vet. Even if they seem perfectly healthy, it’s best to have a vet check them out and make sure they haven’t been contaminated. Your vet may also have advice on how to keep your dog from becoming sick and what signs and symptoms to watch for during the following days.
You will have to watch your dog closely until the food is out of their system and they haven’t shown any signs of illness.
Return the recalled food to the store. Since the item is recalled, you will be issued a full refund. If you dispose of the food instead, be sure to keep it secure in the trash bin so no other animals, like wildlife, can reach it.
Clean and sanitize all your dog’s food and water bowls, food storage containers, scoops, and the area around their feeding station. If there are any traces of contamination, you want to make sure to clean everything thoroughly before letting your dog eat there again.
Conclusion
Dog food recalls are scary, but you can stay ahead of things by signing up for alerts and checking websites for recall information. When you know the food that you’re giving your dog is safe, you can have peace of mind. If your dog’s food is recalled, you’ll be able to stop feeding it to them as soon as possible with access to text alerts and emails. Visit or contact your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s health after they’ve eaten recalled food.
Featured Image Credit: Caftor, Shutterstock
