What to Do When Your Dog Food Has Been Recalled: 7 Useful Recommendations

You want your dog to have the best of everything, including dog food. Even if you’ve found the perfect food for them, one they love that is also nutritious, though, you may not be able to feed them that food forever, as pet food recalls can happen and make you wary of trusting a food or brand again. But what do you do when dog food has been recalled?

Several steps you need to take in this situation will help you and your pet. Here’s a look at what to do in this situation, why dog food gets recalled, and more.

The 7 Recommendations on What to Do When Your Dog Food Has Been Recalled

Here’s what to do when your dog’s food has been recalled.

1. Discontinue Use of the Food

Of course, the very first step you should take if your pup’s food has been recalled is to stop feeding it to your dog. As soon as you learn about the recall, stop feeding it to your pup. But don’t throw the bag of food out just yet!

2. Clean Your Pet’s Food and Water Bowls

Once you’ve discontinued using the dog food, give your pup’s food bowl a good scrub (and clean the water bowl out for good measure). Depending on why the dog food was recalled, bacteria could still be lingering in your pet’s bowls, which could make them ill. A good clean with hot, soapy water or a dishwasher should remedy any issues.

3. Return the Food

In most cases, you should be able to return any food that was recalled to the place of purchase and get a refund. Before you do this, though, take a sample of the food and keep it somewhere safe. You may need that later if you file a report with the FDA, as they may want to test the food your dog was eating. Take pictures of all the essential information on the bag for the FDA, as well. If, for some reason, you cannot return the food for a refund, dispose of the food in a way that ensures other animals can’t get into it to avoid upsetting the ecosystem of your neighborhood.

4. Consult a Veterinarian

Call your dog’s vet. Even if your pet isn’t showing any signs of illness, you should contact your vet and let them know your pet has eaten food that has been recalled and why that food was recalled. Once the vet is aware of the reasons for the recall, they can tell you whether you need to bring your dog in, keep an eye on them at home, or whether they’ll be perfectly fine.

5. Take Steps to Protect Your Family

This step won’t apply to all dog food recalls, but if your furry friend’s food was recalled for a reason like salmonella, then the salmonella may not only be in your dog’s food dish.

Depending on the type of food and where you dished it out, salmonella could end up on kitchen counters, feeding mats set beneath a dog’s food bowls, or the floor. To ensure your family’s safety, wash everything bacteria might have touched. And always wash your hands after dishing out your pet’s food, just to be safe!

6. File a Report

You don’t have to do this, but many people do (especially if their pet has become ill or died as a result of tainted dog food)—file a report with the FDA. You can do this by either contacting your state’s FDA consumer complaint coordinator or going online and filing a report. This is where the food sample and pictures of the bag may come in handy, as the FDA will want plenty of information about the tainted dog food.

7. Find a New Dog Food for Your Pup

Finally, find a new dog food your dog enjoys. This might take some time, but you can speed up the process by finding a food similar to the one recalled or asking your vet for suggestions. Just remember to take it slowly with any new food, as sudden dietary changes can upset a dog’s stomach.

Why Are Dog Foods Recalled?

Why are dog foods recalled in the first place? Dog food is recalled because it’s contaminated in some way. This may be bacterial contamination like salmonella, chemical compounds like melamine, or foreign materials such as plastic or metal.

One thing to know about ordered recalls is that they are used on products with the most significant issues, so pay special attention to those.

How Can I Learn About Recalls?

You may be thinking that you’ve rarely or never heard about a dog food recall. So, how can you stay up to date on the latest recalls?

While some recalls receive extensive media attention, not all do. That means the easiest way to ensure you always know what’s going on in the world of pet food recalls is to sign up to receive the FDA’s recall alerts. This way, you’ll always know as soon as a recall hits!

Final Thoughts

You want your favorite furry pal to enjoy only the best and safest products, but sometimes, products are recalled no matter how good they are. When a recall happens for dog food, you should immediately stop feeding the food to your pup. Then, consult your vet, file a report, make sure your home is safe, and return the food for a refund. If you want to stay in the know about dog food recalls, sign up to receive the FDA’s recall alerts!

Featured Image Credit: 279photo Studio, Shutterstock