How do I know if my dog or cat food has been recalled?

Check the FDA's pet food recall page at fda.gov, sign up for recall alerts, or use PetFood.bot's recall tracker which is updated monthly. Always check the lot number and best-by date on your bag against the recall notice.

What causes pet food recalls?

Common causes include Salmonella or Listeria contamination, elevated vitamin D levels (toxic to pets), aflatoxin mold contamination, elevated levels of heavy metals, and packaging or labeling errors.

What should I do if my pet's food is recalled?

Stop feeding the recalled food immediately. Dispose of it safely or return it to the store for a refund. Monitor your pet for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows any signs of illness.

Updated Monthly · FDA Data

Pet Food Recall Tracker
2024

All dog and cat food recalls sourced directly from FDA data. Check your brand before every purchase.

Check Brand Safety Scores →

⚠️ How to Use This Page

This page lists brands with recent or historical recalls. A recall history doesn't mean a brand is unsafe today — it means you should check lot numbers and dates. Always verify against the FDA's official recall page.

2024 Pet Food Recalls (Year-to-Date)

The following recalls have been announced in 2024. Always check the specific lot numbers and UPC codes in the official recall notice — not every bag of a brand is always affected.

Brand / Product	Date	Reason	Species	Status
Sunshine Mills Multiple dry dog food lines	Mar 2024	Elevated Vitamin D	Dog	Active
Darwin's Natural Pet Products Raw duck & turkey	Feb 2024	Salmonella	Dog & Cat	Active
Northwest Naturals Raw frozen chicken	Jan 2024	Listeria	Dog & Cat	Resolved

Brands With the Cleanest Recall Records (5 Years)

These brands have had zero FDA recalls in the past five years and consistently score well on our ingredient quality metrics:

🐶 Dog Food – Clean Record

Orijen (Champion Petfoods)
Acana
Merrick
Canidae Pure
Nulo Freestyle
Zignature

🐱 Cat Food – Clean Record

Weruva
Tiki Cat
Ziwi Peak
Feline Natural
Instinct Raw
Smalls Fresh Cat Food

Historical Recalls by Major Brand (2019–2024)

Brand	Total Recalls	Most Recent	Primary Reason	Safety Score
Purina (all lines)	3	2021	Salmonella	Good
Hill's Science Diet	2	2019	Elevated Vitamin D	Good
Blue Buffalo	3	2022	Elevated Calcium	Watch
Nutrisource	1	2020	Salmonella	Good
Evanger's	4	2023	Pentobarbital	Avoid
Sportmix/Sunshine Mills	5	2024	Aflatoxin / Vitamin D	Avoid

Common Recall Reasons — What They Mean

Salmonella Contamination

Salmonella can be present in raw or poorly processed pet food. It poses risks not just to pets but to humans handling the food — especially children and immunocompromised adults. Salmonella contamination is the most common recall trigger.

Elevated Vitamin D (Hypervitaminosis D)

Too much vitamin D causes hypercalcemia in pets, leading to kidney failure, vomiting, and lethargy. This has been a recurring problem in several brands. Symptoms can appear within days of exposure.

Aflatoxin (Mold Toxins)

Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus mold and can contaminate corn and other grains. Even small amounts can cause liver failure. The 2020–2021 Sportmix recall (linked to 110+ dog deaths) was caused by aflatoxin.

Listeria

Commonly associated with raw pet food products. Listeria can contaminate humans who handle recalled food. Raw feeding carries an inherently higher risk of bacterial contamination.

Pentobarbital

This euthanasia drug has been found in some pet foods containing "meat by-products" from rendered animals. It indicates contaminated source material — a serious red flag about a manufacturer's sourcing practices.

What To Do If Your Pet's Food is Recalled

Stop feeding immediately — even if your pet seems fine. Some effects are cumulative.
Check the lot number on the package against the recall notice (not all lots are always affected).
Return to the retailer for a full refund, even without a receipt in most cases.
Watch for symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, or jaundice in your pet.
Call your vet if your pet has been eating recalled food for more than a few days.
Report to FDA via the Safety Reporting Portal at safetyreporting.hhs.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign up for pet food recall alerts?

Sign up at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts for email alerts. You can also follow the FDA's @US_FDA Twitter account. PetFood.bot flags brands with active recalls on every price comparison page.

Is raw pet food safer or more dangerous?

Raw pet food carries significantly higher risk of Salmonella and Listeria contamination. The FDA, CDC, and most veterinary organizations advise against raw pet food, especially in homes with young children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised people.

Can I get a refund on recalled pet food?

Yes. Most major retailers (Chewy, PetSmart, Walmart, Costco) will refund recalled pet food with or without a receipt. Contact the brand directly — most manufacturers offer direct refunds or replacements as well.

See real-time safety scores before you buy

Every brand on PetFood.bot shows a safety score based on recall history, ingredient quality, and manufacturer transparency.