The 20 Minutes That Could Hold Bad Pet Food Accountable

Pretend (but realistic) situation:

Twenty pet owners across one city all purchased the same brand of dog food on the same day. None of these pet owners know each other, they are not family or friends. Each of these twenty pet owners’ dogs got sick when they began to eat the newly purchased pet food. Most of the sick dogs required veterinary care, several died. 

A couple of the pet owners turned to social media, sharing their story of their sick dog. They shared with their friends and family what Brand X did to their beloved pet. A few of them reported the sick pet to the pet food manufacturer, a few called the pet store they purchased the food at. But…no one reported the sick pet to the FDA. 

Trouble is, this same scenario happened in nine more cities across the state. Now, within a week, there are 200 different sick dogs linked to the same dog food. Most of the dogs required veterinary care, several dogs died. Not one pet owner is aware there are many others going through the same thing at the same time linked to the same pet food they purchased.

Every single family involved is angry and hurt. They keep watching for a recall, knowing it should happen to prevent more pets from getting sick. But it doesn’t happen. No recall, no investigation. No accountability.

But what if the situation happened this way:

Each pet owner in each city reported their sick pets to FDA. Over a week the FDA sees a concerning pattern; 200 sick dogs with the same symptoms all consuming the same brand of dog food. Better yet, each veterinarian also files a report with FDA sharing the symptoms treated in dogs and stating the illness could be linked to a pet food. Now the FDA has solid information. They have 200 reports, 200 veterinary records. With this information the FDA will trace the suspect pet food to a manufacturing facility and perform an investigation. The problem is found, the pet food is recalled, and the pet food manufacturer is held accountable. Many pets are saved from dangerous pet food.

As unhappy as most pet owners are with the FDA…

The agency cannot investigate issues
they don’t know about. 

It is our responsibility as pet owners to provide the agency with detailed information when we believe a pet food or treat made our pet(s) sick. It is our responsibility to request our veterinarian file a suspect pet food illness report with FDA (or provide you with a medical statement to health conditions and treatment required including a statement a pet food could be the cause). 

If your pet gets sick you believe could be linked to a pet food or treat – AFTER veterinary care:

1. Report the illness to FDA. You can do that online here: https://www.safetyreporting.fda.gov/.
   • How to report instructions: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint.
   • According to the FDA, this will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, but could take longer if records are not readily available.
   • Frequently Asked Questions page: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/pet-food-safety-reporting-portal-frequently-asked-questions. 
2. Ask your veterinarian (if your pet was treated) to report the incident to FDA (same link above), make sure your veterinarian states in their report the illness could be an adverse food/treat event.
   OR ask your veterinarian to provide you with a medical report of the incident, treatment, and include a statement the illness could be an adverse food/treat event. Provide this veterinarian statement to FDA.
3. Report the illness to the pet food manufacturer. 

In just twenty minutes, you could alter the course of pet food safety. Twenty minutes has the potential to protect countless animals and save others from thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses. Twenty minutes represents the difference between holding companies accountable or allowing critical issues to be hidden.

Be prepared. A problem can happen with any pet food at any time. Save the lot number and best buy date of every product you provide your pet (food or treats) until you are certain there is no issue.

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Consumer Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food

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