In early January 2024, reports of sick pets and deaths of pets began mounting, initially linked to various Purina pet foods but multiple brands have since been added to a suspect list. Purina swiftly tried to silence the voices of pet owners in mainstream media labeling the sick and dead pet reports as “rumors” and “false statements”.
But pet owners were not deterred by Purina’s harsh words, they kept reporting their pet illness or death to regulatory authorities.
And then pet owners experienced some harsh words directly from regulatory. Authorities from two different states – when collecting a sample of suspect pet food from pet owners – told pet owners “you don’t have a chance” to prove their pet’s illness or death was linked to the pet food.
But again, pet owners were not stopped by rude regulatory authorities (apparently defending Purina’s ‘rumor’ claim). They kept reporting their pet’s illness or death to regulatory.
And now – even though the FDA has not updated anyone to how many adverse event reports the agency has received linked to this current/ongoing issue – we are seeing a shift in Purina’s and regulatory attitude.
Purina has been silent for about 4 weeks. No more claims of “rumors”, only silence.
And based on what we are hearing from pet owners, regulatory is being respectful and collecting pet food samples from pet owners all across the country. Multiple state authorities have shared with pet owners their state has received many complaints in a short time frame and that their state agency is investigating. We have learned that FDA is speaking directly to many pet owners after they file an adverse event report.
This investigation IS happening because pet owners did not give up. So many of you did the right thing by reporting the illness or death to regulatory officials. YOU pushed this issue into an investigation. Thanks to each and every one of you that went through the (sometimes challenging) process of completing an adverse event report.
As we wait for regulatory to investigate this pet food issue, the amazing folks at the Facebook group Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time continue to document more and more reports of sick pets. Today (2/14/24) a veterinary clinic in Wisconsin shared they have “over 26 dog owners reports” over the past month.
A huge thank you to all who manage and contribute to this Facebook group. Your work has also forced regulatory to listen to pet owners and finally investigate this serious issue.
Unfortunately, now we wait for regulators to do their job. When something is learned, it will be promptly shared.
If your pet became ill or died you believe linked to a pet food, or becomes ill or dies you believe linked to a pet food, report the incident to FDA and to your state official. This current issue involves numerous manufacturers and numerous styles of pet food, it is significantly important for regulatory to receive all reports. Click Here for more information on how to report.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
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Stephanie Nortell
February 14, 2024 at 11:32 am
Hi, Is there another place where this information is posted for those of us who don’t use Facebook?
Thank you for all you do, Susan. Furbaby parents are deeply indebted to you.
Stephanie
Susan Thixton
February 14, 2024 at 11:34 am
The Facebook group is the only group to my knowledge that has been tracking this issue. Sorry.
Patti
February 24, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Is it cat food too?
Valree Thomas-Brown
February 29, 2024 at 7:41 am
My cat, “Gato,”was a very picky eater, now I know why he was so picky. I started to cook chicken, ground beef and turkey. His health improved, but not enought.
He was about 15Y/O when I decided to put him to sleep.
Peg
February 14, 2024 at 11:20 pm
Hi Stephanie, Anyone can access the Facebook group. You din’t have to be a FB member. I’m not, but I can read what’s posted. Heartbreaking.
Patti molero
February 20, 2024 at 8:45 pm
Thank you 😊
Jen
February 24, 2024 at 6:48 pm
You can view many in the review sections of these foods on sites such as Chewy and other pet supplies sources. For the food I stopped using ot is about half & half …although I did not read them all.
J Wolf
March 24, 2024 at 3:23 am
Omgoodness. My dog was one of Purinas VICTIMS in 2007, when Purina was buying tainted meat from China. It is DISGUSTING that this is happening yet again. Beware of Purina products. Since 2007 I’ve never given any of my pets Purina products. Btw…Purina makes Merrick Pet Food too. We need to boycott Purina!!! This seems to happen about every 7 years with them. Idk the correlation, but just my observation. Plz save your pets!!!
Phoebe
February 14, 2024 at 11:34 am
What are the other brands besides Purina?
Susan Thixton
February 14, 2024 at 11:55 am
From 2/2/24 the suspect list of brands include: 4 Health, Acana, Blue Buffalo, Fromm, Hill’s, Instinct, Kirkland, Merrick, Orijen, Organix, Pedigree, Primal, Pure Balance, Purina, Royal Canin, Stella & Chewy’s, Taste of the Wild. As well there are reports of both dry and wet pet foods.
Dianne & pets
February 14, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Darn, I feed stella & chewy’s. This begs the question of what ingredient do they all have in common? A single source supplier?
Gail Black
February 17, 2024 at 2:50 pm
Dr. Judy Morgan,
Mentioned on her YouTube page that it may be a supply problem. She is testing various foods but if you don’t know what to test for it takes time.
Jewell
February 15, 2024 at 6:53 pm
I was going to make a comment about a mix common to all but Organix was in the mix. I went to Organix and they have closed down. Either parent company of Merrick killed the Organix line or some other business decision. At least that what they is on the website. No reference to shutting down because of the current issues with pet food.
Susana Huntoon
February 18, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Purina bought merrick
Cedric Wilson
February 20, 2024 at 12:31 pm
I bought some cat food from family Dollar store for outdoor feral cats and none of them will touch it, I threw it out to the pigeons and they won’t eat it. How scary. Ashland farms choice mix.
Henry's mom
February 19, 2024 at 8:00 am
Darn, what does that leave?
Linda Carraway
February 19, 2024 at 7:14 pm
Homemade food
Maggie Fernandez
February 24, 2024 at 10:47 am
My dogs were eating Proplan. Terrible GI issues. I know someone feeding their heathly dog Proplan…died from GI issues. I stopped my autodelivery from Chewy and told them why. They kept sending me the food. Finally got them to stop. We need companies like Chewy has always been great bit so disaponted that they will not step up for our pets.
Patty Brazier
February 19, 2024 at 2:23 pm
My dog got sick back in Nov 2023 from Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Beef & Rice (38100-18053).
Temp of 104°, extremely lethargic. Urgent care exam; blood work, urinalysis..could find only a slight heart murmur!
Called Purina..customer service was helpful. Sent lot # of food, vet bill. I signed a settlement agreement and received a check for $520.72.
My dog is ok now. But has had 2 TPLO surgeries and I needed to feed her better food. No Purina for her!
Mona
February 19, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Purina/ Pedigree are two dog foods that has gotten my dog very ill. THANK GOD!! Shes alive! Tractor supply carried the dog food and continues to sell these brands. No compensation for pain and suffering they were in sympathetic at all. They jus wanted me to purchase food it’s all about money
Monica Benard
February 27, 2024 at 8:50 am
REALLY!!! Now wait?? Really??!!!!!! Are you working for Purina and the other pet food xos?? This is when you keep on going after them! Don’t sit back and wait! Is this article actually written for Purina? Telling people to wait so that maybe they forget the issue and drop it?? If we sit back and just wait there will be more excuses and put offs! The phrase, “Strike while the iron’s hot,” is meant for a reason just like tjis!
Inundate the authorities and Purina w email, post, letters (yes, snail mail), blogs, Facebook, Twitter with stories and inquires!!
Now is NOT the time to ease up on the pressure!!
Sarah
February 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I won’t use ANY Purina product (carefully check before buying any pet or livestock supplies because dishonest Purina likes to hide its sublabels as well as hiding online ingredient lists behind the excuse about how each state’s labeling laws are different and telling shoppers to go into every store in person to read labels. We should not have to spend hours online being diligent about what profit-over-pets (or livestock) might mean for our own four-legged families. But this is what happens when megacorporations rule our very lives. BTW take a look at the scandal over some of the poultry products targeted to backyard chicken flock families. Purina denies everything. But my personal experience determined otherwise.
Cee Are
March 5, 2024 at 2:41 am
There are two companies that pay to use the trademarked checkerboard logo, but they are not related in any way. Nestlé Purina PetCare is an American subsidiary of the Swiss corporation Nestlé, based in St. Louis, Missouri. It produces and markets pet food, treats, and cat and dog litter. Purina Mills, LLC is the farm animal feeds unit of Land O’ Lakes. It was previously part of Ralston Purina, until the U.S. animal feeds portion was first sold in 1986. Two separate companies, so be sure that you are targeting the right one.
Deb
February 14, 2024 at 12:48 pm
I am genuinely curious if anyone has substantiated/confirmed the comments regarding the veterinary clinic in Wisconsin. This is a VALID question.
The person who posted that information works at a Doggy DayCare which does not have veterinary staff.
Where did that information come from? The poster has not responded to questions.
I respect TAPF and have come to trust that TAPF does due diligence.
The current pet food concerns are not to be taken lightly, but we also should be sharing information that is confirmed factual. This particular post is suspicious.
Not sure why my original question was deleted.
Suzanne
February 14, 2024 at 1:35 pm
Thank you Susan, for keeping us up to date on everything. I appreciate you and all your hard work, too! ❤️
Tina
February 14, 2024 at 2:12 pm
How do people report issues with pet food in Canada?
Susan Thixton
February 15, 2024 at 9:35 am
If the pet food was manufactured in the US you can report to FDA. If the pet food was manufactured in Canada, you have no one to report the issue to. Canada has no regulatory body that oversees pet food.
Will Falconer, DVM
February 15, 2024 at 2:22 am
Susan, are state agencies independently investigating this? No central coordination? Seems like a meager victory and one that, unless made public, can still be buried if pressure comes to bear from Big Pet Food.
While somewhat encouraged, it would seem we lack muscle at this point, but please correct me if I’m viewing this wrongly.
Susan Thixton
February 15, 2024 at 9:32 am
The states have a private message board to share investigation details.
Cheryl Turner
February 16, 2024 at 6:30 am
I purchased Dec 15th received Dec 17th from Chewy. I still had some food from a bag I received the shelter (Purina One)so I didn’t start the new food till around Christmas. I noticed the diarrhea about a week later Jan 1st or so, but that’s hard to tell with clumping litter and he’s a great coverer. He had been to the vet on Dec 19th for his new adoption visit and he was perfect. Trying various things such as adding some rice to diet and diarrhea meds but nothing really worked. I then switched him to Iams Mon Feb 5th. His diarrhea stopped almost immediately. I took him off the Purina One on Fri Feb 2nd as soon as I read the article. Boots is about 1yr 4 Mon old. Here is their first response to me:
On Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 9:55 AM wrote:
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for contacting Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.
We are so very sorry to hear that your cat is experiencing diarrhea. Health and safety are our top priorities, and all of our products, including Purina ONE® – Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken – Natural with Added Vitamins, Minerals & Nutrients, are safe to feed and can be fed with complete confidence. Our products are formulated by professional pet
nutritionists and veterinarians and are produced under strict quality standards. You can learn more about these rumors, here: https://newscenter.purina.com/Purina-Response-to-Online-Rumors
We are at a loss as to why your cat is experiencing diarrhea and we encourage you to contact your trusted veterinarian in concern to your cat’s health. Please know there have been no changes in the formula, quality of ingredients, or method of manufacturing this product. As we care deeply about our consumers and their pets, we take all concerns of this nature seriously and would like to learn more about your experience. Please reply with the following information, if possible:
– The age of your cat
– How long your cat experienced diarrhea
– The date of purchase
We are keeping your cat in our thoughts and hope he is feeling better soon. Please let us know how we can reimburse you for this situation. Once we receive your response, we’ll be sure to get them in the mail right away.
Thank you again for reaching out and allowing us to help. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Zai
Senior Engagement Specialist
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
Ellen
February 19, 2024 at 5:26 am
Iams has started putting cellulose in kibble. Used to be a good company. I buy food without it and without menadione sulfate and corn. Very hard to find now even high quality expensive is tainted.
Diane Winters
February 15, 2024 at 10:54 am
Hello Susan, I live in Canada and have been feeding my 4 year old female the Instinct Raw Real beef recipe. Please, I would like to know where do I find info about that brand because I see it listed?
I appreciate all the helpful information you supply in your reports.
Susan Thixton
February 15, 2024 at 11:54 am
I would suggest reaching out to the Facebook group, they have documented all of the brands from consumer reports of pet illness.
Cynthia Butierez
February 19, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Hi my name is Cynthia I had a teacup chihuahua that had reaching me past from the same dog food and the vet was trying to figure out if he was poison well now we know it was a dog food we were feeding him I am so heartbroken cuz I had him for so long now it’s sudden he’s gone for somebody’s stupid mistakes
Gdoggie Stone
February 19, 2024 at 8:39 pm
Susan, I know that we’re all upset with the lack of response, or no response the FDA has given us. I have an idea that I feel may have merit in our fight with the pet food manufacturers, FDA and any other supposed oversight committees that are supposed to look out for us as humans and our pets.
I subscribe to a site: “ProPublica”, it’s a site that supports the truth and tells the lies. I’m pasting below some of the issues there making people become aware of. This site has forced the government to take action.
Why ProPublica Focuses on Issues You May Not See on Cable News
ProPublica’s mission statement encourages “using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.” Recently, that impact has been significant — and a bright spot in a dark media landscape.
by Stephen Engelberg
RECENT HEADLINES
The DOJ Is Working With a Wisconsin Sheriff to Improve How Deputies Communicate With People Who Don’t Speak English
Idaho Legislature Takes Up Bill to Help School Districts Repair and Replace Buildings
FDA Repeatedly Rejected Safety Claims Made by Philips After the CPAP Recall but Waited to Alert the Public, Emails Show
Mexican President López Obrador Called Our Story “Slander” and Our Reporter a “Pawn.” Here Are Some Facts.
“Friends of the Court” Wins Selden Ring Award for Investigative Reporting
Here’s a link to their site: https://link.propublica.org/click/34339865.21691/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHJvcHVibGljYS5vcmcvYXJ0aWNsZS9tZXhpY2FuLXByZXNpZGVudC1sb3Blei1vYnJhZG9yLWNhbGxlZC1vdXItc3Rvcnktc2xhbmRlci1hbmQtb3VyLXJlcG9ydGVyLWEtcGF3bi1oZXJlLWFyZS1zb21lLWZhY3RzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c2FpbHRocnUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZGFpbHluZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXJpdmVyLWxpbmtz/5f0cf9c49f2de35c3edc02feBb2def49b
Scott W
February 25, 2024 at 9:13 pm
Christmas morning of 2021, River, our American Staffordshire Terrier, who was at the time 9 months old woke us up at 2 in the morning whining and rattling the door on his kennel (Wish he would sleep you bed with us again Lin has did the first six months but that’s where he has a little oasis of he own) and we got up knowing it wasn’t like him to wake us up that time of night. I couldn’t even get the poor guy’s harness and leash off of the hook by the front door to take him out and he had horrible diarrhea 3 ft from the front doo and not just e little of it. He went back to sleep and had 3 or 4 more bouts of diarrhea that were less severe every time until it stopped early afternoon. Withheld his food for 24 hours, Purina one lamb and brown rice that he had been eating since he was 3 months old and never had a prior problem with. Fed him boiled chicken and white rice for a couple of days after after calling our vet
christmas morning and talking to him 24 hours and mixed a little of his kibble in with it for another 3 days. He had no problems with his dry kibble again for a couple of weeks and then it happened again. Stopped feeding him Purina period afterwards and I contracted Purina to see if they had changed the formula at all and told them what happened. “A very slight change” is all they would tell me and sent me a coupon for a free bag of Purina like I was going to use it inside of throwing it in the trash like I did. Every since then his stomach was very sensitive to any of the two other brands we tried. We’ve cooked his meals homemade since then. I’m convinced that Purina is the culprit for his sensitivity to any kibble since.
Staci
February 24, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I have been purchasing the brand of dog food that keeps getting reported but my dogs have been fine with no issues at all. This will be the fourth bag now since it has been reported and I have been keeping an eye on them but they are fine.
Cloria
February 28, 2024 at 9:35 am
Will there be a recall of all Purina pet food
Cloria Heard
February 28, 2024 at 9:37 am
Will there be a recall of all Purina pet food
Gdoggie Stone
March 5, 2024 at 5:27 pm
It’s not just the Purina label, what about private packaging labels, or labels Purina uses with the pretty “Healthy” pictures of dogs and cats on them. Who’s the supplier of Costco brand pet food products. You have to be super careful out there
doolittle
March 11, 2024 at 5:27 am
facebook not allowing me access to saving pets with out an account. we
need another website.
It is not just me they are blocking anyone without membership now.
Seriously, should be website open to public not facebook please!
Peg
March 11, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I can not access it now either. I don’t have or want a FB account.
Dianne & pets
March 12, 2024 at 3:54 am
Respectfully, perhaps you don’t realize the time, effort and money involved in creating a website and then maintaining it. There is no reason why you can’t create and run another website if you really want it. The Facebook group is not run by Susan, so you would have to take it up with them.
Timberly Pike
March 25, 2024 at 9:15 am
It is possible to create a FB account and use it ONLY for that one page. You get to choose what you want to see and do.
Dina
April 22, 2024 at 12:07 am
We need to spam the President and tell him his regulators are bought and paid for by the pet food industry! They are sickening and killing our pets! And no one is accountable. If there is a big enough movement they cant ignore it!