When a pet food is returned to a retailer, often the reasoning for the return is the food made the pet sick. Why doesn’t FDA ask all pet product retailers to report these returns as pet food adverse events?
How many actual cases of sick pets believed to be directly related to pet food are reported to the FDA? More than likely, not nearly as many as should be. This information is so valuable, it could prevent another massive recall.
My Mom went to a local pet supply store this week (to buy corn for her swans and peacocks). While she was at the checkout counter she noticed a woman bringing IN a large bag of dog food; the woman was returning the bag of food stating it made her dogs very ill. Now my Mom – being a Mom – went into her marketing mode and shared with the woman a few things about pet food and directed her to visit my website. When Mom shared this story with me, though she was proud she sent me another unknowing pet parent – it made me think in a different way. My first question to Mom was did the pet store instruct the pet parent to report the sick dogs to the FDA? (No – they didn’t.) This incident made me realize this could be a powerful way for the FDA to gain very important information to perhaps prevent full scale pet food recalls.
So, since we know that the FDA follows this website, here’s a suggestion to you FDA…
Provide pet food retailers with the ability to report pet food returns such as this.
Provide veterinarians with the ability to report suspect pet food related illnesses and deaths.
Provide pet food retailers and veterinarians with literature to be given to pet parents. Something as simple as a business card with instructions on who to call or where on the internet to report a pet food adverse event.
Most pet parents do not know to report a pet illness or death – believed to be related to pet food – to the FDA. Most pet parents do not know to report a pet illness or death believed to be related to pet food to their State Department of Agriculture. But they should; each and every pet food related illness or death should be reported to both of these agencies. Pet food retailers and veterinarians could help get these issues reported. With a little bit of effort from the FDA and from each State Department of Agriculture (which the FDA could help initiate), we could perhaps prevent another full scale pet food recall.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 2500 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com
Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter? Click Here to subscribe
Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter
Become a Fan of Truth about Pet Food, Dinner PAWsible, Buyer Beware on Facebook
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
