Any food can be recalled, whether it's kibble, canned food, treats or fresh refrigerated meals. Recalls happen for many reasons, including possible contamination, nutrient levels outside the intended range, foreign material or labeling errors. Most owners never need to act on one, but knowing where to look and how to check your own food makes the moment much less stressful if it happens.
This guide explains how recalls are announced, how to match a notice to the food you actually have, and what to do next. It's general information, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog is unwell after eating a recalled food, contact your vet right away.
Where recall notices are published
In the United States, pet food recalls are commonly announced through several channels:
- The FDA's recalls page. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration publishes company announcements of recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts, including those for animal food. You can search or filter for pet food.
- The brand itself. Companies usually post recall information on their website and may email or contact affected customers. Subscription brands often have your delivery records, which can make it easier for them to reach you.
- Retailers. Stores and online retailers may notify customers who bought an affected product.
- Veterinarians and news outlets. Large recalls are often reported widely, but secondhand reports can be incomplete or out of date. Always check the official notice.
Outside the U.S., other regulators publish recall information for their regions. Look for your country's food safety or agriculture authority.
Signing up for alerts
The FDA and some brands offer email updates. If you feed a fresh food subscription, make sure your account email is current and that messages from the brand aren't going to spam. Some owners also set a reminder to glance at the FDA recalls list occasionally.
How to tell whether your food is affected
A recall rarely covers every product a brand makes. Notices usually specify exactly which products are involved, using details such as:
- Product name and recipe, including the size or pack type.
- Lot code or batch number, which identifies a specific production run.
- Best-by, use-by or production dates.
- UPC or product codes.
- Where and when the product was sold or shipped.
Compare those details with the packaging in your home. On fresh food packs, lot information and dates are usually printed on the pack or on the outer box. Kibble bags often print them near the top or bottom seam. If you can't find a code, contact the brand.
Why it helps to keep packaging information
Once a bag is empty or a box is recycled, the lot details go with it. Some simple habits help:
- Photograph the lot code and date when a new bag or box arrives.
- Keep the top of a kibble bag or the label strip until the food is used up.
- Store food in its original packaging inside a container, rather than pouring it out and throwing the bag away.
- Keep order confirmations for subscription deliveries, which show what was sent and when.
Our guide to storing and serving fresh dog food covers storage habits that also keep this information handy.
What to do if your food is recalled
If your food matches a recall notice:
- Stop feeding it. Set the food aside where your dog and other pets can't reach it.
- Read the notice carefully for instructions. It will usually say whether to throw the food away or return it, and how to get a refund or replacement.
- Follow safe handling advice. Some recalls involve bacteria that can also affect people. Wash your hands, bowls, scoops and storage containers, and clean surfaces the food touched, as the notice or FDA guidance recommends.
- Contact your vet if your dog has eaten the food and shows any signs of illness, or if you're unsure. Bring the packaging or a photo of the label. The notice may list symptoms associated with the issue.
- Contact the brand using the details in the notice for refunds, replacements or questions.
- Plan a replacement food. A sudden switch can upset your dog's stomach. If you need to change foods quickly, ask your vet how to do it. Our food transition guide covers gradual switching when time allows.
Reporting a problem
If you think a pet food made your dog sick, and it isn't part of a known recall, you can report it. In the U.S., the FDA accepts reports of problems with pet food through its Safety Reporting Portal or through your state's FDA consumer complaint coordinators. Your vet can help with this, and the report is more useful if you have:
- The product name, lot code and dates.
- When your dog ate it and what happened.
- Your vet's records, if your dog was seen.
- Any remaining food and packaging, stored safely.
Contact the brand too. Companies generally want to know about possible problems with their products.
Recalls and fresh food subscriptions
Fresh food subscriptions have a few practical differences from store-bought food:
- The brand usually knows what it shipped to you, which can make notification faster. Make sure your contact details are current.
- Food may be in your freezer for weeks. When you hear about a recall, check the packs you have stored, not only the ones you're feeding now.
- Your next delivery may need attention. If a recipe is recalled, check with the brand whether your upcoming box is affected and whether you should pause or change it.
A recall doesn't automatically mean a brand is unsafe overall. It's reasonable to look at how a company communicates and what it says it's doing to prevent repeats, and to decide for yourself.
Common questions
How often should I check for recalls?
There's no set rule. Signing up for email alerts from the FDA and your brand means you'll usually hear about relevant recalls without checking manually.
Is a market withdrawal the same as a recall?
Not exactly. The FDA describes a market withdrawal as a firm removing or correcting a product for a minor issue that wouldn't be subject to legal action, while a recall addresses a product that violates the law. Either way, read the notice and follow its instructions.
Can I feed the food if my dog seems fine?
No. Stop feeding recalled food even if your dog seems well, and follow the notice's instructions. Some problems take time to show, and some, such as nutrient imbalances, may not cause obvious signs right away.
Should I tell my vet about a recall even if my dog isn't sick?
It's a good idea, especially if your dog ate the food for a while. Your vet can tell you whether to watch for anything or whether a checkup is worthwhile.
About this guide
Our guides explain how to read labels, plans and specs so you can make your own choice with your vet. We don’t make health claims, we haven’t hands-on tested products, and we don’t publish invented statistics or ratings. Product facts come from official brand pages. How we work.
Product images are illustrative stock photos, not the exact products listed. Photo credits