You’re sitting in your easy chair watching the news when suddenly you see your brand of dog food flashed across the screen with the ugly words “RECALL” under it.
You immediately look to see if the dog still looks healthy and even if things appear to be fine, the worry and dread instantly set in.
Take the following steps if your dog food is involved in a recall
Step 1.
If your dog food is ever recalled, the first thing you need to do is check your packaging. If you don’t store your dog food in the packaging it came it, saving the packaging is a good idea. If you didn’t receive all the recall information you need, the best source for information will be the manufacturer or the Food and Drug Administration site where recalls are announced (fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm) or you may call the FDA at (888) 463-6332.
You will need the brand, variety, package size, and lot numbers to determine if your package of food is included in the recall.
Step 2.
Immediately stop feeding the dog food if it has been recalled but DO NOT throw away the leftover food or packaging. If the recall is for a very serious concern and your food is not included in the recall but came from the same manufacturing plant, you may want to hold off feeding the food to ensure the recall is not expanded.
Step 3.
Evaluate your dog’s health. If your dog seems totally normal and the recall is due to something relatively minor, even salmonella, you are probably in the clear. However, if the recall is due to something very serious, such as aflatoxin (a toxin produced by fungus) or a dangerous excess of a potentially toxic nutrient, such as vitamin D or copper, schedule a veterinary examination, especially if your dog has had any changes in behavior or health status.
Step 4.
Contact the food manufacturer even if your dog is not ill to determine how to receive compensation for the recalled food or what steps to take if you pet is ill. Expect to provide them with your personal information, such as name, address, phone number, email address, etc. They may even ask that you mail them a sample of the food, which you should do but never return all the food and keep the original packaging.
Step 5.
If your dog became ill from eating the food, report the illness to the manufacturer even if they refuse to take responsibility. Follow up and report the illness to the FDA. You can get a form for this purpose from: safetyreporting.hhs.gov.
Keep accurate and detailed records of your dog’s medical condition, including veterinary receipts.
Keep the pet food, packing bag, and the receipt (if you have it). Send copies to the FDA if requested but never send your originals.
Stay in constant contact with the pet food company until you have been reimbursed for the food and for any vet bills you’ve had to pay.
Step 6.
If you have to quickly change your dog’s diet due to a recall, you can make the transition easier on your dog’s stomach by choosing a new food that has ingredients that resemble the recalled food. Carefully read the ingredient list and try to match up the first few ingredients. Whenever possible, keep the guaranteed analysis as close as possible to the recalled food and avoid big changes in the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG FOOD IS RECALLED IN 6 STEPS
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Article Berger Allemand
