How Pet Food Recalls Work and What You Need to Do

How recalls get your free guide and who announces them

A pet food recall begins when a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer discovers a problem — contamination, mislabeling, a foreign object, or a nutrient imbalance — and reports it to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The FDA does not order recalls; companies initiate them. Once reported, the FDA posts the recall on its website and issues a public notice, usually within days of the company's discovery.

The FDA's recall database is searchable by brand, product type, and date. You can check it directly at fda.gov/animalveterinary/recalls. Some recalls are announced through press releases and news outlets, but not all — smaller recalls or those affecting limited regions may only appear in the FDA database. Your veterinarian may also notify you if they know you use a recalled product.

Recalls are classified by severity. A Class I recall means the product could cause serious illness or death. A Class II recall means it could cause temporary illness or minor injury. A Class III recall means the product is unlikely to cause harm but violates labeling or manufacturing rules. The class determines how quickly the company must act and how widely the recall is publicized.

Key Takeaways

• The FDA posts all pet food recalls on fda.gov/animalveterinary/recalls, and you can search by brand or product name to check if something you own is affected.
• Recalls are initiated by the company that made or distributed the food, not ordered by the FDA, and the company decides how to notify customers.
• If your pet ate recalled food, contact your veterinarian with the product name, lot number, and date your pet consumed it so they can monitor for symptoms.
• You can return recalled food to the store where you bought it for a refund, even without a receipt, because the store can return it to the distributor.
• Sign up for FDA email alerts or check the recall database monthly if you feed your pet the same brands regularly.

What happens after a recall is announced

Once a recall is public, the company must notify retailers and distributors to pull the product from shelves. Large retailers like Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart usually remove recalled items within 24 to 48 hours. Smaller pet stores and independent retailers may take longer. The company is also required to notify customers, but the method varies — some send emails to registered buyers, some post notices in stores, and some rely on news coverage and the FDA database.

The company typically offers a refund or replacement. You can return the product to the store where you bought it, with or without a receipt. If you bought it online, the retailer will usually issue a refund once you confirm you have the recalled batch. The lot number or date code on the package determines whether your specific bag or can is part of the recall — not all products from a brand are always recalled, only certain production batches.

The FDA monitors how well companies execute recalls. If a company is slow to notify retailers or fails to remove product from shelves, the FDA can escalate enforcement, including public warnings or legal action. However, this is rare — most companies cooperate because a failed recall damages their reputation and exposes them to liability if a pet is harmed.

Finding the lot number and checking if your food is affected

The lot number, batch code, or date code is printed on the package — usually on the back or bottom of a bag, or on the lid or side of a can. It may look like "L123456" or "Best By 12/15/2024" or a combination of letters and numbers. When a recall is announced, the FDA notice lists the specific lot numbers or date ranges included in the recall. You must match your package's code to the recall notice to know if your food is affected.

Not all products from a recalled brand are unsafe — only the batches listed in the recall. If your lot number does not appear in the recall notice, your food was not part of that production run and is not affected. However, if you cannot find the lot number on your package, or if you have already opened and used the food, contact the manufacturer directly with the product name and purchase date. They can tell you whether your batch was recalled.

Keep the package or take a photo of the lot number before you throw it away. If your pet becomes ill and you suspect the food, your veterinarian will want to know the exact lot number to report it to the FDA and help trace the source of contamination.

What to do if your pet ate recalled food

If your pet consumed food from a recalled batch, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Bring the product name, lot number, and the date your pet ate it. Your veterinarian will ask about your pet's current symptoms — vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior — and may recommend monitoring at home or an examination depending on the recall class and your pet's age and health.

Most pets who eat recalled food do not become ill, especially if the recall is Class II or III. However, your veterinarian needs to know so they can watch for delayed symptoms and document the exposure in your pet's medical record. If your pet does become ill, tell your veterinarian about the recalled food immediately — it helps them diagnose the problem and treat it correctly.

You can also report the incident to the FDA directly through their Safety Reporting Portal at fda.gov/animalveterinary. Include your pet's species and age, the product name and lot number, the date of exposure, and any symptoms. This report helps the FDA track patterns and determine whether a recall needs to be expanded.

How to stay informed about recalls

The FDA offers email alerts for pet food recalls. You can sign up on fda.gov/animalveterinary/recalls to receive notifications when new recalls are posted. You can filter alerts by product type (dog food, cat food, treats, supplements) and receive them as often as you choose — daily, weekly, or as they happen.

If you feed your pet the same brand regularly, check the FDA recall database once a month. It takes less than five minutes and gives you peace of mind. You can also follow the FDA's social media accounts or your veterinarian's newsletter, as many practices share recall notices with their clients.

Some pet food manufacturers have their own recall notification systems. If you register your purchase on their website or app, they may notify you directly if a batch you bought is recalled. This is faster than waiting for the FDA database to update, though it is not required by law.

Understanding why recalls happen

Pet food recalls occur for several reasons. Contamination is the most serious — bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli can enter food during manufacturing or storage. Mold toxins (aflatoxins) can grow in grains if they are stored improperly. Foreign objects like plastic, glass, or metal can end up in the product by accident. Nutrient imbalances — too much or too little of a vitamin, mineral, or amino acid — can develop if a supplier sends the wrong ingredient or if a formula is mixed incorrectly.

Recalls also happen because of mislabeling. A bag labeled "chicken" might contain beef, which matters for pets with allergies. A product labeled as complete nutrition might be missing a required nutrient. These errors are usually caught during quality control, but sometimes they slip through and are discovered only after the product reaches stores.

Large recalls often affect multiple brands because they share the same manufacturer or supplier. For example, if a grain supplier ships contaminated wheat to ten different pet food companies, all ten brands may recall products made with that wheat. This is why checking the FDA database by ingredient or supplier name can reveal recalls you might otherwise miss.

What you can do to reduce risk

Buy pet food from retailers with strong quality control and fast recall response — large chains and established online retailers typically pull recalled products quickly. Store food in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to prevent mold and contamination. Do not buy extremely large quantities that will sit for months; fresher food is safer food.

Rotate brands occasionally if possible. Feeding the same product for years means a single recall could affect all your pet's food at once. Variety also reduces the risk that a nutrient imbalance in one brand will cause long-term deficiency in your pet.

Keep receipts for pet food purchases, or register your purchases on the manufacturer's website if they offer it. This makes it easier to prove you bought a recalled batch if you need a refund, and it helps the company notify you directly if a recall occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a recall to reach stores after it is announced?

Large retailers usually remove recalled products within 24 to 48 hours. Smaller stores may take a week or longer. The FDA does not set a deadline for removal, but companies are expected to act quickly. If you see a recalled product on a shelf weeks after the recall was announced, report it to the store manager and the FDA.

Can I get a refund for recalled food even if I already opened it?

Yes. Most retailers will refund or replace opened recalled food. Bring the package (or the lot number if you have thrown it away) and your receipt. If you do not have a receipt, the store can look up your purchase using your payment method or loyalty card. If you bought it online, contact the retailer's customer service with your order number.

What if I fed my pet recalled food and nothing happened?

Many pets eat recalled food without becoming ill, especially if the recall is Class II or III or if the contamination level is low. However, tell your veterinarian anyway so they can monitor your pet and document the exposure. Some illnesses take days or weeks to appear, and your veterinarian needs to know the history.

Are store brands and premium brands recalled equally often?

Recalls happen across all price points and brand types. Store brands and premium brands are both recalled when problems occur. The frequency of recalls does not necessarily reflect quality — it often reflects how thoroughly a company tests its products and how quickly it reports problems to the FDA.

What should I feed my pet while waiting for a replacement after a recall?

Switch to a different food gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset. Mix the new food with the old in increasing amounts. If you do not have another food on hand, ask your veterinarian for a temporary recommendation. Do not feed your pet table scraps as a substitute — it can cause nutritional imbalance and digestive problems.