How to Handle Recalled Pet Food

Tips on Disposing of Tainted Dog Food, Getting Refunds & Recall Info

Sep 15, 2008
Mia Carter

Recalled Pet Food Can Make Your Dog Very Sick. - Marc Lamphear Photo

Pedigree and more than a dozen other brands were recalled in September 2008 - the latest in a string of pet food recalls. Here's tips on how to handle recalled food.

Following the September 2008 pet food recall for Pedigree and several other brands, dog and cat owners are left with many questions about the pet food recall, like "I threw away the dog food bag, so how do I know if the bag was among those recalled?" and "What should I do with my bag of recalled pet food?" This article will answer some of these frequently asked questions surrounding pet food recalls.

Q. How can I find out if my cat's or dog's food has been recalled?

A. Visiting the pet food manufacturer's website is a great way to stay up-to-date on indvidual pet food recalls.The manufacturer's website will have information on the reason for the recall, the package size for the food included in the recall, and information on the retailers who are selling the recalled food.

Q. My dog's food has been recalled. What should I do with the food?

A. If a food is recalled, pet owners should stop feeding the food. Place dry food inside a garbage bag (double bagged) and return the food to the store where it was purchased. Even without a receipt or original packaging, stores will usually provide a refund or store credit. In some cases, the store is even required to provide a refund for recalled pet food. It's recommended that pet owners print out a copy of the recall information and bring it along when returning the food, as the particular store employee may not be familiar with the recall.

Q. I threw away the original pet food packaging and I don't have a receipt. Can I still get a refund for recalled pet food?

A. In most cases involving a recall, stores will provide a refund, a new bag of food or store credit, even without the original packaging or a receipt. In cases where the store refuses to accept the food, pet owners can contact the manufacturer, which will typically send out a refund or replacement bag.

Q. What special measures should I take when handling tainted dog food?

A. Proper handling of recalled pet food is vital to avoid the spread of salmonella or even poisoning, as in the case of some 2007 recalls. Double-bag the contaminated pet food using heavy duty trash bags. If the food was stored in a container, use a mixture of one part bleach with four parts water to clean the inside of the container. Follow this by thoroughly scrubbing the container, inside and out, using an anti-bacterial soap. All pet bowls, pet bowl placemats and any other items that have come in direct contact with the recalled pet food should be cleaned in the same manner. And anyone who handles the recalled cat or dog food should immediately wash his hands using an anti-bacterial soap.

Q. I threw away the dog food bag. How can I tell if my dog's bag of food was among those recalled?

A. Without the bag, there is no way to determine for sure whether the food was among the batch that was recalled, but it's recommended that pet owners assume that the food is tainted and act accordingly. Pet owners can also check the manufacturer's website for information on the recalled pet food - they may be able to determine if their food was recalled based on the bag size, location and date of purchase, etc. In the case of the September 2008 pet food recall that was due to salmonella, a limited preliminary recall was initially issued. This first recall only affected 20-pound and 52-pound bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites dog food sold in California and Nevada.

Q. My dog ate some of the pet food that was included in the August 2008 or September recall for Pedigree and other brands . How can I tell if he/she has salmonella?

A. If a dog ingests recalled pet food, a visit to the veterinarian is in order so that a fecal test must be performed to look for the presence of salmonella. Salmonella is very contagious and a pet who does have salmonella is at risk of spreading the illness to other pets and human family members, so pet owners should opt for a visit to the veterinarian as soon as possible.