Dog Food Recalled? How to Check in Under 5 Minutes

Dog food recalls happen more often than most people realize. Each year, the FDA issues multiple recalls and advisories covering everything from bacterial contamination to mold toxins to foreign objects. The problem is that no one sends you an alert when the bag of kibble sitting in your pantry turns out to be on that list.

Most dog parents only find out about a recall when it goes viral on social media, by which point their dog has already been eating the food for weeks. That is a stressful situation that is completely avoidable. Checking for recalls takes less than five minutes once you know where to look, and doing it regularly is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your dog.

This guide walks you through exactly how to check, where to sign up for automatic alerts, and what to do if you discover your dog’s food has been recalled.

To check if your dog’s food has been recalled, visit the FDA’s animal recall database at fda.gov/animal-veterinary and search your brand name. You can also sign up for automatic FDA recall alerts by email, and use Dog Food Advisor as a secondary source. This entire process takes less than five minutes and is worth doing every few months as a routine safety check.

---

What Is a Dog Food Recall (and How Is It Different From an Advisory)?

Before you start searching, it helps to understand what you are actually looking for. The FDA distinguishes between two different types of concerns, and they are not the same thing.

A recall means a product is being removed from the market and consumers are instructed not to use it. Most recalls are voluntary, meaning the company pulls the product after identifying a risk or after discussions with the FDA. In rare cases, the FDA can request or enforce product removal when a company does not act. Recalls typically happen when there is a confirmed contamination risk, a labeling error that could cause harm, or a manufacturing defect that makes the product unsafe.

An advisory or market withdrawal is typically issued when the FDA identifies a potential safety concern but the situation may not yet meet the threshold for a formal recall. In some cases, an advisory is issued because the FDA has recommended a recall but the manufacturer has not complied. Some advisories escalate into recalls. Others are resolved without any product action.

When you are searching, you want to see both. An advisory today can become a recall tomorrow.

---

Step 1: Check the FDA’s Recall Database

The most authoritative source for pet food recalls is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA maintains a searchable database of all recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts for both human food and animal food.

Here is how to find it:

• Go to www.fda.gov
• In the search bar, type “pet food recall” or navigate to the Animal & Veterinary section
• Select “Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts” under Animal & Veterinary
• Filter by date to see recent activity, or search by brand name or product type

The FDA database goes back years and includes the full recall notice for each event. These notices tell you the specific product names, lot numbers, and UPC codes affected. This is important because a recall often covers only specific production runs, not an entire brand. The bag you have at home may be fine even if another batch from the same company was recalled.

When you find a potential match, flip your bag over and compare the lot number printed near the expiration date to the lot numbers listed in the recall notice. If they do not match, your bag was likely produced before or after the problem batch.

---

Step 2: Sign Up for FDA Recall Alerts

Checking the FDA database manually is good. Getting automatically notified the moment something is recalled is better.

The FDA offers a free email subscription for recalls and safety alerts that covers pet food and animal products. This is separate from MedWatch, which is primarily for human drugs and medical devices.

To sign up:

• Go to www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Look for the email subscription option on the page (labeled “Sign up to receive Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts”)
• You can filter by category, so select Animal and Veterinary to receive only pet-related alerts

Once you are subscribed, you will receive an email every time the FDA posts a new recall or advisory in that category. You do not have to remember to check. The information comes to you.

This is one of the fastest ways to catch a recall before it goes viral, and it is completely free.

---

Step 3: Use Dog Food Advisor as a Backup Source

The FDA is the official source, but it is not always the most readable. Government databases are functional, not user-friendly. Dog Food Advisor fills that gap.

Dog Food Advisor (dogfoodadvisor.com) is an independent website that has been tracking pet food recalls since 2009. They translate FDA recall notices into plain language and maintain a running list that is easy to read and search. They also send their own recall alerts by email, which many pet parents find more accessible than the FDA version.

Dog Food Advisor does not replace the FDA. They are reporting on the same recalls, just in a more consumer-friendly format. But for day-to-day monitoring, their recall tracker page is one of the easiest tools available.

Sign up for their recall alerts in addition to the FDA email subscription. Having two sources means you are less likely to miss something.

---

Step 4: Photograph Your Bag Before You Open It

This is a habit that takes 10 seconds and can save you a significant headache later.

Every time you bring home a new bag of dog food, take a photo of:

• The front label (brand name, product line, flavor)
• The lot number and best-by date (usually printed near the bottom or on the back)
• The UPC barcode

If a recall is announced later and you want to know whether your bag is affected, you have the information you need without digging through your trash. Many pet parents who have dealt with recalls wish they had done this. Now you do not have to learn the hard way.

---

Step 5: Know What to Do If Your Dog’s Food Is Recalled

Finding out your dog’s food has been recalled is unsettling. Here is what to do.

Stop feeding it immediately. Even if your dog seems fine, do not wait for symptoms. Put the remaining food in a sealed bag or container and set it aside. Do not throw it away yet.

Call your veterinarian. Let them know the product name, lot number, and how long your dog has been eating it. Describe any symptoms you have noticed, even if you were not previously concerned about them. Symptoms from contaminated food can range from mild digestive upset to serious illness depending on what the contaminant is, and your vet can tell you whether your dog needs to be seen.

Report it. If your dog is showing symptoms, report it to the FDA through their Safety Reporting Portal at safetyreporting.hhs.gov (or search “FDA SmartHub” for their guided intake tool). This matters. The FDA tracks adverse event reports, and your report can help them identify patterns and act faster on future problems. Pet owner reports have contributed to the investigation and expansion of recalls in the past. You are not just protecting your dog by reporting. You are helping other dogs too.

Request a refund or replacement. Companies that issue recalls typically set up a consumer response process. Check the official recall notice on the FDA website for instructions. You should be entitled to a refund or product replacement for the recalled item, and in most cases the company will cover return shipping if they ask for the product back.

Document everything. Save receipts, photos of the product, vet records, and any communication with the company. If your dog becomes seriously ill and you need to pursue a claim, documentation is critical.

---

How Often Should You Check for Recalls?

The honest answer is that you should have alerts set up so you do not have to remember to check. Once you have signed up for FDA recall alerts and Dog Food Advisor alerts, recalls will come to you automatically.

That said, it is worth doing a manual check any time you:

• Switch to a new brand or product
• Open a new bag from a brand you buy regularly
• Hear anything on social media about pet food safety, even if you cannot verify it yet

Pet food safety concerns sometimes circulate on social media before official confirmation. While online reports can raise awareness, always verify information through the FDA or your veterinarian before making decisions. If something seems off with your dog, call your vet regardless of what you have or have not seen online.

---

The Bigger Picture: Why Heavy Metals Matter More Than Most Recalls

Most dog food recalls get attention because of contamination issues like salmonella or listeria. But there is a slower, harder-to-detect category of risk that does not trigger recalls: elevated levels of heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.

Heavy metals accumulate in the body over time. Your dog does not get sick overnight. The effects build gradually, and by the time symptoms appear, the exposure has been ongoing for months or years. Because there is no acute outbreak, heavy metal concerns do not always result in formal recalls. Some independent testing organizations have reported elevated heavy metal levels in certain commercial pet foods.

If you want to dig into this topic, we wrote a full breakdown: Heavy Metals in Dog Food: What Every Dog Parent Should Know.

---

Recap: Your Recall Checklist

Here is the short version of everything above.

• Sign up for FDA recall alerts at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Sign up for Dog Food Advisor recall alerts at dogfoodadvisor.com
• When you bring home a new bag, photograph the lot number, best-by date, and UPC
• If you suspect a recall, cross-reference the lot number with the official FDA recall notice before panicking
• If your food is recalled: stop feeding it, call your vet, report to the FDA, and contact the company for a refund
• If your dog shows symptoms, document everything and get them seen

That is it. Five minutes of setup today protects your dog for years.

---

This article does not endorse or criticize any specific brand and is intended solely to provide general safety guidance.

Keeping Hazel healthy has taught us more about pet food safety than we ever expected to know. If this guide helped you, consider sharing it with another dog parent. The more people who know how to check, the better.

What Should I Do With Dog Food That Has Been Recalled?

Stop feeding it immediately. Do not feed it to other animals either. Seal it in a bag and store it away from other pet food. Then check the recall notice for return or disposal instructions, as many manufacturers offer a full refund or replacement for recalled products. Keep the original packaging with the lot number for your records. If your dog has already eaten the recalled food, monitor them for symptoms and contact your vet if anything seems off.

Can I Get a Refund for Recalled Dog Food?

In most cases, yes. When a manufacturer issues a voluntary recall, they typically set up a refund or exchange program. The details are usually listed on the company’s website or in the original recall press release. You may need the UPC code, lot number, and purchase receipt. If you bought the food from a retailer like Chewy or a pet store, contact them directly as they often handle the refund process on the manufacturer’s behalf and can be faster to work with.

Which Dog Food Brands Have Had the Most Recalls?

Recall history varies year to year and does not always indicate a worse brand overall. Some large manufacturers have had multiple recalls simply because of their production scale and wide distribution. Dog Food Advisor maintains a comprehensive recall list going back to 2009 at dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls, sorted by brand and reason. Reviewing that list before selecting a food is a useful part of the evaluation process, though it should be weighed alongside overall quality indicators, not treated as the only measure.

Join The Pack

Weekly wellness, no fluff.

Dog wellness tips, product finds, and the occasional Hazel update. No spam, ever.

Subscribe