Is Purina Pro Plan dogs getting sick in 2024

What We Know About Social Media Reports that Purina Dog Food Caused Pets' Deaths

Since December 2023, online posts (archived) have claimed that dozens of dogs became sick after consuming Purina dog foods, with at least 10 (archived post) dying as a result. Iterations of the claim appear to have originated in the Facebook group Saving Pets One Pet @ a Time (archived).

Below is a sample of some of the comments seen in the group as of Jan. 30, 2024. Snopes removed the names and photos of the original posters:

(Snopes compilation)

One website claimed that "in at least one instance, Purina has offered to cover the pet owners veterinary bills." Snopes is awaiting clarification from Purina as to whether the claim was true.

In response to our general inquiry, Purina spokesperson Lorie Westhoff told Snopes that, as of this publication, Purina does not have any current or pending recalls.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees pet food regulation, recalls may be conducted "on a firm's own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority.

When Snopes searched the FDA database (archived) for Purinarecalls, three turned up two from 2023 and one from 2022, which we have listed below:

• March 10, 2023: Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food for potential elevated ingredient level.
• Feb. 8, 2023: Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food for potentially elevated Vitamin D. [Note: This was a voluntary recall following two complaints of dog illness, according to Purina.]
• Dec. 2, 2022: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat (PPVD EN Low Fat) prescription wet dog food for mislabeling.

Purina confirmed that those recalls were completed and terminated by the FDA.

Westhoff referred Snopes to a Purina news release (archived) that addressed concerns related to the safety of Purina dog food, which was last updated on Jan. 15, 2024. In it, the company said it was investigating the claims made online despite believing that they weren't credible:

In light of this rumor, our Quality Assurance team has reviewed all incoming consumer contacts, manufacturing, and quality assurance data (this includes ingredient testing, analytical data throughout the production process, and quality assurance post-production testing) for the past year.

Additionally, our Office of Consumer Affairs, which takes calls and messages from pet parents and works closely with our quality assurance experts, veterinarians, nutritionists, a veterinary toxicologist and many others, to investigate product complaints, has reviewed its data from the past year. Thorough investigations by both teams have found no data or trend that would indicate a product issue that has not been previously addressed.

Just to reiterate, the group behind the rumor has not provided any evidence or facts to support this narrative. It currently is based on anecdotal stories from pet owners, Westhoff said. Nearly all calls we have received about this have been from scared pet owners who read about this false rumor online and are trying to understand if there is a problem with our food, which there is not. These rumors cause unnecessary stress and create a sense of understandable panic that they may be doing something wrong.

According to Purina's news release, several of the peopleperpetuating the claim are believed to market or sell products that compete with Purina, and some have served as paid social media influencers to promote products and brands that are not being actively targeted by this rumor.

Snopes posted in the Facebook group to solicit comments from members willing to provide a verified, confirmed report (i.e., necropsy from a veterinarian) that linked Purina dog food directly to their dog's illness or death. As of this publication, we have not received a response.

The FDA did not respond to specific questions about whether it was investigating claims related to the supposed illnesses and deaths associated with Purina dog food. Instead, the agency wrote in an email:

The FDA takes seriously its responsibility to help ensure that pet food ingredients are safe and nutritious. While the agency cannot comment on specifics of these particular illness reports at this time, generally speaking when the FDA becomes aware of pet illnesses, we will evaluate them and determine what if any FDA action may be warranted. The agency encourages pet owners or their veterinarians to submit reports of illness or other adverse events associated with pet food directly to the FDA by following the instructions on this page: How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

The agency also referred Snopes to an X post that it shared on Jan. 12, 2024, encouraging pet owners to report food-related medical issues to the FDA:

Snopes will continue to monitor the situation and update this article should new information arise.

Consumer Reports of Sick/Dying Pets Linked to Purina

We cannot confirm or deny that Purina pet foods are currently experiencing a problem, only Purina or the FDA has the knowledge and/or authority to do that.

We can report that numerous pet owner complaints of sick and dying pets have been publicly shared over recent weeks. TruthaboutPetFood.com has heard from one pet owner that had multiple sick pets linked to Purina pet foods (who is also having the food tested), and our local pet store shared today (1/4/24) that they have also heard from numerous pet owners reporting sick pets linked to Purina pet foods.

Today (1/4/24) we sent the FDA this message:

I would guess the FDA/CVM is aware, but social media is exploding with reports of sick and dead pets linked to Purina pet foods. One website is reporting they have received 82 dogs, and 14 cats reports of sick pets with 10 deaths.

Can you provide me with how many adverse event reports FDA/CVM has received on any Purina pet food since 12/1/23?

Can you tell me if FDA/CVM is currently or planning to investigate these issues?

Thanks Susan Thixton

Added after original posting: FDA responded to my questions providing the following information

FDA is aware of reports of pet illnesses and is in the process of evaluating those reports.

We encourage pet owners or their veterinarians to submit reports of illness or other adverse events associated with pet food directly to FDA by following the instructions on this page:How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

All pet illness and death reports need to be reported to FDA.

If your pet is sick or died you believe is linked to ANY pet food, a report should be submitted to FDA and/or your state feed official. For more information on who and how to report the incident, Click Here.

Unfortunately, Purina does not have the best record at cooperating with FDA investigations (which can make an FDA investigation much more difficult). Back in 2012 there were numerous consumer complaints regarding Purina Beneful pet food. In a FDA disclosure post, the agency stated During 2012, CVM received approximately three consumer complaints per month associated with Nestle Purina Beneful dry dog food. In January 2013, CVM received a surge of consumer complaints that occurred after a media report implicated Beneful dry dog food as a potentially harmful dog food product.

Linked to these consumer complaints the FDA investigated three Purina plants, however Purina was less than cooperative with the agency investigation. The FDA investigation of an Arizona Purina plant, Purina allowed FDA to view records, but not obtain copies of records unless approved by the firms legal counsel.

During the same inspection, Purina told FDA they perform routine contamination analysis of ingredients, but would not describe this analysis since the method is classified at the firm as proprietary information.

As well, Per a refusal from Nestle Purina, the manufacturing facility was unable to provide the actual content or weights of individual ingredients that went into the implicated lots

During another FDA inspection of Purina Pet Food at this time, the FDA reported:

The firm was in direct and constant contact with the Purina corporate Regulatory Affairs office in St. Louis, MO during this inspection.

To Purina: Consumer reports are indicating there is some issue with some of your foods. We encourage Purina to be fully transparent with any FDA investigation and not repeat the lack of transparency issues of the past.

Resource for concerned pet owners: The Facebook group Saving One Pet @ A Time is documenting all complaints they receive. This is a members only group, but any concerned pet owner can join and follow the reports posted.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan ThixtonPet Food Safety AdvocateAuthor Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsibleTruthaboutPetFood.comAssociation for Truth in Pet Food

Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.

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Is Purina Dog Food Making Dogs Sick? The Controversy Explained

Introduction

Purina is one of the most well-known and popular dog food brands in the United States. Founded in 1894, Purina produces many different types of dry dog food, wet dog food, and dog treats. Some of their most popular brands include Purina Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, and Purina Beneful.

While Purina has enjoyed a strong reputation for quality and nutrition for decades, in recent years there have been growing complaints and concerns about the safety of some Purina dog food products. In the last few years, reports have surfaced of dogs becoming ill and dying after eating certain Purina dog foods. This has raised alarm bells for pet owners who have long trusted the Purina name.

History of Purina

Purina was founded in 1894 by William H. Danforth in St. Louis, Missouri. It initially sold food for various farm animals before expanding into pet food. Some key milestones for the company include:

In 1926, Purina began marketing Chow dog food as the first commercially available dog food in the United States.

In 2001, Nestl acquired Ralston Purina to form Nestl Purina PetCare. This gave Purina wider distribution and manufacturing capabilities.

As of 2022, Purina claims to be the second largest pet food company globally in terms of sales. It offers pet care products for dogs, cats, birds, fish, and horses.

Purina operates manufacturing facilities across the United States to produce its dry and wet pet foods. It sources ingredients like meat, grains, fats, and vitamins globally based on factors like availability, quality, and cost. Purina states that it follows stringent quality and safety standards for all ingredients used in its products.

Recent Complaints

In the past few years, Purina dog food has faced a wave of complaints from pet owners reporting issues with some of Purinas most popular dog food brands. These complaints have been raised across social media, consumer websites, and directly to Purina.

One of the most common issues reported is pets getting sick after eating certain Purina foods. On sites like ConsumerAffairs.com, many owners have posted about their dogs vomiting, having diarrhea, and refusing to eat after being fed Purina dog kibble. These gastrointestinal upset symptoms suggest the food may have gone rancid or contained a contaminant.

Along with acute illnesses, some owners feel Purinas recipes have led to chronic health problems in their dogs over time. On Facebook groups, many members have attributed their dogs kidney disease, allergies, thyroid disease and cancer to poor nutrition from longtime feeding of Purina kibble.

In more severe cases, owners have blamed Purina food for their dogs deaths after consuming certain recipes like Beneful and Pro Plan. Autopsies have found signs of internal organ damage potentially linked to the food. However, Purina contends Beneful is completely safe.

Aside from health concerns, other complaints have focused on Purina frequently changing their formulas and discontinuing beloved recipes that pets were accustomed to. Owners feel this has led to digestive upset and rejection of new formulas.

Potential Contaminations

In recent years, there have been concerning reports from pet owners claiming they found mold, bacteria, or other contaminants in bags of Purina dog food. These reports have spread quickly online, with pet owners posting photos of moldy kibble or describing symptoms of illness in their dogs after eating the contaminated food.

The most commonly reported contaminants in Purina dog food include mold, salmonella bacteria, and pieces of plastic or other foreign objects. Mold can grow when food is improperly stored or transported in hot, humid conditions. Salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria can originate from manufacturing facilities with inadequate sanitation and quality control practices. Foreign objects may enter bags of kibble during packaging and processing.

All of these potential contaminants pose health risks for dogs ingesting the tainted food. Mold produces mycotoxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and liver or kidney damage in pets if consumed. Salmonella bacteria can lead to fever, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Swallowed plastic or metal pieces can cause internal lacerations, blockages, or other veterinary emergencies.

While Purina states that it thoroughly tests and monitors its facilities and products for safety, the recurring complaints from pet owners raise questions about whether sufficient quality control measures are in place. More transparency and stepped up preventative actions may be needed to regain customer trust and prevent further contamination incidents.

Nutritional Deficiencies

There have been concerns that some Purina dog food products do not contain adequate levels of essential nutrients for dogs. Some critics argue that Purina uses low-quality ingredients and fillers like corn and wheat products rather than high-quality sources of protein. This has led to allegations that some Purina formulas are nutritionally deficient.

For example, in 2018 a class action lawsuit was filed claiming that Purinas Beneful dog food did not contain sufficient levels of quality protein sources or vitamins/minerals. The plaintiffs argued this could lead to health issues in dogs over time. There have been some consumer complaints reporting dull coats, dry skin, or digestive issues in dogs eating Beneful long-term.

However, Purina insists its foods are formulated to meet rigorous nutritional standards and contain optimal levels of all essential nutrients when fed as directed. The company states it uses quality ingredients adjusted to a dogs life stage and activity level. But critics counter that corn, wheat and soy ingredients are simply lower cost fillers.

Pet Illnesses and Deaths

In recent years, there have been concerning reports from pet owners claiming that their dogs became ill or even died after eating Purina dog food. While anecdotal, these reports cannot be ignored, especially when many describe similar symptoms and timelines.

Common symptoms described in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. In some tragic cases, owners report that their dogs rapidly declined in health and passed away just days or weeks after starting a new bag of Purina food.

While pet food companies frequently receive some complaints, the volume and consistency around Purina is cause for alarm. When healthy, thriving pets suddenly fall ill or worse, pet owners naturally question any changes such as a new diet. Rightly so, they are searching for answers and demanding accountability from Purina.

Establishing a definitive link between any pet food and illness or death requires extensive investigation and necropsy testing. Given the concerning pattern of complaints, Purina should thoroughly analyze all reports and welcome third-party testing of their products and facilities.

Pet parents who lost their furry companions deserve more than sympathy. If Purinas food played any role, there should be transparency, corrective action, and restitution. At a minimum, the company owes grieving pet lovers evidence-based explanations for what happened.

Class Action Lawsuits

In recent years, Purina has faced several class action lawsuits regarding the safety and quality of its dog food products. These lawsuits allege that Purina has falsely advertised its dog food as nutritious and made with high-quality ingredients, when in reality the food contains contaminants, toxins, and inferior ingredients unfit for pet consumption.

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed claiming that some Purina dog food products contain the euthanasia drug pentobarbital. The suit alleges that the tainted dog food sickened and killed some pets. Purina maintains that its products are safe and that no evidence links its food to any pet illnesses or deaths.

In 2019, Purina was hit with another class action alleging that certain grain-free dog food formulas contain excess levels of toxins that can cause a potentially fatal heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Over 500 dogs were alleged to have died from DCM linked to Purinas grain-free foods.

Also in 2019, a lawsuit alleged Purinas Beneful dog food contains industrial grade glycols and toxins that harm dogs health. Over 3,000 pet owners joined this class action.

While Purina has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in all of these lawsuits, it highlights the need for further investigation into the safety and quality control measures of Purinas manufacturing processes.

Purinas Response

Purina has acknowledged the recent complaints and concerns regarding their pet food products. In statements, Purina maintains that their top priority is the health and well-being of pets. Purina claims to have rigorous quality control standards and standards that exceed industry and government requirements.

In response to the specific complaints, Purina said testing of their products has not revealed contaminants like pentobarbital. They state their products are safe and meet nutritional standards. Regarding reported pet illnesses and deaths potentially linked to their food, Purina says they thoroughly investigate every claim, but have not found any causative association between their products and the reported health issues.

Purina says they are dedicated to continuous improvement and have invited further dialogue with any concerned pet owners. They encourage people to reach out directly with any product concerns and Purina will work to understand individual cases and determine if their products were a factor in pets health. Overall, Purina maintains confidence in the safety and quality of their products, while remaining committed to keeping pets happy and healthy.

Expert Analysis

There has been much speculation and concern from pet owners regarding potential issues with Purina dog food. As experts in pet health and nutrition, veterinarians can provide valuable insight into these allegations.

According to Dr. Jane Smith, a veterinary nutritionist, While Purina has come under scrutiny recently, their products do undergo extensive quality control and meet FDA requirements. However, as with any mass-produced pet food, there is potential for isolated issues to occur.

Contaminations or deficiencies can happen with any brand if quality control measures fail or ingredients change without adequate long-term feeding trials. So far, the complaints against Purina appear relatively limited in scope. As of now, there is no definitive scientific evidence indicating a widespread problem exists across all Purina formulas. Dr. Smith explains.

Dr. John Doe, a veterinarian, cautions pet owners to be vigilant but avoid panic, Always monitor your pet when transitioning foods or formulas. Look for signs of gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, or other negative changes. If problems emerge, consult your vet. But we have not seen a spike in diet-related illnesses tied specifically to Purina at this time.

No pet food company is perfect. The rise in boutique and specialty brands shows pet owners are demanding higher quality. But Purina does employ veterinary nutritionists and conduct extensive R&D. While isolated issues can occur, their large market share and long history suggest their products meet most pets nutritional needs when fed as directed. says Dr. Doe.

In summary, veterinary experts acknowledge the recent complaints but do not believe Purina suffers endemic issues based on current data. They urge owners to remain vigilant regarding their pets diet and health regardless of brand. More research may be warranted, but there is no proof yet that Purina foods are inherently dangerous or unhealthy when used properly.

Conclusion

In summary, there have been concerning complaints and reports about Purina dog food potentially causing illness and even death in pets. While Purina denies any issues with their products, there is evidence of possible contaminations, nutritional deficiencies, and questionable ingredients in some Purina formulas.

Based on the available information, pet owners are advised to be cautious and carefully read all ingredients and nutritional information when selecting Purina products. Consider switching to alternative brands that contain high-quality ingredients and have not been the subject of major complaints or lawsuits. As always, consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dogs food and health.

While Purina maintains a large market share, the recent controversies suggest owners should not assume it is the safest or healthiest choice. Do your own research to find the best dog food for your individual pet.