A Buyer-Beware Market for Dog Treats

After years of reports and complaints to the Food and Drug Administration about thousands of sick dogs, several companies recently decided to finally pull their chicken jerky treats off the shelves. The treats, made in China, caused vomiting, diarrhea and lost kidney function in more than 3,000 dogs between 2010 and the end of 2012. More than 500 dogs died during that timeframe – all apparently from chicken treats made in Chinese factories. With so many treats now coming into the U.S. from China, we thought we should post some information here to make sure our pet owners are informed and can do their best to keep their dogs safe.

The most difficult thing about this situation for dog owners is that the FDA has not issued a recall, which means many stores are still selling these treats. But the following companies voluntarily stopped selling these treats, according to The Huffington Post. If you have chicken treats from any of these brands stockpiled in your pantry, it’s time to clear them out:

• Waggin’ Train
• Canyon Creek Ranch
• Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky
• Chicken Grillers
• Publix Chicken Tenders Dog Chew Treats
• Cadet Chicken Jerky Treats

It seems the FDA is still trying to figure out what’s wrong with the Chinese chicken, and the Chinese government says the problem lies with FDA “investigation guidance.” While these international players fight it out, it’s up to dog owners to protect our pets. Here are a few things we can do, beyond avoiding the brands mentioned above:

1. Watch out for not only chicken jerky treats, but also those where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams, since those have triggered complaints, as well.
2. Don’t substitute chicken jerky treats for dog food.
3. Be especially cautious if you have small dogs, since their reactions can be magnified.
4. Know the symptoms. If you see lethargy, decreased appetite, increased urination or water intake, vomiting, or diarrhea, take your dog to the vet.