Pet food recalls by brand, 2016 to 2026

This page lists every recall, withdrawal and FDA advisory we found since 2016 for the 48 best-selling dog and cat food, treat and dental chew brands we grade. Each one links to the notice or a published report. It's the same data that feeds the safety part of our grades.

The short version

• 24 recalls across 14 of the 48 brands since 2016.
• Most recalls: Purina Pro Plan (4), Blue Buffalo (4), Wellness Complete Health (2), Pedigree (2), Freshpet (2), 9Lives (2).
• In the last two years: Pedigree.
• No recalls on record since 2016: 34 brands, including Ark Naturals, Delectables, Diamond Naturals, Emerald Pet, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Greenies, Iams, Inaba, Instinct.

A recall count on its own can mislead. Big brands sell far more food, so they have more chances for a problem, and a careful company may recall at the first sign of trouble. What matters more is how serious the recalls were and whether they keep happening.

Every recall, newest first

• 2026Pedigree · moderate. High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck canned dog food (two lots): possible metal and plastic. Source
• 2024Pedigree · moderate. Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable dry dog food, 44 lb (315 bags): possible metal pieces. Source
• 2023Purina Pro Plan · serious. Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food: elevated vitamin D (expanded March 2023) (vet-only line). Source
• 2023Royal Canin · minor. Veterinary Feline Renal Support F dry cat food (one lot): mislabeled (vet-only line). Source
• 2022Purina Pro Plan · minor. Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN canned dog food (one lot): mislabeled (vet-only line). Source
• 2022Freshpet · serious. Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken (one lot): possible Salmonella. Source
• 2021Purina Pro Plan · moderate. Pro Plan Complete Essentials Tuna Entrée wet cat food (one lot): possible plastic pieces. Source
• 2021Freshpet · serious. Freshpet Select Small Dog Bite Size Beef & Egg (one lot): possible Salmonella. Source
• 2021Meow Mix · serious. Meow Mix Original Choice dry cat food, 30 lb (two lots): possible Salmonella. Source
• 2019Hill's Science Diet · serious. 25 canned Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog foods: excess vitamin D (expanded March 2019). Source
• 20189Lives · serious. 9Lives Protein Plus canned cat food: possibly low thiamine. Source
• 2018Merrick · serious. Merrick Backcountry beef dog treats: elevated beef thyroid hormone. Source
• 2017Good 'n' Fun · moderate. Healthy Hide Good 'n' Fun rawhide chews (certain lots): possible quaternary ammonium contamination. Source
• 2017Blue Buffalo · serious. Wilderness Rocky Mountain Red Meat Dinner canned dog food: elevated beef thyroid hormone. Source
• 2017Wellness Complete Health · serious. Wellness 95% Beef Topper for dogs: elevated beef thyroid hormone. Source
• 2017Blue Buffalo · moderate. Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight Chicken Dinner canned dog food: possible aluminum. Source
• 2017Blue Buffalo · minor. Divine Delights and Wilderness Trail Trays dog food cups: packaging quality. Source
• 2017Wellness Complete Health · moderate. Wellness 12.5 oz canned cat foods: possible foreign material. Source
• 20179Lives · serious. 9Lives Meaty Pâté and Seafood & Poultry canned cat food: possibly low thiamine. Source
• 2016Cesar · moderate. Cesar Classics Filet Mignon wet dog food: possible plastic pieces. Source
• 2016Blue Buffalo · moderate. Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato dry dog food: possible mold. Source
• 2016Purina Pro Plan · serious. Pro Plan Savory Meals wet dog food tubs: inadequate vitamins and minerals. Source
• 2016Purina Beneful · serious. Beneful Medleys wet dog food tubs: inadequate vitamins and minerals. Source
• 2016Vital Essentials · serious. Vital Essentials frozen raw pet food (one lot): possible Salmonella. Source

How serious is a recall?

We sort recalls into three levels, and our grades weigh them differently:

• Serious: a harmful nutrient level or a pathogen, such as too much vitamin D, too little thiamine, thyroid hormone or Salmonella.
• Moderate: foreign material such as plastic or metal pieces, or mold.
• Minor: mislabeling or packaging problems.

Recalls also count for less when they're older or hit a different kind of product. The details are in how we grade.

How to check if your pet's food is recalled

1. Find the lot number and best-by date on the bag or can. Recalls usually cover specific lots, not a whole product line.
2. Check the FDA's recall list and the brand's website.
3. If your food is affected, stop feeding it, keep the package for the lot details, and follow the refund instructions in the notice.
4. Call your vet if your pet has vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or other unusual signs.

We update this list when we recheck grades. If we've missed a recall, email [email protected].

Questions