Your stomach drops. You don't know if your pet is in danger right now. Take a breath. Here's exactly what to do.
Before you do anything else, answer these three questions:
These three factors determine how urgently you need to act. A pet that is visibly distressed, vomiting, or lethargic needs veterinary attention immediately. A pet that appears healthy but has been eating recalled food over several weeks needs a vet check but probably not an emergency visit at 2 a.m.
This is non-negotiable. Even if your pet seems perfectly fine, stop feeding the recalled product right now. Remove the food from their bowl, seal the bag in a large zip-lock bag or tie it closed, and set it aside.
The symptoms to watch for depend entirely on what caused the recall.
Salmonella Contamination (12–72 hours after ingestion)
Vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain. Also transmissible to humans — wash hands thoroughly after handling any recalled food.
Aflatoxin Contamination (Symptoms may take days or weeks)
Sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, yellowing of eyes/skin/gums (jaundice), diarrhea, unexplained bruising or bleeding. Seek veterinary attention even if they seem fine.
Elevated Vitamin D (Symptoms within days to weeks)
Excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, drooling, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness.
Listeria Contamination (Variable onset)
Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle stiffness. Particularly dangerous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals in your household.
Pentobarbital Contamination (Rapid onset)
Extreme sedation, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination, death. THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY — go to an emergency vet NOW.
Foreign Material (Metal, Plastic) (Variable)
Reluctance to eat, gagging, bloody stool, abdominal pain, vomiting.
Even if your pet is showing no symptoms, call your vet and tell them:
For contaminations like aflatoxin or elevated Vitamin D — which cause internal damage before visible symptoms appear — your vet may recommend blood work even if your pet seems normal.
If your pet becomes ill from recalled food, report it to:
When filing a report, have ready: the recalled product name, brand, and UPC; the lot number and best-by date; where and when you purchased the food; a description of your pet's symptoms; and your vet's findings.
Report your pet's illness directly to the manufacturer using the contact information listed in the recall notice. Keep all receipts for veterinary care related to the recalled food — you may be entitled to reimbursement.
Most major pet food brands and retailers will accept returns of recalled products with a full refund, usually even without a receipt during an active recall. Bring the recalled food to the retailer where you purchased it, or contact Chewy, Amazon, or the manufacturer directly for online purchases.
A gradual transition is recommended when possible:
Days 1–2
25% new / 75% old
Days 3–4
50% new / 50% old
Days 5–6
75% new / 25% old
Day 7+
100% new food
Q: If I cooked the recalled food, is it safe?
No. Cooking may kill some bacteria but does nothing for chemical contamination like aflatoxin, Vitamin D excess, or pentobarbital.
Q: Is it safe to keep feeding the same brand if only specific lot numbers are recalled?
Technically yes — if you can verify your lot number matches a non-recalled batch. When in doubt, switch brands temporarily.
Q: My cat handles their food and I'm worried about Salmonella affecting me?
Yes — practice careful hand hygiene and consider wearing gloves when handling any food recalled for Salmonella.
The best time to learn about a recall is before your pet has been eating the affected food. SafePaws Monitor sends real-time alerts the moment the FDA publishes a new pet food recall.
Sign Up for Free AlertsNot a Veterinary Service: The content provided on SafePaws Monitor is for informational purposes only. We are not veterinarians, and this data is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet's health.
Data Source: All recall data is sourced programmatically from theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) OpenFDA API. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the data provided by the source.