Is Purina making dogs sick in 2024

Purina says its pet food is safe as allegations about sick animals multiply on social media

Complaints that Purina pet food has sickened pets have been circulating on social media in recent weeks, sparking fear for dog and cat owners.

But Purina adamantly denies there are any issues with its products.

Pet parents continue to be understandably scared by an online rumor that there is an issue with Purina pet foods. This rumor is false, and we are saddened to see the confusion and fear that it has caused, the company said in an online statement Monday.

The claims got amplified in a Facebook group for pet owners, called Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time, in early December. Group administrator Kelly Bone wrote in a post that she had received multiple reports of dogs or cats becoming suddenly ill or dying after eating Purina Pro Plan, a pet food formula for dogs and cats that comes in wet and dry varieties.

I started noticing in my group that we started having quite a few pets getting sick, Bone said. When I would follow up with [owners] to say, Well, what are they eating? When were their most recent vaccinations, flea, tick medications, all that other stuff?, the common denominator was Purina.

Bone said she has received 969 reports of dogs or cats getting ill after eating Purina food, including 234 deaths. The symptoms have included lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, seizures, rapid weight loss and rectal bleeding, she said.

The theory has also proliferated on TikTok, where users warned about Purina products, citing the Facebook conversations.

Purina said its quality assurance team investigated the rumor and found no data or trend that would indicate an issue.

There are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence, the company said in its statement.

This back-and-forth has left some pet owners searching for answers including James Diehl, a resident of Long Island, New York.

One of his dogs, Carly, suddenly lost her appetite in September, Diehl said. By the following month, the 14-year-old rottweiler was lethargic and had diarrhea, he added. Diehl said doctors discovered a blood clot in her heart but didnt think it had caused the gastrointestinal symptoms. Carly died in November.

The next month, Diehls dog Petri lost his appetite and was lethargic, he said. The 17-year-old dachshund died two days before Christmas.

Diehl still has two dogs, an 8-year-old dachshund named Bear and a 6-year-old rottweiler named Graham. Bear developed similar symptoms in December, Diehl said, and was in critical care. He is still struggling to eat back at home, Diehl added.

Diehls wife, Irene Nunes-Diehl, said the three older dogs consumed Purina products all their lives. Carly and Petri had been eating Purina Pro Plan wet food when they developed symptoms, she said, and Bear had been eating Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NeuroCare. Graham, however, was adopted from a shelter last month and has not gotten Purina food, Diehl said, nor has he had health issues.

Diehl said his veterinarian couldnt explain why the other dogs got sick. But a friend told the couple about the Purina rumors, and the two now attribute the illnesses to the food.

This is the only explanation I can come up with, Diehl said. I mean, God, to lose two dogs in a month and almost lose a third, theres got to be some correlation. But proving it? I dont know. I dont know if Im ever going to be able to prove it.

Lorie Westhoff, a Purina spokesperson, said Nunes-Diehl filed a complaint with the company on Monday, and it has reached out. Purina plans to request more information, including veterinary records, Westhoff added.

She said the Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time group has not given the company details about the complaints it received.

For example, Westhoff said, Purina spoke with one person from this group who had shared her story and was unwilling to provide us with vet records or food samples and would not allow us to contact her veterinarian.

Without more information, we simply cannot investigate despite being more than willing to do so, she said.

Westhoff further suggested that two people who helped spread the allegations have promoted brands that compete with Purina in the past. One is TikTok creator Rachel Fusaro, who has more than 276,000 followers on the platform and posted videos about Purina that have since been taken down. Fusaros Instagram has featured several paid partnerships, and according to her Amazon page, she may earn commissions on purchases of certain dog food brands. She did not respond to a request for comment.

Westoff also named Dr. Judy Morgan, a veterinarian who partners with a particular dog food brand and is a moderator for the Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time group. Morgan warnedabout Purina products on YouTube and Instagram earlier this month.

There seem to be clear benefits to them promoting this rumor, Westhoff said.

But Morgan told NBC News she has not profited from her warnings to pet owners. She recommends multiple dog food brands on her social media accounts and e-commerce site, she said, adding that she is paying to get Purina food tested in an independent laboratory.

I am not trying to make money off of this. I am actually spending my own money to get this problem solved, Morgan said.

She said she grew concerned about Purina pet food after reading reports in the Facebook group, as well as customer reviews on sites like Chewy and Amazon.

Purina has not recalled any product on the market, and the Food and Drug Administration has not requested or mandated that it do so. The FDA said pet owners and veterinarians can report illnesses via a form online.

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, an FDA spokesperson said.

Kenneth Simpson, a professor of small animal medicine at Cornell University, said he had not heard from colleagues or pet owners about problems related to Purina products.

In my experience the vast majority of commercial pet food producers are ethical and rank diet safety as their top priority, Simpson, who serves on Purinas scientific advisory board, said, adding: If a pet food manufacturer becomes aware of an issue after manufacture when a food is in the marketplace, they will issue a recall.

Purina voluntarily recalled a prescription dog food, Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental, early last year due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. The nutrient is essential to dogs, but excess amounts can be toxic.

That recall has no known link to the illnesses recently reported on social media.

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.