What dog treats brand accused of harming potentially killing dogs

Dog Treats Brand Accused of Harming, Potentially Killing Dogs

As pet parents, we all want to give our dogs the best and safest treats we can. For many years, rawhides, rib bones, and similar treats were widely popular for dogs. But in recent years, concerns about these items as potential choking hazards have grown. Some dogs are unable to digest rawhide, and may suffer from indigestion or stomach pain as a result. Others may chew off a large piece and run the risk of obstructing the esophagus.

So of course, rawhide alternatives have become a popular offering to avoid many of the risks of these products. Tragically, consumers are saying that one popular rawhide alternative brand isnt helping its risking their dogs lives.

Healthy Treats Turned Deadly?

DreamBone, a brand of chews made by parent company Spectrum Brands Holdings, has recently faced criticism from concerned pet parents and food & safety corporations. Liz Brannen, a dog parent residing in Texas, alleges that one of DreamBones treats caused the untimely death of her beloved Pekingese, Boogie.

Boogie began vomiting shortly after consuming the treat, and passed away less than 24 hours later. Boogie was otherwise healthy and had shown no symptoms of illness prior to consuming the treat. Safely HQ, a site that monitors consumer complaints about potentially harmful products, received more than 70 complaints about the DreamBone brand in 2022 alone.

Choosing Safety for Your Pets

Of course, tragic accidents happen, and sometimes illness or stomach upset in pets is not preventable. But just because you see a pet product on shelves doesnt mean its safe. Some pet food brands are known for repeated outbreaks of mold or resulting illness, while some just have poor-quality ingredients.

Before feeding treats or food to your beloved companion, do some research on the brands history and any current or past recalls. A single recall doesnt always need to mar a brands name. However, if you see a frequent history of complaints, use caution.

Women warning others after they say popular treats killed their dogs

Two women, who are preparing to sue a company that sells dog treats, are trying to warn pet owners after their pets died.

Stacy Carlyle, of Hall County, told Channel 2 anchor Sophia Choi that a treat killed her dog, Bella, and nearly killed her twin sister, Bailee.

I dont know if Ill ever get over it, Carlyle said.

She said her veterinarian found a piece of treat still inside Bella, several days after Bella ate it in September 2019. Carlyle had to put Bella down.

She was fine, and just like that, she was gone, Carlyle said.

She is now planning to sue the company along with Jennifer McConnell, who lives in Texas. She had a similar experience in October 2019.

McConnell said her English bulldog, Titus, ate a DreamBone treat, and his legs started to buckle.

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I put my hand I mean, my hand was basically in his stomach, and (the treat) was lodged, McConnell said. To have my dog die in my arms like it did. I dont want that to happen to anybody.

The treats are found in several grocery and pet stores. We spotted some at a metro Walmart. They come in a variety of flavors.

The two women say lots of people are buying them and have collected hundreds of similar complaints.

They should be investigating and doing something to where Im not getting three emails a week on somebodys dog dying or getting sick, McConnell said.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to Dr. Sara Gonzalez, a veterinarian from the University of Georgia, who said the treat could sit in a dogs stomach, or worse, get stuck in its intestines.

The farther down it moves, we probably have less chances of seeing vomiting, while still possible, and would be more likely to see things like abdominal pain, not wanting to eat, Gonzalez said.

The same treat came under fire in 2016 for similar complaints.

Choi obtained a copy of a lawsuit filed by two women in California. In it, the lawsuit states the product contains a large amount of indigestible ingredient.

It points out sorbitol as the third listed ingredient and that sorbitol is indigestible, and is widely characterized and classified, including by the FDA, as an indigestible sugar alcohol.

But the suit was dismissed after the parties settled out of court.

The products remained on the shelves with a slight change. Instead of saying more than 99% digestible, it now says highly digestible.

But sorbitol remains as the third ingredient in many DreamBone varieties.

I mean, its hard; you cant pull it off. And they said in order for anybody, a dog or human, this has got to be able to chew off, McConnell said.

Spectrum Brands now owns the company that puts out DreamBone treats. It sent Choi a statement, saying:

The health and safety of all dogs who enjoy our DreamBone products is our highest priority. We believe there is no merit to these allegations and we stand behind the quality and safety of our DreamBone products.

You shouldnt give your dog a dog treat, and the dog dies, McConnell said.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates dog treats and puts out warnings and recalls for pet foods. We are still trying to get the number of complaints filed with the FDA related to the dog treats.

The FDA sent a statement, saying:

Before taking action regarding a product, FDA must fully investigate complaints submitted to the agency performing tests, inspections, and interviews before we have enough information to verify whether there is a public safety concern.

Gonzalez said pet owners also need to take some responsibility when giving out treats.

Make sure that they are chewing it responsibly and not just swallowing it whole, Gonzalez said.

As for Carlyle and McConnell, Spectrum Brands offered them a settlement, but theyre determined to take this case to court.

Its not about money, but its to let the public be aware, McConnell said.

You know, youre just trying to make them happy, and the next thing you know, something you did took their life, Carlyle said.

The women said their attorneys fired them, saying they saw no benefit of going to the media with this story.

The women came to Channel 2 Action News, and there was no pressure put on them to do this story.

They said they wanted to get the word out about the treats now to save dogs and pet owners some heartache.

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The seven best healthy dog treats, according to a vet

Does your dog need treats?

Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, youll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.

Choosing healthy treats for your doggie

When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, its tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pups health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.

What to look for in healthy dog treats

If youre ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.

Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.

Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.

Calories. Generally, treats should be just that treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.

Texture. You want to choose treats that arent too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dogs teeth.

Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.

Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.

If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, youll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.

Types of dog treats to avoid

There are many popular treats out there that arent good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.

Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.

Animal bones. Sure, bones are all-natural but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.

Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigationTrusted SourceU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Government agency.Go to source and how theyre testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats especially with so many other great options on the market.

Treats with additives. We like treats that dont contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animalsTrusted SourcePubMed CentralArchive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.Go to source.

Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you cant do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.

Can you make DIY treats at home?

Its easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dogs dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.

10 Best Dog Treats That Will Have Your Pet Drooling

Ingredients: Luckily, you don't have to worry too much about whether or not the treats you pick are safe for your pet. "Most dog treats on the market are fine in regards to ingredients," Dr. Conrad says. "There aren't any 'best ingredients' per se but it more so depends on preference." So if you or your pup are more interested in something with a shorter ingredient list, pet parents lean towards treats like dehydrated animal lung, liver or meat. "Since treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of [your] dog's diet, ingredients aren't too much of a concern, especially if it's a commercially-made treat," she says, aside from your pet's personal preference, of course!

Purpose: If you're trying to find the right treat as a reward for training, look for something soft and small. "Dogs get excitable while training so a soft treat avoids any crumbs that may go down the wrong tube and cause them to cough," Dr. Conrad says. "Small, smelly, super tasty treats will give the best results so make sure you choose a treat your dog really loves so they'll work hard for their reward." If you're just looking for something that your dog can chew on for fun after a long day, larger, tougher treats are okay as well.

Health: It's important to avoid ingredients that you know your dog is sensitive to, and make sure you only purchase treats that are the correct size for your dog breed. "Make sure treats are easy to chew and digest and not too big for your dog to avoid any choking hazards," says Dr. Conrad. "Feed small amounts to avoid an upset stomach as too many treats can potentially cause GI upset." In general, treats should only make up 10% of your pup's daily diet, so don't overfeed them.