Pet Food Recall Settlement is Unfair
Finally there has been an agreement reached in the longstanding class action case against many pet food companies, and pet owners affected by the pet food recall.
In 2007, pet food contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid affected thousands of dogs and cats in North America.
These toxins were added to artificially boost measured protein levels of the food.
The side effect was kidney disease, kidney failure and death in thousands of pets. The exact number varies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received reports of approximately 8500 animal deaths, who have died after eating contaminated food as of 11 April, 2007.
The number of pets affected by chronic renal failure as a result of the poisoning is still unknown, but one article suspected another 30,000 dogs and cats.
Over 150 brands of pet food were affected – touching every major pet food company.
Details of the settlement can be found on the website at http://www.petfoodsettlement.com
Here is info from the site:
The defendants collectively have agreed to create a twenty-four million dollar (US $24,000,000.00) cash Settlement Fund from which eligible consumers and/or pet owners may receive a cash payment for up to 100% of all documented economic damages they incurred related to their purchase of or their pet’s consumption of the Recalled Pet Food Products subject to certain limitations described in the FAQs. Economic damage means the expenses you incurred related to your purchase or your pet’s consumption of the Recalled Pet Food Products, including but not limited to veterinary screening or treatment bills, expenses related to your pet’s illness and/or death, and other expenses such as lost wages and property damage.
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What I think..
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As up to 40,000 pets were affected, 24 million is extremely small and inadequate.
When I do the math, that works out to a paltry $600 per pet.
Hardly fair for someone losing a member of their family, or having to deal with a pet that died much earlier than expected from chronic kidney failure.
The costs associated treating a pet with kidney failure can run in to the thousands.
And how to you put a price on the loss of the member of your family?
Well it appears that these pet food corporations have put a price.
$600
This flies in the face of their advertising- How many times have your seen ‘feel good’ commercials of dogs and cats being hugely valued members of your family.
And the message you get is if you see your pet as a member of your family, why wouldn’t you choose to feed them our ‘supposed’ best food.
Price should be no object.
Unless of course the food becomes contaminates, harms your animal, and there is a large class action law suit.
Clearly the lawyers for the pet food companies were well paid, and did their job…this is a small drop in the bucket for these conglomerates.
Petfoodindustry.com reports this:
Packaged Facts estimates that US retail sales of petfood totaled US$18.4 billion in 2010, up 2.8% over 2009 sales.
If you were to look at the 24 million as the settlement, that equates to a whopping .1% of the U.S. sales ( this doesn’t even take into account the Canadian sales)
This was a very poor settlement- and hardly fair in any way.
If you were affected by the pet contamination, I am sorry for your and your pets. Clearly you deserved much better than this.
P.S. Please leave a comment.
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
what more can you expect? the pet food companies don’t care about the pets, they care about their bottom line. i’m surprised they even required this much. it’s a sad and disgusting settlement for those who lost beloved pets.
i am a member of catster.com. on this site i know many whose pets either died or who effected by this and even a few who miraculously survived. it just makes you sick at heart. bobbie
So many families went through heartbreaking losses, and no settlement can truly make that right. We just hope this serves as a reminder that pet food companies need to be held to a much higher standard because our pets deserve so much better.
had my dogs been affected, there would have been a lot more than what happened in the class action. The lawyers, as usual, are the only ones that profit.
Purebred dogs cost a lot more than what was given, and I would have sued them for the cost of the dog, every vet visit, every class I took, every trial I entered, and my time for caring for them.
That’s why I monitor what the dogs eat, and make my own treats. When my first dog developed MVD, I contacted Guelph vet school and got them to send their year long nutrition course to another college and took it there…… and I have been making my own treats and selling them to happy owners whose dogs won’t eat anything but my treats.
he settlement was far too small for many families, especially considering the emotional and financial toll. Good on you for taking nutrition seriously and making your own treats. Our pets depend on us, and being informed is one of the best ways we can help keep them healthy.
I agree with you Dr. Jones. $600 is a paltry sum and would barely cover the cost of having one’s pet euthanized and returned to the owner in a keepsake. I was fortunate enough to not lose a pet because of this, but I can empathize with all those who did.
We are so sorry you had to go through that, and we’re grateful your pet was spared. You’re absolutely right. Even the costs alone can quickly exceed that amount, let alone the heartbreak of losing a beloved family member. Those families deserved far better.
Class actions are BS..individuals get pittance and class action law firms make out like bandits.
That being said, the bottom line is that it behooves you to become an educated consumer..and that includes medical and veterinary services. I think it should be mandatory to list all ingredients and also any and all countries where food is made and/or processed. The best way to deal with these profiteers is to put them out of business. Since the recalls, I have been making my pets food, altlhough I do have some Fromms or Innova on hand.
Greater transparency with ingredients and where food is made would be a big step forward. Making your own pet food can be a great option when it’s balanced and complete, and it’s always nice to have a trusted backup food on hand. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
THAT IS REDICUOLIS,for all the pain and suffering.UNFAIR settlement.Thats why i don`t feed my dogs that crap(garbage food)
It was a heartbreaking situation for so many families, and many people felt the settlement did not reflect the real cost of losing a beloved pet or treating kidney disease. We all want safer pet food and better accountability so our pets are protected.
I agree with Heather. Put them out of business – make your own food at home. My dog is battling bladder cancer. She was diagnosed in 2008 and given six months to live. So together with my vet and MY research online and making changes in her food and administering natural remedies, etc., she proved us all wrong. She is also on your Ultimate Canine formula. We need to take charge of our pets and stop feeding inferior food.
That is a real testament to working closely with your veterinarian, making thoughtful nutrition changes, and staying proactive. Thanks for sharing your story and for taking such great care of her.
Pet food is big business. Big business is big money. Big money is greed, greed, greed! That’s the way it is. Those of us who love our pets as much as we love our children don’t really stand a chance against a big company and their lawyers. It would never be fair. I lost a pet to kidney disease and I know how he suffered. There’s no amount of money that can make that right. Losing him still hurts and I miss him every day. No aamount of money could ever replace him.
No settlement can ever replace a beloved family member or take away what they went through. We agree that families affected by the recall deserved far better, especially knowing how devastating kidney disease can be. Sending you a big hug and keeping your sweet pup in our thoughts.
My Japanese Spitz died On June 20 06 from kidney failure from eating recalled food. At six yrs of age I spent almost $7000 in vets fees. I tried to have a kidney transplant for him but all the universities have quit doing them. He was a blue ribbon winner in all shows and best in show most times. Most of all he was like my child. I had documented proof on all bills plus the cost of another of his blood line Of $5500 including shipping. They said it was too much and only paid me $4000. We make our own dog food now and will never buy commercial food again. I also own a Samoyed,A American Eskimo and a Jack Russell Terrier. I got them later so theyre all healthy.
Losing a dog that young, especially one who was such a big part of your family, is heartbreaking. Sadly, many families affected by the 2007 recall felt the settlement did not come close to covering the financial costs, let alone the emotional loss. We’re glad your other pups are doing well, and making your own food with a balanced recipe can be a great option.
Just terrible. The poor dogs and cats who suffered needlessly not to mention the pet parents who lost a beloved member of the family. This is very sad. I too now make my German Shepherds food at home. I do have some Wellness brand on hand though. It is a big task cooking for a 110 pound Shepherd but well worth it knowing exactly what is in the food.
Making your Shepherd’s food is definitely a big commitment, but knowing exactly what goes into the bowl gives many pet parents real peace of mind. We’re lucky to have caring people like you willing to put in that extra effort for their pups.
i should like to know names of all the foods recalled–only then can the public refuse to buy the products—and hopefully put the companies out of business
More than 150 brands were affected in the 2007 recall, which is exactly why so many pet owners were frustrated. The recall lists were made public at the time, and transparency is always important so people can make informed choices.
I agree. 24 million is nothing for the pet food companies. Is such a business. I have multiple cats and dogs, all of them rescued and it has taken me a long time to find a good pet food that I can afford. Thanks to you I can keep all my pets with me. My vet was telling me that I had to do this or that and if I didn´t do it I was putting at risck the health of my pets. Well…my oldest dog is 11 and he is very healthy, no more shots….nor pesticides…..he is running like a puppy and jumping. He looks much better now than when I got him 8 years ago.
I found two dogs in the road 3 years ago, one of them with terrible hips and knees. The vet told me that he needed hip replacement (5,000 per leg) or that I would have to put him down soon. I could not afford that and I did not want to put him down so I did a lot of research and instead of the pills the vet told me to give him I started to give him garlic. He can play catch. He can go for walks….and he is doing great. Of course I can see that he is not like the other dogs but he has a good life….and I did not have to pay 10,000 dollars.
Sorry I am sharing too much. It is just a lot of frustration with vets and pet food companies…..
We’re so glad your senior dog is thriving and that your rescued pup is still enjoying walks and play.
Every pet is different, so it’s important to base treatment decisions on the individual animal. We’re happy you found an approach, together with lots of research and care, that has helped your dogs enjoy a good quality of life.
And yes, the settlement was far too small compared to the impact it had on so many families. Pets are family, and they deserved much better. Wishing you and your rescue crew many more happy, healthy years together.
Money is the root of all evil. I think that says it all. That’s all those companies care about, not about the pet owner who had to have their pet put down because of their cutting corners to make more money. They don’t care about the little boy or girl who were heart broken over the loos of their pet and how they greived. They don’t care about the parents who had to watch their child greiving while they themselves grieved the loss of their pet. I did have the list of the pet foods that were recalled but cannot seem to locate it. If anyone has the list of pet foods that were recalled in 2007 I would really appreciate if you would post it.
Thousands of families were affected, and over 150 pet food brands were recalled. The settlement was only $24 million, which worked out to a very small amount compared to what so many families lost. No amount of money can replace a beloved pet. We hope someone here can share the 2007 recall list for anyone looking back at the affected brands.
Settlement payments won’t bring them back. I am not interested in the money. I want my pet back. Don’t forget, I am an animal, too! I need proper food as much as the animals do. Our pets couldn’t defend themselves and neither will I if I died from either immediate, short, or long term food poisoning. When it comes to raw survival, there is no room for lawyers, food processers, health/vet services, and toxic farming practices.
No settlement can replace a beloved family member. While covering expenses matters, it never makes up for the loss. Our hope is that tragedies like this lead to better safety, more accountability, and fewer families having to go through this again.
The way I look at it if I wouldn’t eat the food then I won’t feed it to my dogs. Not to say I routinely eat dog food as i don’t but if the ingredients are full of fillers/meals and grains its a given that it isn’t good for your pet.
I heartily agree this is not enough compensation and the big business of dog food companies like those in this suit truly don’t care one bit about your pet. They just see an option to make money where the unsuspecting public fall prey to their advertising. This pay off is just an expense of doing business as far as they are concerned.
I don’t do grocery is a website that tells it all. You can’t buy dog and cat foods in your grocery store and expect them to be good. As a rule only get your pet food from reputable pet stores who have staff who know what each brand has to offer and why its good or not.
Do your own research and comparisons , every food out there likely has a website that you can go to and read whats in the food. If there are grains especially corn /corn meal,corn starch etc etc…stay away. You are only giving your pet the ingredients for internal and external issues galore by feeding such products to them. Be an informed consumer and advocate the best for your dog or cat. So sad for all those who lost a pet during this disaster.
We agree the settlement was far too small for the families who lost beloved pets. As for food, reading the ingredient list and choosing a quality diet is one of the best things you can do. That said, not every food with grains is automatically bad, since some pets do well with them. The key is looking at the overall quality of the ingredients and choosing a food that fits your pet’s individual needs. Being informed is always your pet’s best defense.
I agree that this settlement is totally inadequate, in light of the number of pet food manufacturers involved and the damages caused. One factor to consider, as well, is that the source of the contaminated ingredients is Mainland China. These ingredients were adulterated with melamine and cyanuric acid to boost the testable protein levels and as a result, make unreasonable profits as an exporter. Why aren’t the regulatory agencies forcing those manufacturers to fund this settlement, at least, and disallow the Chinese from exporting these ingredients, at best. We need to keep our business at home under our own control.
The contaminated ingredients did come from suppliers in China, where melamine and cyanuric acid were added to falsely inflate protein test results. At the same time, responsibility also rests with the companies that sourced, tested, and sold the food. Our focus has always been that pet owners deserved far better accountability and far better protection.
I agree with Dr.Jones! How do you put a price on a much loved member of the family who is no longer with us! $600 is nothing! I think it’s appalling that they would offer so little. I am one of the blessed whose cats were not involved with this recall and happily I have all my family members with me. I would be insensed beyond reason if it were the other way around!
Our pets are family, and no dollar amount can truly replace the loss of a beloved companion. The impact goes far beyond the bills, it’s the heartbreak and the years of love that were lost. We’re so glad your cats were not affected and that you still have your furry family with you.
This is disgusting! You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves! What a pissy little amount to replace a beloved healthy pet! Who are you trying to kid?? What goes around—comes around
Losing a pet because of something preventable is heartbreaking, and no amount of money can truly replace a beloved companion. Our concern was that the settlement felt far too small compared to the real emotional and financial impact many families faced. Pets are family, and they deserve better.
My heart goes out to all those people that lost their pet children, it is terrible, and I agree with all the comments.
Thank goodness I stay in South Africa, but it could happen here too.
it is indeed a very sad storey
So many families lost beloved companions because of something that should have been safe. It is a good reminder to stay informed about what goes into our pets’ food and to always question, research, and make the best choices we can for their health. Our pets deserve nothing less.
A long way from the compensation that should be paid. If you really want to be sure of what you feed your pet- make your own. In the long run its much cheaper and you know what they are eating.
Homemade diets can be a great option when they are balanced properly with the right nutrients. It is not just about avoiding recalls, it is about giving our dogs and cats the best chance at a healthy life. A little extra care in the kitchen can go a long way.
A $600 average per pet is highly insulting.
For many people, their pets are family, and the emotional and financial impact of losing a beloved dog or cat can be far greater than any number on a page. The goal was never just about the dollar amount, it was about recognizing the real harm families experienced and holding companies accountable. Our pets deserve better care, better choices, and better protection.
Sir , I could not agree with you more.
The best way to go is home cooked meals, Ifeed my two Huskies only what I cook my self. Stay away from anything OUT OF CHINA.
In South Africa you will be lucky if the same componies will be taken to court.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Home cooked meals can be a wonderful option when they are properly balanced for your pets’ nutritional needs. The important thing is knowing where ingredients come from and making informed choices.
The 2007 pet food recall was a heartbreaking reminder that quality control and transparency matter. We all want the same thing, healthy dogs and cats living their best lives.
$600 average per pet is indeed highly insulting. Luckily my babies were not affected by the recall, but it did make me reconsider their diet. I make most of their food now. AND I NEVER PURCHASE ANY FORM OR TYPE OF FOOD FROM CHINA for any member of my family.
The 2007 recall was a real wake up call for many pet parents. Making fresh food at home can be a wonderful option when it’s done with balance and the right nutrients. It’s not just about avoiding certain ingredients, it’s about giving our dogs and cats the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Many years ago my animal companion, Axel, began to suffer from various life threatening ailments. cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, and finally tumors of the spinal column. One of the vets involved in diagnosing and treating Axel had trained in Ireland. She said that the diseases she saw here in the USA were very uncommon in Great Britain and that it was also uncommon, at that time,for people to buy commercial pet food. Her thinking was that the home cooked food people in Great Britain prepared routinely for their companions was providing nourishment that was balanced,strengthening and healing and as commercial food became more commonly available the incidence of disease would begin to rise.
$600 is really an insulting amount of money to be offered by companies that profit from providing a barely adequate source of nutrition. But – we humans suffer also from the same abuse -pseudofood marketed as real food by companies who only care about their profit margins – not the health and welfare of those who purchase their products.
peace and courage
It is heartbreaking to hear what he went through, and it is clear he was deeply loved.
Nutrition is such an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to our pets’ health. We do know that a balanced, complete diet matters, whether it is home prepared or a commercial diet, and the quality of the ingredients and how that food is made can make a big difference.
The 2007 pet food recall was a huge wake up call for many pet owners. Losing a beloved companion because of something that was supposed to keep them healthy is devastating, and no settlement can truly replace that loss.
The best thing we can do is keep asking questions, stay informed, and remember that our dogs and cats are family, not just a line item on a balance sheet. Give Axel a little extra love in your memories.
My pack is raw fed as I will never ever support these companies manufacturing “crapple”.
My daughters Labrador suffered kidney damage due to the tainted food(in South Africa)this well known company offered to pay to feed her a special kidney diet until she died. Very little compensation,what about all the vet bills that had to be settled?
$600 compensation is an absolute insult!!!
Losing a pet or watching them suffer because of something preventable is heartbreaking. The impact goes far beyond a dollar amount, especially when families are left with vet bills, stress, and the loss of a beloved companion.
The 2007 pet food recall was a devastating reminder that transparency and quality control in pet food matter. We believe pet owners deserve better answers, better standards, and better support when things go wrong.
Thank you for sharing your story and advocating for your pets. They truly are family.
Not a very adequate settlement for those who lost their pets. My heart goes out to them all, I can’t imagine losing one of my fur kids thinking I was feeding them a good diet. I no longer trust these companies.
Losing a beloved pet is devastating, especially when you trusted that the food you were giving them was safe. That situation was a painful reminder to ask questions, read labels, and be more involved in what goes into our pets’ bowls. Our pets deserve the very best care we can give them.
What brand names are we talking about? My English Bulldog died prematurely and it was never determined why her kidneys shut down.
The 2007 recall affected over 150 pet food brands across many companies, so there was not just one brand involved. Kidney failure can have many causes, and sadly sometimes we never find the exact reason. Our hearts go out to you for the loss of your girl.
I would appreciate your actually naming the companies involved. Calling them “Pet food Companies” doesen’t tell me who was to blame. I don’t think that they should be forgiven so easily and that all pet owners should boycott their current products. We should all show compassion to those who were harmed by helping to put these companie out of busness!
The 2007 recall involved over 150 brands across many major pet food companies, so the issue was much bigger than one company. Our concern was that the settlement did not reflect the real loss many families experienced. The focus should be on accountability, transparency, and better protection for our pets.
It’s a shame these companys think about the profit and not about the pets. Money is the root of all evil as the Bible states. They will have to answer to a higher power and thats not anyone on earth. I don’t know how they can sleep at night just knowing how many pets has been taken out of this world, these 4 paws babies are like our children It makes me sick when people say they are just an animal. It might be an to them but to us its our 4 paws furbabies.
Our pets are family, and when their health is affected it’s heartbreaking. The pet food recall was a painful reminder that transparency and accountability matter. We’ll always keep advocating for safer choices, better standards, and putting the wellbeing of our dogs and cats first.
Thank goodness my pets were not affected, I use raw homemade, dehydrated raw and a Canadian brand of kibble on occassion. I do feel that animals suffered needlessly due the greed of some food companies to try to make that extra $ by buying ingredients they did not have tested before buying.
The owners of these pets had to watch in vain as their pets suffered and NO this will never compensate their losses.
So glad your pets were not affected. It was a heartbreaking situation, and those families deserved much better. We’re all for safer, more transparent pet nutrition and helping pets thrive naturally.
Of course it’s not enough – I lost one of my dogs in this mess just before it was publicized – which means it was going on before they caught it.
How many others are uncounted? Animal food companies/ mills are the result of finding profit in food production byproducts. And because of this episode, we search for human and animal food without imported [China particularly] ingredients….
In most cases, companion animals are legally worse off than livestock. My horses are likely better protected than my dogs re: food / drug anomalies. Regardless, my pups are as priceless as my feline and equine companions.
The 2007 pet food contamination was a heartbreaking reminder that transparency and accountability matter. Our dogs and cats are family, not just numbers. Thank you for sharing your story and advocating for better care.
Isn’t this true when suing on behalf of pets? Whether it’s a large company or an individual, the courts don’t recognize the value of our pets, who truly are members of our families. And hasn’t the cost of veterinary care become almost comparable to our own human medical care ??? $600 just doesn’t cut it in my book, either. The courts need to stop seeing our pets as just ‘property’. My pets were luckily spared this atrocity, since I don’t buy any of the foods that were recalled. My hearts go out to the people who lost their ‘kids’, and laws need to change so this NEVER happens again !! Still, NO amount of money will ever replace those lost, but the pet food industry might think twice if they a forced to pay large settlements.
Our pets are family, not just property. No amount of money can replace that loss, but stronger accountability and safer standards are essential to help protect our dogs and cats.
In response to Judi Conigliaro. You are a first class pet owner. You truly love your dog with all your heart.
In response to the settlement. This is pathetic. I lost my beloved dalmation a year ago this past September, she was 16. I would tell them to keep their lousy money, this just adds insult to loss. There is no amount of money I would have taken for my “Splatter”. This is Just a slap in the face to these poor parents who lost their loved ones. These companies SHOULD be embarrassed. I believe in karma, karma will come back at them!!
Splatter sounds like she was truly loved and cherished. We couldn’t agree more, no amount of money can replace a beloved pet. The loss is priceless, and accountability matters when pets and families are affected.
i always used to think most western administrations think only of monetary value of the damage or the loss.” can they “recall” the lives lost due to greed for money. they must bring in legislation to prevent theses companies making pet food with any type of harmful substances.where is the so called “love” if they feed these animals knowingly with poison. every creature big or small has a right to live. the owners of these pet food companies and there suppoters must suffer in hell!-
Our pets are family, not just numbers on a balance sheet. The pet food recall was a painful reminder that transparency, safety, and accountability must always come first.
Makes one think of the babies who died in China with the melamine added to milk owder to increase the protein content. There was a huge outcry over that but this has been hushed up because animals are involver. We, as animal lovers, know their pain and suffering is just as gret as those poor baiies! Money chasing makes people evil,
We remember that tragedy well. Our pets are family, and their health matters. That’s why we keep asking questions, staying informed, and pushing for better standards in pet care.
Makes one think of the babies who died in China with the melamine added to milk powder to increase the protein content. There was a huge outcry over that but this has been hushed up because animals are involver. We, as animal lovers, know their pain and suffering is just as great as those poor babies! Money chasing makes people evil,
Our dogs and cats are family, and their suffering matters. We can only hope these lessons continue to push for better transparency, safer ingredients, and more accountability in the pet food industry.
I agree with everyone that $600 is a pathetic offer of compensation for the grief and also the guilt an affected pet owner must feel in such a case. My (rescue) dogs have each in their turn been like a child and also a teacher to me. My first dog had kidney failure but that was my fault as I didn’t know then that grapes were poisonous for dogs. My dog gets me out in the fresh air, meeting people, helping my blood pressure stay steady and is a reason for getting up in the morning. I inherited a cat three years’ ago so now I have two reasons for keeping going. how much medicine am I saving the NHS in the UK? I wish I knew – but then that would be just more drugs from unscruplous profit machines.
Has anyone in government or the pet food manufacturers association thought about banning these substances from ALL food, not just pet food? I think melamine was found in babies milk substitute from China a few years’ ago. It seems like the ‘nanny’ state is just not working.
Our pets truly become family, teachers, and a reason to keep moving forward. The grief from losing them cannot be measured with a dollar amount. We also agree that stronger transparency and safety standards are needed to protect the animals we love.
Several years ago this amount would not even have been given. When Merrick caused all of the deaths in California several years ago I was affected by the loss of a whole litter of puppies and 4 adult dogs – we spent several thousands of dollars in vet bills additionally. The Federal Judge threw out the suit. When I personally spoke to the nasty Mr. Merrick his comment is “it’s only a dog”. Great comment from a guy who is rich because people buy his products. One thing people forget in the estimate of per person is that the attorney’s get about 50% before any distribution to those who sustained losses. You have to change the law first or pet food companies will never step up to the plate.
We are so sorry you experienced such a painful loss. That 2007 contamination was devastating for many families and pets. You are right, pets are family, and stronger accountability and safety standards are still needed.
I think I may have been affected if I had not changed my dog’s food when he continued to vomit.
I may have fed him the tainted food for a short time, I don’t remember how long. I know I had him to the vet at least twice and the vet gave him pills to settle his stomach. When I changed his food, the vomiting stopped. My trainer from Paws With a Cause had a fit. Eukanuba was the best dog food and he didn’t need to have it changed. I disagreed and changed to Life’s Abundance after doing extensive research online. From what I read dogs could develop allergies to food they had eaten for years, contrary to what the trainer told me. I assumed at the time it was an allergy, but looking back, I now think it maay have been the early signs of poisoning from the contaminated food. I’m glad I caught it.
We are glad you trusted your gut and made a change when something felt off. Dogs can develop food sensitivities even after eating the same food for years. You did exactly what a good pet parent should do, listen to your dog and advocate for their health.
My dog Jade never ate commercial food, and it has been a constant battle com her vets because they insisted on the benefits of eating package
food. I can imagine how the whole thing works in terms of lobby with money, just because the vets feel so offended with my strong and constant distrust in commercial food. Besides, Jade hates and refuses to eat any kind of food that is cooked by myself. And so she is healthy, and we are happy, and it is a great pleasure to cook for her.
We love hearing that Jade is thriving and that you’ve found a routine that works for both of you. Every pet is an individual, and there is no single diet that is perfect for every dog or cat. The most important things are quality ingredients, proper nutrition, and keeping a close eye on your pet’s health over time.
We always encourage pet owners to stay curious, ask questions, and make informed choices. A happy, healthy Jade is the goal.
Isn’t it true that Canadian pet food contains INGREDIENTS that are from CHINA?? Just because the label on bag or can says “Made in..” USA or Canada, does not indicate total absence of toxins. it only means that the factory where all the junk is assembled and baked happens to be on this continent. Often many different brands use the same processing factory facility and equipment (without proper cleaning between runs). So how can one be any better than the next?
I had an elderly human friend, able to talk sensibly during her last days of life, who said she was in horrible agony due to kidney failure. So there you have it: what is being done to these poor silently suffering dogs is not a profit making joke, it is a mortal sin. And we hear that some of the WORST foods are the brands sold by vets.
You’re right that the 2007 melamine contamination was a devastating event and a major wake up call for pet food safety. The key is transparency, quality control, and knowing where ingredients come from. We always encourage pet parents to ask questions and choose foods that they feel confident feeding their pets.
To Buddy Cousatte, first of all I am really sorry for all that you and your dog went through. It is really sad.
Please can you tell me how do you prepare the dog food?
Thank you!
We prepare homemade diets with fresh, whole foods, balanced for the individual dog’s needs. Every dog is different, so the recipe depends on their age, size, and health.
My cat was on Science Diet (MD). I assumed food from a vet would be safe. Learning experience. I don’t eat products produced in China and don’t want my pets to eat that either. Fortunately, my food was not contaminated and my cat is fine. That did lead me to do better research about pet food – during the course of which I found Dr. Jones site. Just wanted to say thanks – as a cat owner, I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us.
Thanks for sharing your story. We’re glad your cat is doing well! The recall was a big lesson for many pet owners, and we’re happy to help you dig deeper and make informed choices for your pets. Give your kitty some extra love from us!
600 is not even enught to cover all the vet bills that i whould get but i did not have a dog at that time and thank god because lucy means everything to me i could not go throught that and for the guy that had to go throught that i am so so sorey to here that you lost someone that u love
We are so sorry for your loss and the pain so many families went through. You’re right, our pets are family, and no amount of money can replace that bond. Give Lucy an extra hug from us.
Both my beautiful springers died as a result of the contaminated food within weeks of each other. Forget the suit it won’t bring them back
We are so sorry you had to go through that. Losing one beloved pet is heartbreaking, but losing two so close together is unimaginable. No settlement can ever replace the bond, memories, and love they gave you. They were family, and we hope their stories continue to remind people why safer, more transparent pet food choices matter.
Yup, when you do the math it does indeed add up to a paltry $600 per pet. And how much do the lawyers get out of that?? 40%? 50%? So in reality, grieving pet owners who have in all likelihood shelled out hundreds or thousands of dollars each might, IF they quality get approximately $300 for their pain, suffering and economic loss. How fair is that? And it sounds as if the only compensation will be for vet and food costs. No compensation for pain and suffering because pets are not considered family members under the law, they are considered property. How very sad and inadequate. I wonder how many of these litigants from the pet food industry own pets? I wonder if they would consider this settlement fair? Something needs to change here.
You’re right, it was a heartbreaking situation for so many families. When you lose a pet or watch them suffer because of something that could have been prevented, the emotional cost goes far beyond the numbers on a page. We believe pets are family, and protecting their health starts with better transparency, safer choices, and holding companies accountable when things go wrong. Our pets deserve nothing less.
I just joined this website, read about recall dog food and now this scares me, what about Blue Buffalo puppy dry food? I don’t know who else to believe even my vet, but I’m hoping Blue Buffalo made in Connecticut is good for my puppy. Isn’t it? Thanks, Patricia from Vermont
We understand why recalls can feel scary. The good news is not every pet food is unsafe, and recalls do not mean a whole brand is bad forever. Blue Buffalo has had recalls in the past, like many big companies, but we always look at the specific food, ingredients, and how your puppy is doing. Keep asking questions and stay informed. Your puppy is lucky to have you!