What to Do When Your Pet's Food Is Recalled

Check your pantry against the recall notice first

When a pet food recall happens, the first thing to do is find out whether you own the affected product. Go to the FDA's pet food recall page or the manufacturer's website and look for the specific brand, product name, lot number, and date code that match what you have at home. Recalls are almost never "all products from this brand" — they are usually one flavor, one bag size, or bags made during a specific week.

Write down the lot or date code from your bag. It is usually printed on the back or bottom in small text. If the code on your bag does not match the recall notice, your food is not part of the recall and is safe to use. If it does match, stop feeding it to your pet immediately and set the bag aside.

Keep the bag itself, even if it is mostly empty. You may need to show it to your veterinarian or return it to the store, and the packaging holds the proof that you owned the recalled product.

Key Takeaways

• Check the lot or date code on your bag against the recall notice — most recalls affect only one product line or production batch, not an entire brand.
• Stop feeding the recalled food immediately and contact your veterinarian if your pet has eaten it, even if your pet seems fine right now.
• Keep the bag and its packaging as proof of purchase, because you may need it for a refund or if your pet becomes sick.
• Report the recall to the FDA through their Safety Reporting Portal if your pet got sick after eating the recalled food.
• Switch to a different food gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid stomach upset, unless your veterinarian tells you to change immediately.

Contact your veterinarian before switching foods

Call your veterinarian as soon as you know you have a recalled product, even if your pet has not shown any signs of illness. Tell them the product name, lot number, and what the recall is for — common reasons include salmonella, listeria, or a foreign object like plastic or metal. Your veterinarian will tell you whether your pet needs to be examined or whether you should watch for specific symptoms at home.

Do not wait for your pet to get sick. Some contaminated foods cause illness days or weeks after eating, and your veterinarian needs to know your pet was exposed. If your pet does become ill — vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite — tell your veterinarian immediately that your pet ate recalled food. This information helps them diagnose and treat the problem faster.

Your veterinarian can also recommend a safe replacement food that matches your pet's age, size, and any health conditions. Switching foods too quickly or to the wrong product can cause digestive upset or make an existing health problem worse.

Switch to a new food gradually to prevent stomach upset

When you move your pet to a different food, do it over 7 to 10 days unless your veterinarian tells you to switch immediately. Mix the old food with the new food, slowly increasing the amount of new food each day. A typical schedule is 75 percent old food and 25 percent new on day one, then 50/50 on days two through four, then 25 percent old and 75 percent new on days five through seven, and finally 100 percent new food.

Watch your pet's stool during the switch. Soft stool or mild diarrhea is normal, but if your pet vomits, refuses to eat, or has severe diarrhea, slow down the transition and call your veterinarian. Some pets need an even longer switch period, especially if they have sensitive stomachs or digestive diseases.

If your veterinarian told you to stop feeding the recalled food immediately because of the type of contamination, ask them how quickly you should switch. In rare cases, they may recommend changing all at once and monitoring closely for signs of upset.

Return the recalled food or request a refund

Most manufacturers and retailers will refund or replace recalled pet food. You do not need a receipt if you have the bag and packaging. Contact the manufacturer directly through their website or customer service phone number — this is usually faster than going through the store.

Tell them you have a recalled product and ask what they need from you. Some will ask you to mail the bag back; others will issue a refund or replacement without requiring the product. Keep any confirmation number or email they send you. If the manufacturer does not respond within a few days, contact the retailer where you bought the food and ask them to process a return or refund.

If you paid with a credit or debit card and the manufacturer or store will not refund you, you can dispute the charge with your card company. You will need to show proof that the product was recalled — a screenshot of the FDA recall page or the manufacturer's recall announcement is enough.

Report illness to the FDA if your pet got sick

If your pet became ill after eating the recalled food, report it to the FDA through their Safety Reporting Portal on the FDA website. You will need the product name, lot number, the date your pet ate it, and a description of what happened — vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other symptoms. You can also include your veterinarian's name and clinic if they examined your pet.

The FDA uses these reports to understand how widespread the problem is and whether the recall needs to be expanded. Your report is confidential and helps protect other pets. If your pet required veterinary treatment because of the recalled food, keep the veterinary bill and records — you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer if the contamination caused serious illness or death.

Store pet food safely to catch problems early

Keep pet food in a cool, dry place and store it in an airtight container if possible. Write the purchase date on the bag or container so you know how old it is. Pet food does not stay fresh forever — most dry foods last 6 to 8 weeks after opening, and wet food lasts 3 to 4 days after opening.

Check your pet's food occasionally for signs of contamination: unusual smell, mold, discoloration, or visible foreign objects like plastic or glass. If you notice anything wrong, stop feeding it immediately and contact the manufacturer and your veterinarian. Do not assume it is safe just because there is no active recall — contamination can happen at any time.

Sign up for recall alerts from the FDA or the manufacturer's website so you know about problems as soon as they are announced. This gives you the fastest chance to stop feeding a contaminated product before your pet gets sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my pet ate recalled food but seems fine?

Call your veterinarian anyway. Some contaminated foods cause illness days or weeks later, and your veterinarian needs to know your pet was exposed. They may want to examine your pet or tell you what symptoms to watch for at home. Keep monitoring your pet for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite over the next few weeks.

Can I get money back for veterinary bills if the recalled food made my pet sick?

You may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer if the contamination caused serious illness or death. Keep all veterinary records and bills. Contact the manufacturer's customer service and ask about their liability policy. Some manufacturers settle claims; others do not. You can also consult a lawyer about whether a lawsuit is worth pursuing.

How do I know if a recall is serious?

The FDA lists the reason for each recall — salmonella and listeria are serious because they can cause severe illness, while a foreign object like plastic is serious if your pet could choke or be injured. Check the recall notice for the specific contamination and ask your veterinarian whether it poses a risk to your pet's age and health status.

What if I cannot find my pet food's lot number?

Look on the back of the bag, the bottom, or the side panel — lot numbers are usually printed in small text. If you cannot find it, take a photo of the bag and contact the manufacturer's customer service with the product name and purchase date. They can tell you whether your bag is likely to be part of the recall based on when and where you bought it.

Is it safe to donate recalled pet food to an animal shelter?

No. Do not donate recalled food to a shelter, rescue, or food bank. The contamination is still present and could make shelter animals sick. Dispose of it in the trash or ask the manufacturer how to return it safely.