FDA Warns Against Dog Treats From China

Dog with Treats

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still reportedly trying to pinpoint the cause of an illness outbreak affecting an increasing number of dogs all over the country. According to a recent warning issued by the FDA, dog owners need to be aware of the source of their pet treats. Many chicken jerky treats imported from China have been making dogs severely ill.

A few weeks ago, 70 dogs becoming severely ill or died from chicken jerky treats imported from China. But that number has spiked to more than 350 after the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a new warning to pet owners to beware of the Chinese imported pet treats.

“FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea; increased water consumption and/or increased urination,” says the FDA warning.

At this point, regulators have been unable to identify a specific brand, or even a specific contaminant, that may be responsible for causing the illness. However, the warning follows several others dating back to 2007 and 2008 when the FDA issued similar warnings about chicken jerky treats that were making dogs ill, an anomaly that remains to be solved.

Many popular pet treats and pet food products are questionable to begin with, as the source of their ingredients are typically undisclosed. Even pet food products manufactured by domestic companies may contain ingredients sourced from other countries, and sometimes contaminants slip in undetected, as was the case in 2006 when Diamond Pet Foods recalled 19 varieties of dog food that was contaminated with aflatoxin.

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Amanda Jane Finnell
12 years ago

That’s why the NASC is such a great organization.  It’s an American company that does 3rd party evaluations of pet supplements.  Their members uphold the highest standards of practice, so even if the ingredients are from China they make sure your pet’s supplements are safe.  It’s always best to know where your pet’s treats and food have come from.  

Amanda Jane Finnell
12 years ago

That’s why the NASC is such a great organization.  It’s an American company that does 3rd party evaluations of pet supplements.  Their members uphold the highest standards of practice, so even if the ingredients are from China they make sure your pet’s supplements are safe.  It’s always best to know where your pet’s treats and food have come from.  

Rchobanuk
Rchobanuk
12 years ago

How frightening

Rchobanuk
Rchobanuk
12 years ago

How frightening

June_queenbee
June_queenbee
12 years ago

i will ban all china imported dog food or treats. we care so much 4 our pets

Kathleenhastings1
Kathleenhastings1
12 years ago

OMG…ESPECIALLY MY ONE DOG IS SO ADDICTED TO THESE…Is there anyone who produces these in the United States???? 

Sheilalaurenz
Sheilalaurenz
12 years ago

i dont know i havent seen any but i think ill make my dogs treats because i love them to much to wouldnt want to see them sick i would rather come up with a treat plan thats totally made from home dont trust there health to no one it starts with the heart wanting to take care of our babys with four legs just like children good luck with finding them just a careing pet owner

Ken Bryant
12 years ago

If you’re looking for a SAFE, REAL ‘American Made’ chicken jerky for dogs or cats, we started making our own Chicken Jerky for our 3 dogs after we ran across the FDA warning of 2008 about Chinese chicken treats making dogs sick or killing them. It turned into a cottage “Mom & Pop” business and we now sell our TriPom Chews online and in 20 stores in the New England area. Our products are the only homemade, handmade, ‘Maine Made’, ‘American Made’ Chicken Jerky produced from whole, restaurant-quality chicken breasts containing NO Additives and NO Preservatives. Our 3 Pomeranians (our babies!) taste test every batch for quality.

Ken Bryant
12 years ago

If you’re looking for a SAFE, REAL ‘American Made’ chicken jerky for dogs or cats, we started making our own Chicken Jerky for our 3 dogs after we ran across the FDA warning of 2008 about Chinese chicken treats making dogs sick or killing them. It turned into a cottage “Mom & Pop” business and we now sell our TriPom Chews online and in 20 stores in the New England area. Our products are the only homemade, handmade, ‘Maine Made’, ‘American Made’ Chicken Jerky produced from whole, restaurant-quality chicken breasts containing NO Additives and NO Preservatives. Our 3 Pomeranians (our babies!) taste test every batch for quality.

Deedrumr_1
Deedrumr_1
12 years ago

It would be nice if the items being tagged as dangerous were named in the report. Btw, what treats are NOT made and imported from China?

Kent
Kent
12 years ago

I have an email that will detect where products are manufactured– if you want me to fwd the email let me know.  thanks 

j.a.Molina
12 years ago
Reply to  Kent

Where can I subscribe!?

Tedsonly1
Tedsonly1
12 years ago
Reply to  Kent

Please email this article that detects where products are manufactured. Thank you so much!

a veterinarian
a veterinarian
12 years ago

The disease/syndrome the treats are causing is called Fanconi Syndrome. This is also a genetic illness seen within certain breeds of dogs.

Kepcw
Kepcw
12 years ago

Why is it that American. Attlee farmers and pig farmers are not using their product for this? I read labels at PetSmart and the vast majority of food and treats and toys are from China. Many others are from other countries. It is sad.

kathy
kathy
11 years ago
Reply to  Kepcw

because china has cheap labor, americans cost to much to hire, slave labor in china,

meg
meg
12 years ago

Why the hell are our dog treats, toys, and foods being made in China?! Why is anything?! We have plenty of money being used for nonsense here we can make our own. Just as the corporate rich!

Elaine Steskal
11 years ago

Romney wants to do away with the FDA. Is this what you want? do we keep getting poisoned from china!

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