Unverified reports dozens of dogs became ill

[RadishRose]

So far, this has NOT been verified, but this rumor is being investigated.

Snopes will continue to monitor the situation and update this article should new information arise.

n light of this rumor, our Quality Assurance team has reviewed all incoming consumer contacts, manufacturing, and quality assurance data (this includes ingredient testing, analytical data throughout the production process, and quality assurance post-production testing) for the past year.
Additionally, our Office of Consumer Affairs, which takes calls and messages from pet parents and works closely with our quality assurance experts, veterinarians, nutritionists, a veterinary toxicologist and many others, to investigate product complaints, has reviewed its data from the past year. Thorough investigations by both teams have found no data or trend that would indicate a product issue that has not been previously addressed.

“Just to reiterate, the group behind the rumor has not provided any evidence or facts to support this narrative. It currently is based on anecdotal stories from pet owners,” Westhoff said. “Nearly all calls we have received about this have been from scared pet owners who read about this false rumor online and are trying to understand if there is a problem with our food, which there is not. These rumors cause unnecessary stress and create a sense of understandable panic that they may be doing something wrong.”

What We Know About Social Media Reports that Purina Dog Food Caused Pets' Deaths
According to Purina's news release, several of the people perpetuating the claim are believed to market or sell products that “compete with Purina, and some have served as paid social media influencers to promote products and brands that are not being actively targeted by this rumor.”


Snopes posted in the Facebook group to solicit comments from members willing to provide a verified, confirmed report (i.e., necropsy from a veterinarian) that linked Purina dog food directly to their dog's illness or death. As of this publication, we have not received a response.


The FDA did not respond to specific questions about whether it was investigating claims related to the supposed illnesses and deaths associated with Purina dog food. Instead, the agency wrote in an email:
at least 10 had died as of Jan. 30, 2024, Purina

The FDA takes seriously its responsibility to help ensure that pet food ingredients are safe and nutritious. 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. The agency encourages pet owners or their veterinarians to submit reports of illness or other adverse events associated with pet food directly to the FDA by following the instructions on this page: How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

 

[Teacher Terry]

This is scary. I feed my dogs a combination of Purina pro plan wet and dry food.

 

[RadishRose]

This is scary. I feed my dogs a combination of Purina pro plan wet and dry food.

Yes, I hope its just a rumor. I was feeding Purina One but switched back to Pedigree about a month ago.