Hill’s Dog Food Recalled After Reports of Pet Deaths

Pet owners have raised serious concerns over Hill’s dog food products now that they have been associated with instances of poisoning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that Hill’s Pet Nutrition recalled some of their canned dog food items due to high levels of vitamin D.

Dogs who consume food with high levels of vitamin D can suffer fatal injuries or develop a critical illness. The company stated that many canines have a full recovery after being exposed to high levels of vitamin D, but pet owners still have to deal with the costs.

People have begun to share their stories online about how their dog was affected by these allegedly tainted products.

Hill’s Dog Food Recall Expanded

The initial recall only affected canned Hill’s dog food, not their dry dog food, cat food or any treats. The first recall included 26 different canned dog food formulas under the Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet brands. However, in March, CBS News reported that the recall was being expanded. Currently, 85 lots of 33 different varieties of Hill’s dog food have been recalled by the manufacturer. They are currently sold through retailers and veterinary practices.

Canine Health Consequences

The FDA stresses that even though vitamin D is a critical nutrient for dogs, higher levels due to ingestion of dog food could lead to potential health issues. Some of the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include excessive drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, increased thirst, and weight loss, according to Today. Renal dysfunction is one of the most serious symptoms associated with the consumption of extra vitamin D in dogs.Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient that plays a role in balancing calcium and phosphorus levels in mammals. However, unlike other nutrients, Vitamin D is not water-soluble. While excess amounts of other water-soluble vitamins can be excreted through urination, vitamin D builds up in adipose tissues and the liver. When there is too much vitamin D present, it can result in kidney failure.

What to Do if You Are Affected

Pet owners who purchased the products with date and lot codes listed on the recall notice are encouraged to dispose of the products immediately or return them to the retailer for a refund. Plenty of pet owners are also expressing their frustrations online. Dog owners have taken to the internet to share their concerns about this issue and to attempt to warn other pet owners about the dangers. Personal stories from dog owners detail how dogs got sick or even died just from eating food that consumers had no reason to think was dangerous.Aside from facing lawsuits from consumers who have lost their beloved pets, Hill’s is being penalized in other ways. The company has below a 2-star average review on Consumer Affairs with many recent complaints detailing people who have lost their animals or whose dogs have been exhibiting vitamin D toxicity symptoms due to the dog food. Many of these consumers argue that the manufacturer did not do enough to prevent the problem or to notify the public soon enough about the issues.

How Did This Happen?

The recall from the company does not mention the level of vitamin D inside the food, but it is believed to be significant enough to cause serious illness or even fatal injuries depending on the length of exposure. According to Poisoned Pets, Hill’s alleges that the problem was caused by a supplier error.

Are Other Brands of Dog Food Affected?

Many people who bought this dog food relied on the company to make and sell safe and healthy food for pets. Some pet owners might not have even realized the risks of vitamin D toxicity or known what symptoms to watch for, making it harder to determine the source of the problem when their dog started acting sick.The current recall is just one among several recent instances in which allegations of toxic ingredients have raised concerns among pet owners. Brands likeEvanger’s pet food and Gravy Train have faced class action litigation alleging their products contain pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize animals.According to CBS News, other brands that may contain toxic levels of vitamin D include Nutrisca, Natural Life, Sunshine Mills, ANF, Inc., Lidl Orlando Brand, Kroger, ELM Pet Foods, and Ahold Delhaize (Nature’s Promise). Ironically, all of these companies market their products as “all-natural,” “organic,” “grain-free,” etc. The problem appears to be traceable to the same supplier of a vitamin premix used in many brands of pet food. According to a Chicago attorney who is representing plaintiffs in a current class action lawsuit against Hill’s, thousands of pets may have been affected by the toxic food.

Join a Free Hill’s Pet Nutrition Dog Food Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Hill’s Science Diet or Prescription Diet canned dog food, you may qualify to join this Hill’s dog food recall class action lawsuit investigation.

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