Owners Demand Answers After Hill’s Pet Nutrition Recall

After the recent Hill’s Pet Nutrition recall, pet owners are telling their stories about how the alleged contamination affected their animals.

In January, several varieties of Hill’s Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog food products were recalled due to “potentially elevated levels of vitamin D”. The recall was announced through their website and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall was expanded in late March.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition reportedly discovered the potential for excessive vitamin D after they received a complaint about a dog exhibiting symptoms of elevated vitamin D. After receiving the complaint, Hill’s Pet Nutrition reportedly investigated the issue and determined that the elevated vitamin D occurred due to a “supplier error”. This discovery prompted the Hill’s Pet Nutrition recall.

“We care deeply about all pets and are committed to providing pet parents with safe and high-quality products,” the FDA recall alert states. “Hill’s has identified and isolated the error and, to prevent this from happening again, we have required our supplier to implement additional quality testing prior to their release of ingredients.”

A full list of affected products, including their date or lot codes, is available on the Hill’s Pet Nutrition recall website.

Excessive levels of vitamin D can cause a variety of health issues in dogs. Although the nutrient is essential for pet health, too much vitamin D can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss. Symptoms will vary depending on the amount ingested and the length of exposure, but severe cases can involve kidney dysfunction and heart disease.

Fox News recently reported the stories of several dog owners who lost their pets due to the issue.

Jeff M. of Tennessee reportedly fed his Italian greyhound Olive Hill’s wet and dry food for three of her four years of life. After New Year’s, Jeff says a vet visit revealed that Olive had lost five pounds in less than a year – significant weight loss for an Italian greyhound. The very was “immediately concerned”, but was confused by a blood test that showed kidney failure. After extensive suffering, Olive passed away.

“The amount of suffering she went through was ungodly,” Jeff said to Fox News. “The total shock that a four-year-old dog could just suddenly become deathly sick and there wasn’t any explanation. I was with her that last month she was alive and it was horrendous to watch.”

Jeff and other grieving pet parents have taken to social media sites like Facebook, calling on Hill’s Pet Nutrition for answers. The company reportedly reaches out to users, but interactions with the pet food manufacturer have been called “discombobulated”. Jeff says that, upon calling the company, he was transferred repeatedly before hearing a message that they aren’t taking calls.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition says it is “heartbroken” by the animal deaths and is “taking it very seriously”.

“Hill’s people are working with pet parents to listen to their concerns. As pet parents ourselves, we understand the gravity of health issues with our pets. This week we have extended our call center hours and tripled the number of people on our phones, so we can take time with every pet parent,” the company told Fox News.

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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