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In a new consumer class action lawsuit, a woman from California claims certain PetMatrix dog treats aren’t as digestible as the label says they are.
Plaintiff Charlotte Docken says PetMatrix LLC of New Jersey falsely represents its Dream Bone dog treats in an effort to get sales from consumers who wouldn’t have bought the treats otherwise.
Docken says the label for PetMatrix Dream Bone treats says the product is “99 percent digestible.” The packaging also features a picture of a small dog, implying that the product was safe for small dogs to digest, she argues.
In fact, Docken alleges, PetMatrix Dream Bone contains many indigestible ingredients. She says the third ingredient listed on the ingredient list is sorbitol, which according to her is not digestible. Docken claims sorbitol is widely used as a laxative, and she says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies it as an “indigestible sugar alcohol.”
Docken claims other ingredients in PetMatrix products were placed there to function as a laxative, to give pet owners the illusion that the overall product is more digestible than it really is. She believes PetMatrix has known since it first started making Dream Bone treats that the product contains a large proportion of indigestible ingredients.
Docken says she purchased PetMatrix Dream Bone dog treats at a Walmart in California. After giving a Dream Bone to her dog Maxie, she says, Maxie didn’t respond well to it. Docken says Maxie began showing symptoms of a digestive blockage, including vomiting, avoiding food, and bloody discharge.
X-rays at her veterinarian’s office revealed a large obstruction in Maxie’s abdomen. After surgically removing the object, the veterinarian discovered it was a large piece of a dog chew that matched the Dream Bone Docken had given the dog earlier.
Docken says that the Dream Bone was the only new food item she had introduced to Maxie shortly before the surgery. According to her veterinarian, had they not quickly performed the surgery, Maxie would have died.
Docken now argues that PetMatrix’s conduct violates several provisions of California consumer protection law. Her PetMatrix class action lawsuit raises claims for unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business acts and practices, misleading and deceptive advertising, and untrue advertising. She also includes one claim for violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
The plaintiff seeks to represent a nationwide Class of all persons who purchased PetMatrix Dream Bone dog treats since May 2012. She also proposes a subclass consisting of all Class Members who purchased Dream Bone treats in California. She anticipates both the Class and subclass will number in the thousands.
Docken is asking the court for certification of the proposed Class, damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, attorneys’ fees and court costs. She also seeks a court order forbidding PetMatrix from continuing the conduct she complains of here.
Plaintiff’s counsel are Todd M. Friedman and Adrian R. Bacon of the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman PC.
The PetMatrix Dream Bone False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Charlotte Docken v. Petmatrix LLC, Case No. 8:16-cv-00994, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
UPDATE: PetMatrix Dream Bone False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on February 23, 2017.
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101 thoughts onPetMatrix Class Action Says Dog Treats Are Dangerously Mislabeled
My cockapoo had a violent reaction to these bones just this week! Continual bouts of diahhrea and vomiting. The vomit looked like little plastic squares. I didn’t realize it was the bone I had given him earlier in the week – who would have though a dog bone as advertised as Dreambones would cause this! I bought the treats at Target in San Diego just recently, attracted to their claims of non rawhide and 99% digestible. I’m so lucky my dog didn’t die but I think he came close!
This company should recall this product! How do I join the class action?
My daxy had these and was sick for 3 days! Vomiting, unable to use bathroom, her stomach you could hear churning for hours on end. ?? Im so lucky she didn’t die!
You should have gotten her to the vet the first day!!! SHE is lucky she didn’t die on your watch!!
I searched for a treat my puppy could chew safely and she loved the taste of these. It was the only new thing I added and within hours she had very loose stool. It took 24 hours to clear up. I’m so thankful nothing worse happened after reading these comments!!!!! The packaging is EXTREMELY misleading. Most treats say “not suitable for dogs under 6 months” if not okay for puppies. There is a puppy on the front of it. This should say “not suitable for dogs of any age”. This is horrible.
Dreambones killed one of my parents dogs last night. They got to the vet in time for the other. Vet says they were poisonous and has called Poison Control.
My dog would get sick and have loose stools. So I stopped using and he got better.
My JoJo is a bichon and he is 10yrs. old. I have been giving him these for years. Well he was very sick and throwing up panting and up all night. I thought he was going to die. Took him to vet they said he has inflamed stomach and intestinal. All he can eat is chicken and rice. I pray he gets better. I will never buy them again. I will tell everyone I know about this. How could anyone sell anything to harm a animal that brings me and others so much love.
I just bought these and decided to research because something told me not to give them to my dog becsuse of the ingredients, like artificial sweeters, I think I read that is toxic to dogs!
Thank you
These and the larger 3 pack bones gave my Shepard pruritus (severe itching of the skin), abdominal alopecia along with soft runny stools with what appeared to be mucus, but in fact was the slimy partially digested bone. Had been giving them to 3 dogs as treats and 2 of the 3 resulted in skin/coat/stool issues. Took forever to figure out it was the treats causing the issues, not to mention all the costs of blood work, skin scraping and all the other tests for allergens.
Please if you care for your dog, then avoid these, even if they are nicely priced in your local bargain outlets. You are getting what you pay for.
My dog is also pooping blood from these. I didn’t realize this was what caused it and now it’s happening a second time!!
My dog has been pooping blood.. from these rawhide..