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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
I have given several of these smart bones to all three of my dogs. Each dog is over 40#’s. I’ve never experienced any side effects with any of them , but these stories scare the hell out of me !
I’m horrified dogs are dying ! This is so sad.
Hasn’t there been any investigation ?
My dog was rushed to emergency 4K!!! Last month. He is picky but likes these treats. Now I gaBe him one yesterday and this morning and low and behold I rushed him to the vet again. I don’t know where to turn because after reading this I certainly would like it off the market for false advertising and I would like a refund because now it will be pricey again .
My dog loves these treats but he has been refusing to eat his food and only wants these treats. Now, I know why. I have 5 or 6 bags. Some are partial bags. I decided he wasn’t eating his food because of the treats. He will be upset but I can’t take a chance by continuing to give them to him. He is too precious for me to lose him. So no more dream bones. I hope he will be okay. He’s been eating them for several years, but I am very worried about his future health.
I have had no such problems with any of dream bones products. My dog loves them and as been enjoying them for over a year now.
I HAD NO PROBLEM USING DREAM BONES PRODUCT I AM GUESSING NOT ALL DOG SYSTEM CAN HANDLE THIS PRODUCT. MY DOG LOVES THEM AND SHE ENJOYS THEM FOR MANY YEARS.
Yesterday was the year anniversary of our 8 year old dog’s death from having large non-rawhide chicken SmartBone bones, also made by PetMatrix. She was dehydrated, vomiting, had diarrhea, lethargy, and within days of ingesting the product (it was a Christmas gift), died at the emergency vet after an overnight stay. I have filed a formal complaint with the FDA (no response) and wrote warning reviews on chewy.com, Petco, and Petsmart and none of them published it but Petco did stop selling the product. She was a healthy dog until that week.
Same here so far 4K. It needs to be taken off the market for false advertising and making dogs seriously ill. I am truly sorry for your loss. How can we stop them?
My Pomeranian died from chocking on one of these bones. I contacted the company, the FDA & every store I ever bought them from. Most of my comments were ignored or deleted. It has been 2 years, but I will never forget that day or stop spreading the work about these product:
my dog started vomiting blood and was rushed to the vet er. They said the dream bones were the cause!! Large vet bill and almost lost my best friend! DO NOT EVER GIVE THESE TREATS TO YOUR PETS!
Same here! 4K at emergency vet. It’s definitely the treat because I gave it to him this morning after a month and same symptoms.
Why would you even give it to him again after he got sick and cost you 4k?! That irresponsible on your part
I seriously doubt this person gave the treat to her pet a second time knowing that it was that treat that caused the bout. Sounds like when it happened again she realized what had happened the first time at that point.
Just returned from the vet hospital with my 5 month old tea cup Chihuahua who became deathly ill from eating half a dream bone , she started crying in pain 5 minutes after ingesting it and then wouldn’t eat are drink and extremely lethargic, just got back from vet and $500 vet bill , they gave her pain medicine to help her sleep tonite , she’s had severe diarrhea since we got back home with her from vet and severe drooling called vet & they said it was all related to toxic bone not pain meds that they gave her and to keep and eye on her through nite , I can’t sleep so worried she might die through the nite , I feel so horrible giving this toxic treat to my dog if I had known I would never have bought them at our Safeway store grocery store here in Canada, don’t I repeat don’t feed this poison to your pet it almost killed ours ,preying she makes it through the nite , anyone else with info on class action lawsuits please add me to the list , thank you ,signed a pissed off pet owner to say the least ! I can be reached at email Tracy _6525@yahoo.ca
My yorkie has spent 4 days in the vet hospital because of these bones, her digestive tract was so messed up, she had severe diarrhea, and was weak she could not even walk. I almost lost my best friend. I will never give her a treat again.
My yorkie has spent 4 days in the vet hospital because of these bones, her digestive tract was so messed up, she had severe diarrhea, and was weak she could not even walk. I almost list my best friend. I will never give her a treat again.
So is there a class action suit on this or not?? If so who do I contact??
Both my Bischons became very ill with serious digestive problems , vomiting and bloating .Tremendous vet bills and all because of these bones.The company must know it’s product is harmful to animals,but you won’t see any reviews anywhere , I thought I was buying a good treat for my little ones .turns out I wasn’t , read the labels and dont buy treats from China.
All 4 of our dogs were given Dream bones ribs. All for are or have been sick with vomiting and diarrhea. Took one to the vet. She is severely dehydrated. Trying to keep liquids down her. Will see how they are all doing Monday. This is after ask 4 received one treat each of Dream Bones rib treats
It is 5 AM where i live and i still have not been to sleep. My 2 year old shih tzu has been non stop throwibg up , shaking and diarrhea after cinsuming 2 dream bones earlier . Im waiting for ny vet to open and will be rushing her right in. She has alrrady thrown up 1.5 solid undigested smart bones, came out almost whole and she had eater it over 10 hours ago.
My sweet dog died also after giving her a dream bone
She chocked on it
I had to learn the hard way
My heart is broken
We need to make awareness for other dogs
Can you please contact me? My English Bulldog dies today because he choked on this product. They need to stop selling these. They come from China and the website is misleading, to say the least. My cell 214 755 2960