Obtained through a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request, the FDA released reports of sick pets (adverse event reports) received by the agency through January 31, 2024.
Note: the released FDA reports provide this on every page…
“Disclaimer: This record contains information submitted to the FDA through established FDA reporting systems. Having a report does not, by itself, mean that the product listed is defective or the cause of an adverse event.”
We just reviewed the reports for the month of January 2024. The data tells us that:
971 complaints submitted to the FDA in the month of January 2024. This total does not include many complaints of bug-infested pet food, or others that do not appear to match the symptoms of the current pet food crisis.
The 886 report is a Purina product.
85 are other brands.
Some of the reports included more than one pet. The total number of sick pets received by the FDA in (only) January 2024 was 1,312.
Other pet food brand complaints received:
Pet Pride – 1
Signature – 1
Freshpet – 1
Open Farm – 1
Ol Roy – 1
From – 1
Natural Balance – 1
Kibbles n Bits – 1
9 Life – 1
Total pet death reports received by the FDA in (only) January 2024: 103 pets.
The pet food brands associated with these pet deaths:
Purine – 97
FreshPet – 1
Ol’ Roy – 1
Victor – 1
Kibbles n Bits – 1
Diamond 4 Health – 1
Instinct – 1
The pet symptoms given in the FDA report range from minor to many very serious. Many pet owners have reported their pets bleeding from the rectum, vomiting blood, and many pet owners have reported seizures.
One report gave this gruesome detail: “On the 23rdstreet of January I came home from work and my home looked like a murder scene. There was vomit and very bloody diarrhea from the front to the back of my home.” This pet owner submitted a report while her dog was hospitalized; we don’t know if the pet survived.
Many more reports were submitted to the FDA while their pet was hospitalized.
Many reports state that a change in diet resulted in their pet’s recovery.
Many reports implored the FDA to do something to prevent other pets from suffering like their pet.
Many reports say that after seeing reports of sick pets online (many specifically citing the Facebook group Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time – the original) – they changed their pet’s diet and survived the pet.
But…
Four months later, the FDA has not warned pet owners. The FDA did not provide how many consumer complaints the agency has received since January 31, 2024. The FDA said NOTHING to pet owners – even though we now know that they know how serious this issue is.
And…
On January 15, 2024, Purina Pet Food made the following public statement:
“Pet parents continue to be understandably scared by an online rumor that there is an issue with Purina pet foods. This rumor is false, and we are sorry to see the confusion and fear it causes pet owners. There are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence.”
When Purina made this public statement, the FDA (and we assume Purina itself) had already received 631 reports from pet owners that month (January 1, 2024 to January 14, 2024 ) – involving 839 sick pets. 86 of those pets died.
Unfortunately…sickening…we keep getting reports of sick and dead pets. The Facebook group received over 100 this week alone.
The FDA’s silence has done nothing to stop this very serious issue.
Again, we have to ask… how serious does it have to be before the FDA does something to protect our pets? Why are ONLY pet owners and advocates trying to protect pets?
Press here to read FDA Adverse Event Reports.
If your pet becomes ill that you believe is related to a pet food, please report it to the FDA. Press here for links on where and how to report.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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