Choosing pet food can feel like navigating the wild west of kibble. One bag promises a “premium” dinner, another boasts “human-grade” ingredients, and a third insists grain-free is the cat’s meow. Flip them over, and you’re greeted by ingredient lists, calorie counts and nutritional statements that aren’t always easy to decode. Recent pet food recalls have given pet parents another reason to scrutinize the fine print.
The Food and Drug Administration’s 2026 list includes dog and cat foods recalled over possible salmonella and listeria contamination, vitamin deficiencies and foreign material, including plastic. But there’s no need to panic or toss every unfamiliar ingredient out with the litter. A recall doesn’t necessarily mean an entire brand is unsafe, just as fetching packaging doesn’t guarantee that the food inside is right for your pet.
So, what should you check before filling the bowl? Veterinarians explain how to decode pet food labels, separate meaningful information from marketing fluff, shop safely and respond if your pet’s dinner lands on a recall list.
Recent Pet Food Recall
On Aug. 14, Oma’s Pride voluntarily recalled one lot of its Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe after a sample of the frozen raw dog food tested positive for salmonella. The recall covers 639 6-pound bags with lot number BB012729 and a best-by date of Jan. 27, 2029. The food was distributed in 11 states and sold directly to consumers online.
Three illnesses in dogs have been reported, according to the FDA, but no human illnesses have been linked to the product. Consumers should stop feeding the recalled food, safely dispose of it and thoroughly clean and sanitize any bowls, utensils or storage containers that came into contact with it.
Why Pet Food Is Recalled
Pet food may be recalled because of bacterial contamination, nutritional deficiencies, foreign material, undeclared ingredients, packaging problems or labeling errors.
Recalls can also begin in different ways, said Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian and director of pet health information at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. A manufacturer may voluntarily recall a product after finding a problem, the FDA may recommend a recall following an inspection or the agency may order one if the company does not act. The severity depends on the reason.
“Although any recall should raise some concern, there are a wide range of reasons as to why pet foods may be recalled,” said Dr. Natascha Hedegaard, a veterinarian and in-house veterinary adviser at JoyFull Pet.
Owners should read the full announcement and check the product name, package size, lot number and expiration date. A recall usually does not affect every product sold by a brand, but if a company has multiple recalls, owners may want to discuss alternatives with their veterinarian.
The FDA maintains a searchable animal and veterinary recall list. Hohenhaus also recommends subscribing to FDA alerts.
What to Look for on a Pet Food Label
Before diving into the ingredient list, start by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement. It should say the food is “complete and balanced” for your pet’s species and life stage.
“That is the first thing to check,” Hedegaard said. This means the food is meant to be a full-on meal instead of just a snack, topping or something extra.
The label should indicate whether the food is good for growth, for adult maintenance or suitable for all ages. Puppies, kittens and adult pets have different nutritional needs. If a pet has health issues, it might need a special diet recommended by a veterinarian.
Hohenhaus uses four basic criteria when recommending food:
- It should be readily available.
- Complete and balanced for the pet’s life stage.
- Appropriate for the animal’s health needs.
- Something the pet will eat.
After all, even the best-rated food won’t help if your cat turns up her whiskers or your dog stages a hunger strike. Pet owners should also keep an eye on calorie counts, which Hohenhaus pointed out are often overlooked. Feeding guidelines are just a baseline because calorie needs can vary based on a pet’s species, size, age, activity level and overall health.
Do ‘Natural,’ ‘Premium’ and ‘Human-Grade’ Mean Better?
Not necessarily. Experts say some terms on pet food packages are regulated, while others are just marketing speak. According to Hedegaard, “Neither of these terms tells you much about actual quality on its own.”
Premium has no formal standards, so a higher price doesn’t mean better nutrition. Natural is defined but doesn’t guarantee the food is healthier. Grain-free means no grains, but that doesn’t make it healthier; most dogs can digest grains, which provide nutrients and fiber. Human-grade has specific rules about storage and handling, but a lack of this label doesn’t mean lower quality.
Instead of relying on flashy claims, pet owners should look for food that’s complete and balanced for their pet’s species, life stage and health needs.
Are Meat Meal, Byproducts and Grains Bad for Pets?
Many people tend to avoid ingredients like these by calling them “fillers,” but that label can be misleading. “Meat meal, animal byproducts, corn and grains have nutritional value,” Hohenhaus said. “They help to balance the diet.”
Meat meal is animal tissue that has had most of its water and fat removed. Animal byproducts can include nutrient-packed organs, and grains such as corn can add energy, fiber and other nutrients to a well-balanced diet.
Just because a familiar whole meat is at the top of the ingredient list doesn’t automatically mean the food is better. Ingredients are listed by weight, and fresh meat contains a lot of water, which can skew its position before processing.
Instead of focusing on one ingredient, it’s better to look at the whole food formulation, the adequacy statement, the manufacturer and how your pet reacts to the food.
Is Raw or Freeze-Dried Pet Food Safe?
Raw food can carry harmful bacteria that might spread to pets, people, bowls, hands and kitchen surfaces. It’s also trickier to transport and store safely. Freeze-dried doesn’t automatically mean it’s clean, so it’s important to follow the package instructions and wash your hands after handling it.
Hedegaard recommends talking with a veterinarian about the best feeding options for your pet, based on the animal’s needs and what works for your household.
Hohenhaus suggests skipping raw pet food because it’s more likely to have dangerous bacteria. If you’re immunocompromised, it’s best not to handle raw pet food, and extra care should be taken in homes with young children or older adults.
How to Buy and Store Pet Food
Purchase pet food from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer whenever possible. When shopping through an online marketplace, check the seller’s identity, not only who ships the order. “On Amazon specifically, ‘fulfilled by Amazon’ doesn’t mean ‘sold by’ the actual brand,” Hedegaard said. “Check who the seller is, not just who ships it.”
Be cautious of prices that appear too good to be true. Before serving the food, inspect it for:
- Broken seals or damaged packaging.
- Dented, leaking or bulging cans.
- Missing, inconsistent or altered lot codes.
- Unusual smells, colors or textures.
- Blurry printing, misspelled words or unfamiliar branding.
At home, wash your hands before and after handling pet food and clean bowls and utensils after each use. “Use hot water or your dishwasher to wash the utensils and bowls after each use,” Hohenhaus said. She also recommends refrigerating open cans and storing open bags in a cool, dry place.
Keep the food’s original packaging until it has been used. The original packaging contains the lot number, expiration date and other information needed to identify a recalled product or report a problem. If you transfer dry food into a storage container, consider placing the entire bag inside rather than pouring the kibble directly into it.
“If you’re ever unsure, most manufacturers will verify a lot code or batch number if you contact them directly,” Hedegaard said. “It’s worth doing before feeding it to your pet if anything feels off.”
What to Do if Pet Food Is Recalled
Contact your veterinarian even if your pet appears healthy, and seek emergency care for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or appetite loss.
If your food matches the recalled product:
- Stop feeding it immediately.
- Follow the notice’s return or disposal instructions.
- Keep discarded food away from other animals.
- Contact your veterinarian, even if your pet appears well.
- Seek urgent care if your pet becomes sick.
- Save the packaging and remaining food.
- Submit a report through the FDA’s pet food complaint portal.
Reporting by Lauren Paige Richeson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.