(PRESS RELEASE) TOPEKA, KS — Hill’s Pet Nutrition announced on March 20 an expansion of its recall of select canned dog food products due to elevated levels of vitamin D. This recall expansion was caused by the same vitamin premix received from a U.S. supplier that was the source of the Jan. 31, 2019, recall and is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
While vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss. When consumed at very high levels, vitamin D can in rare cases lead to potentially life threatening health issues in dogs, including renal dysfunction. Pet parents with dogs who have consumed any of the products listed and are exhibiting any of these signs should contact their veterinarian. In most cases, complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding.
In the U.S., the affected canned dog foods were distributed through retail pet stores and veterinary clinics nationwide. No dry foods, cat foods, or treats are affected.
Pet parents in the U.S. who purchased the product with the specific lot/date codes listed should discontinue feeding and dispose of those products immediately or return unopened product to your retailer for a refund. For more information, contact Hill’s via its website or at 1-800-445-5777.
Impacted products outside of the U.S. will be subject to separate notices on the country-specific website. If you are outside of the U.S., check your own country’s Hill’s website for more information.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition learned of the potential for elevated vitamin D levels in some of its canned dog foods after receiving a complaint in the U.S. about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D levels. Its investigation confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error.
Following that recall, Hill’s conducted a detailed review of all canned dog foods potentially impacted by the vitamin premix with elevated levels of vitamin D. This review included: analyzing consumer complaints; reviewing veterinarian medical consultations; auditing its supplier; and reviewing its own manufacturing and quality procedures. The company then did additional product testing to ensure it had taken all appropriate action. The review determined that there were additional products affected by that vitamin premix, and it is for that reason that the company is expanding the recall. Hill’s has received a limited number of complaints of pet illness related to some of these products.
“As a company, and as pet parents ourselves, we deeply regret the concern that this recall and subsequent expansion have caused pet parents and any possible effect the recalled foods may have had on pets,” the company stated. “We are committed to doing more to uphold the standards of pet care that pet parents and veterinarians expect of us to earn back their trust.”