Dog Health News - August 20-August 28
Dog Health News
Dog Food Brand "Years" Recalls All Fresh Meals After Eye Problem Reports
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: The fresh dog food brand Years has pulled all of its fresh meal products after receiving reports of dogs developing sudden eye problems. Industry coverage indicates the company was first notified of potential issues in late July, and by the time of the recall roughly 192 customers had reported unverified eye complaints in their dogs. Veterinary reporting suggests the symptoms are consistent with a condition resembling keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), commonly known as "dry eye," which is typically a chronic condition but one that most affected dogs respond well to once treated. The company has urged all customers to stop feeding the recalled meals immediately and has offered guidance for owners whose pets show signs of eye irritation or vision changes.
Why This Matters: If your dog has recently eaten fresh meals from this brand and is squinting, blinking excessively, or showing cloudy or red eyes, stop feeding the product and call your veterinarian promptly. Early treatment of dry eye conditions generally leads to a good outcome, but delays can allow the condition to worsen.
Fromm Family Foods Recalls Canned Dog Food Over Possible Metal Contamination
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: Fromm Family Foods has voluntarily recalled its Turkey Pâté wet food and Diner Classic Milo's Meatloaf Pâté wet food for dogs due to the possible presence of small metal fragments. Reporting on the recall notes that dogs who ingest metal pieces can show symptoms such as choking, gagging, or vomiting, and in more serious cases, internal injury from sharp fragments. The recall affects specific lot and date codes of the canned products, and separate coverage indicates thousands of individual cans have been pulled from store shelves as a precaution while the company investigates the source of the contamination.
Why This Matters: Check any canned Fromm dog food in your pantry against the recalled lot numbers on the company's website. If your dog has eaten the affected product and shows choking, drooling, or vomiting, contact your veterinarian, since metal fragments can cause internal injuries that aren't always immediately obvious.
Raw Dog Food Brand Recalls Over 600 Bags After Salmonella Contamination
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: A raw dog food manufacturer has recalled more than 600 bags of product after testing revealed salmonella contamination. Salmonella can sicken both pets and the people who handle contaminated food, particularly during preparation and cleanup. A veterinarian quoted in coverage of the recall, Dr. Langford, recommended that owners discuss raw-food safety more broadly with their veterinarian, including any dietary supplements, before making changes to a pet's diet, given the higher contamination risk associated with raw and minimally processed foods compared with cooked or commercially sterilized products.
Why This Matters: If you feed a raw diet, check your supply against the recalled lot numbers and wash your hands, bowls, and prep surfaces thoroughly after handling raw pet food. Talk to your veterinarian about the relative risks and benefits of raw feeding, especially for households with young children, elderly members, or anyone immunocompromised.
49% of Dog Owners Say Their Pets Eat Higher Quality Meals Than They Do
Source: https://studyfinds.com/pets-eat-better-meals-than-owners/
Category: Research
Summary: A new survey found that in many American households, dog owners believe their family dog is eating better than the humans who feed it — with 49% saying their pet's meals are higher quality than their own. The finding points to a broader trend of owners prioritizing premium, fresh, or specialty pet food, sometimes at the expense of their own nutrition, and reflects how central pets have become to household spending and daily routines.
Why This Matters: There's nothing wrong with feeding your pet well, but this is a good prompt to check that your own diet isn't taking a back seat. If you're investing heavily in premium pet food, ask your veterinarian whether that investment is actually meeting your pet's nutritional needs, since "premium" and "appropriate" aren't always the same thing.
Early Signs of Ticks and Fleas in Dogs That Are Easy to Miss
Category: Parasites
Summary: Ticks and fleas remain among the most common parasites affecting dogs, and veterinary sources emphasize that catching an infestation early is crucial to keeping pets healthy and comfortable. The coverage highlights subtle warning signs that owners often overlook, including mild scratching, small skin bumps, and behavioral changes that can precede a more visible infestation, underscoring the importance of routine at-home checks in addition to preventive medication.
Why This Matters: Regularly running your hands through your dog's coat, especially after time outdoors, can help you spot ticks or flea dirt before an infestation takes hold. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss, or skin irritation, talk to your veterinarian about year-round parasite prevention appropriate for your region.
Pet Heat Safety — Preventing Heat Distress
Source: https://houstonspca.org/pet-heat-safety-preventing-heat-distress/
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: The Houston SPCA has issued guidance on recognizing and preventing heat-related distress in pets as extreme heat continues across much of the country. The organization notes that while panting is a normal way for dogs to cool down, excessive panting, restlessness, or difficulty settling can be early warning signs that a dog is struggling to regulate its body temperature and may be heading toward heatstroke, a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Why This Matters: Learn the difference between normal panting and distress panting in your own dog, and avoid exercising pets during peak afternoon heat. If a dog seems unable to settle, is drooling excessively, or appears wobbly, treat it as an emergency and cool the animal gradually while heading to a veterinarian.
SoCal Officer Breaks Car Window to Save Five Dogs in Distress
Source: https://ktla.com/news/california/newport-beach-5-dogs-rescued-hot-car/
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: A police officer in Newport Beach, California, broke a car window to rescue five dogs left inside during extreme heat, an incident that has renewed public discussion about the dangers of hot cars and whether owners who leave pets in similar conditions should face legal consequences. Coverage notes that pets cannot cool themselves as effectively as humans and that temperatures inside a parked car can climb to dangerous levels within minutes, even on days that don't feel unusually hot outside.
Why This Matters: Never leave a pet in a parked car, even briefly or with the windows cracked — interior temperatures can become life-threatening in minutes. If you see an animal in distress in a hot car, contact local police or animal control immediately rather than waiting.
How Summer Heat and Thunderstorms Affect Your Dog's Health
Source: https://www.wwlp.com/clear-the-shelters/how-summer-heat-and-thunderstorms-affect-your-dogs-health/
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: Beyond direct heat risk, this piece notes that summer storms present an additional hazard for dogs, since thunder, lightning, and abrupt weather shifts frequently trigger fear and anxiety in pets. The combination of extreme heat and unpredictable storm activity this time of year can compound stress on dogs, affecting both their physical safety and emotional wellbeing, particularly for animals that are already anxious or noise-sensitive.
Why This Matters: If your dog shows signs of storm anxiety — pacing, hiding, or excessive panting during thunderstorms — talk to your veterinarian about calming strategies or anxiety management options. Combine storm-safety planning with heat precautions, since both risks tend to peak during the same summer stretch.
Elevated Levels of Mercury, Arsenic Found in Dog Run at Herbert Von King Park
Source: https://www.brooklynpaper.com/arsenic-mercury-herbert-von-king-dog-run/
Category: Air Quality
Summary: A popular dog run in Brooklyn's Herbert Von King Park was closed after testing found elevated levels of mercury and arsenic in the area. The park had initially cited only "the potential presence of contamination" when closing the run, and coverage indicates the city's health department is now working through follow-up steps based on the test results, though specifics on remediation timelines were not detailed in available reporting.
Why This Matters: If you regularly visit a specific dog park or run, keep an eye out for closure notices or posted advisories from your city's parks or health department. If your dog has been showing unexplained symptoms after visits to a park later found to be contaminated, mention that history to your veterinarian.