Weekly Dog Health & Climate News Digest-— Week of August 13–19, 2026
Weekly Dog Health & Climate News Digest
Week of August 13–19, 2026
Introduction
This week's dog news roundup highlights food and medication safety, veterinary health, parasites and infectious disease, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and environmental issues affecting dogs.
Pet Food Safety
UK Dog Food Recall Linked to Reports of Pets Losing Their Sight
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/18/dog-food-recalled-after-pets-left-unable-to-open-eyes/
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: A UK-based fresh dog food company called Years has voluntarily recalled products after several pet owners reported eye problems in their dogs, including some dogs reportedly unable to open their eyes, after eating the food. The company's recipes include pork shoulder with apple stew and turkey thigh with cranberry fricassee. Investigators are reportedly examining whether an ingredient such as buckwheat could be connected to the illnesses, since some research has linked buckwheat consumption in dogs to a higher risk of liver disease. The company says it pulled the affected products proactively while working with regulators and veterinary experts to determine the cause. Multiple UK outlets, including the Telegraph and the Guardian, continue to cover the story as new details emerge.
Why This Matters: If you feed your dog fresh, subscription-style food, especially from UK-based brands, check the company's recall notices and watch for eye redness, cloudiness, or apparent vision changes. Any sudden eye symptoms in a dog warrant an urgent veterinary call, since some causes of vision loss can become permanent if untreated.
Hundreds of Dog Food Bags Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns
Source: https://www.fox10tv.com/video/2026/08/15/hundreds-dog-food-bags-recalled-over-salmonella-concerns/
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: A dog food manufacturer has recalled hundreds of bags of product after testing raised concerns about possible salmonella contamination. Salmonella in pet food poses risks not only to animals, who can develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and lethargy, but also to the people who handle the food or clean up after a sick pet. The recall was announced in the same region as an extreme heat warning, another reminder of how many pet-safety stories are stacking up this week. Consumers are urged to check lot numbers and best-by dates on bags already purchased and to stop feeding any product that matches the recalled batches.
Why This Matters: Check any dog food currently in your home against the recalled lot numbers, since salmonella can sicken both pets and the people who handle their food. Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog shows vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after eating a recalled product.
FDA Recalls Adequan Joint Injections for Dogs and Horses Over Glass Fiber Contamination
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: American Regent Inc. is recalling select lots of Adequan, a widely used injectable joint medication for dogs and horses, after the FDA warned the medicine may contain trace glass fibers. Adequan is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to manage arthritis and joint disease in aging or active animals, so the recall affects a medication many pet owners may already have on hand or scheduled for their pet's next injection. Health officials say the contamination was caught during quality checks, and the company is working with regulators to identify and remove the affected lots from circulation nationwide.
Why This Matters: If your dog receives Adequan injections, ask your veterinary clinic to confirm whether your specific lot number is affected before the next dose. Report any unusual reaction at an injection site to your vet promptly, since foreign material in an injectable product can cause irritation or more serious complications.
Calgary Animal Rescue Investigated Over Dangerous 'Diet' Advice for New Dog Owners
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: The Calgary Humane Society has opened an investigation into a local dog rescue accused of recommending a dangerous 'dieting' protocol to new adopters, reportedly including feeding dogs grapes, tropical fruits, and periods of fasting. Grapes and raisins are well known to veterinary toxicologists as capable of causing acute kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts, and the rescue's founder is said to have downplayed the danger as a 'myth.' The story has drawn sharp criticism from veterinarians and animal welfare advocates, who worry inexperienced new owners could follow the advice without realizing the risk.
Why This Matters: Never take dietary advice from a shelter, rescue, or online source without confirming it with a veterinarian first, since grapes, raisins, and unsupervised fasting can be genuinely dangerous for dogs. If a dog has eaten grapes or been put on an unusual feeding plan, contact a vet or animal poison control promptly, as toxicity symptoms can be delayed.
These 8 BBQ Staples Pose Serious Health Risks to Dogs
Source: https://www.wwlp.com/clear-the-shelters/these-8-bbq-staples-pose-serious-health-risks-to-dogs/
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: With backyard cookouts still common in late summer, veterinary experts are reminding pet owners that several popular barbecue foods can be dangerous for dogs. The list includes items like hot dogs, ribs, and corn on the cob, which carry risks ranging from choking and intestinal blockages to pancreatitis triggered by fatty foods. Corn cobs in particular are a common cause of obstructions requiring emergency surgery, while fatty ribs can trigger painful and potentially serious pancreatitis. The article encourages hosts to keep dogs away from grilling areas and to offer dog-safe alternatives at gatherings.
Why This Matters: Keeping barbecue scraps away from dogs, and warning guests not to sneak them treats, can prevent a costly and painful emergency vet visit. If a dog does get into corn cobs, bones, or fatty meat, watch for vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain and call a vet promptly.
Grain-Free Dog Food Debate Continues Amid Heart-Disease Concerns
Source: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/voss-addressing-grain-free-diets/
Category: Pet Food Safety
Summary: A veterinary columnist revisits the ongoing debate over grain-free dog food, which came under scrutiny after the FDA began investigating a possible link between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition, in dogs. The column explains that grain-free food can be appropriate for dogs with diagnosed grain allergies or sensitivities, but isn't automatically healthier for the average dog, and cautions against diets heavy in legumes and potatoes without professional guidance. The connection between diet and canine heart disease remains an active area of veterinary research.
Why This Matters: Talk to your veterinarian about whether a grain-free diet is appropriate for your individual dog, especially for breeds already prone to heart disease, rather than assuming it's inherently healthier. Diet-related heart problems can develop silently, so regular checkups that include heart health screening are worthwhile for dogs on nontraditional diets.
Veterinary Medicine
Vets Warn 'Designer' Flat-Faced Dog Breeds Face Lifelong Health Problems
Source: https://www.aol.com/articles/cuteness-kills-really-happens-designer-050000000.html
Category: Veterinary Medicine
Summary: This article examines the health consequences of breeding dogs for extreme physical traits, particularly brachycephalic, or flat-faced, breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs. Their abnormally shaped skulls often leave shallow eye sockets that make eyeballs vulnerable to injury or even prolapse, alongside well-documented breathing difficulties and heat intolerance. The piece traces how breeding trends driven by 'cuteness' and social media popularity have outpaced attention to welfare, leaving many dogs with costly, chronic medical needs. Veterinary and rescue groups quoted describe a steady stream of brachycephalic dogs surrendered once owners realize the scope of ongoing veterinary costs.
Why This Matters: Prospective owners of flat-faced breeds should expect higher veterinary costs and ask breeders or shelters detailed health questions before adopting. Current owners should schedule regular checkups, since early management of breathing and eye issues can meaningfully improve quality of life.
Veterinarians Play Key Role in Breeding Healthier Dogs, AVMA Speaker Says
Source: https://www.avma.org/news/veterinarians-play-key-role-breeding-dog-health-speaker-says
Category: Veterinary Medicine
Summary: At a recent conference, a representative from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Division discussed how veterinarians can help guide responsible dog breeding practices to improve long-term health outcomes. The talk covered welfare considerations veterinarians should weigh when advising breeders, including genetic screening for hereditary conditions and setting realistic limits on breeding dogs that may pass on painful or life-limiting traits. The speaker emphasized that veterinarians are often the first line of defense in catching problematic breeding practices before health issues become widespread within a bloodline.
Why This Matters: If you're buying a puppy from a breeder, ask whether a veterinarian has been involved in genetic screening and health clearances for the parents. Reputable breeders welcome that scrutiny, and it can help you avoid a puppy with an inherited condition that means a lifetime of veterinary bills.
How to Help Your Dog Live Longer, According to Experts
Source: https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/help-dog-live-longer-experts-4699106
Category: Veterinary Medicine
Summary: This feature rounds up veterinary advice on factors that influence canine lifespan and 'clinical health,' the quality of a dog's health throughout life rather than just its length. Experts point to a mix of genetics, weight management, dental care, regular checkups, and mental stimulation as key factors owners can control, even though breed and genetics set some baseline limits. The article notes that obesity is one of the most common and preventable threats to a dog's long-term health, contributing to joint problems, diabetes, and heart strain over time.
Why This Matters: You can meaningfully extend both the length and quality of your dog's life through manageable steps like maintaining a healthy weight, keeping up with dental cleanings, and scheduling routine veterinary visits rather than waiting for a problem to appear. Ask your vet to help set weight and exercise goals tailored to your dog.
Parasites
Vets Warn Late Summer Is Peak Tick Season
Source: https://paradepets.com/dogs/peak-tick-season-dog-safety
Category: Parasites
Summary: Veterinary experts quoted in this piece note that many pet owners mistakenly assume tick season winds down after spring, when in reality late summer can bring a second wave of tick activity in many parts of the country. Ticks can transmit serious diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, some of which can cause long-term joint, kidney, or blood problems if untreated. The article urges owners to keep up with veterinarian-recommended tick prevention through the fall, check dogs thoroughly after outdoor time, and know how to safely remove an attached tick.
Why This Matters: Don't let up on tick prevention just because summer is winding down, since late-season activity can be just as risky as the spring peak in many regions. If you find a tick or notice lethargy, joint pain, or fever in the weeks after a bite, contact your veterinarian.
Infectious Disease
FDA Authorizes Emergency Drug to Treat New World Screwworm in Dogs
Category: Infectious Disease
Summary: The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for a drug to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and puppies, as U.S. and Mexican agriculture officials work to contain the parasitic fly's northward spread. New World screwworm larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe and potentially fatal wounds in infected animals, and cases have already been identified in parts of Texas and New Mexico. The emergency authorization gives veterinarians a faster treatment option while the standard approval process continues, particularly for dogs that live in, travel to, or return from affected regions.
Why This Matters: If you live in or travel with your dog to Texas, New Mexico, or other affected regions, ask your veterinarian about prevention and what wound symptoms to watch for. Any wound that isn't healing normally, especially one that seems painful or is attracting flies, should be evaluated by a vet right away.
Extreme Weather or Heat
Extreme Heat Sweeping the U.S. Puts Pets at Risk of Heatstroke and Paw Injuries
Source: https://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/article/pets-extreme-heat-safety-heatstroke-signs-22383526.php
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: As dangerous heat continues across much of the country, this piece rounds up veterinary guidance on recognizing and preventing heat-related illness in pets. Warning signs of heat stress include excessive or frantic panting, heavy drooling, vomiting, and lethargy, all of which call for immediate cooling and veterinary care. The article also highlights the often-overlooked risk of hot pavement, which can blister and burn a dog's paw pads within seconds on the hottest days, and recommends walking dogs during cooler morning or evening hours instead.
Why This Matters: Press the back of your hand to the pavement for several seconds; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws, so shift walks to early morning or evening. If a pet shows signs of heatstroke, such as collapse, bright red gums, or extreme panting, treat it as a medical emergency.
Police Say Temperature Inside Car Where Dog Was Left Reached 160°F
Source: https://kfor.com/news/instagram/police-say-temperature-in-car-where-dog-was-left-was-160/
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: Police in Oklahoma City reported that the interior temperature of a car where a dog had been left reached a dangerous 160 degrees Fahrenheit, illustrating how quickly a parked vehicle can become deadly even on a moderately hot day. A local veterinarian quoted in the coverage stressed that pets, like people, should never be left unattended in a parked car during warm weather, even for a short errand, since temperatures can spike within minutes. The incident comes amid broader regional heat warnings and record-setting temperatures affecting both people and animals.
Why This Matters: Car interiors can reach life-threatening temperatures within minutes, even with windows cracked, so never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle during warm weather. If you see an animal in distress inside a hot car, contact local law enforcement or animal control right away.
Air Quality
Should Dogs Spend Less Time Outside During Wildfire Smoke? A Vet Answers
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/relationships/pets/a73378351/dogs-wildfire-smoke/
Category: Air Quality
Summary: With wildfire smoke affecting air quality across parts of North America this summer, this article brings together a veterinarian's and a dog trainer's advice on keeping dogs safe when skies turn hazy. Inhaling wildfire smoke can cause respiratory irritation in dogs just as it does in people, and the experts recommend limiting strenuous outdoor exercise, watching for coughing or labored breathing, and checking local air quality index readings before extended time outside. The article also weighs in on whether dogs benefit from wearing masks, noting that fit and tolerance issues make them impractical for most pets compared to simply limiting outdoor exposure.
Why This Matters: On days with poor air quality from wildfire smoke, shorten walks, skip strenuous exercise, and keep dogs indoors as much as possible, especially older pets or those with heart or respiratory conditions. Watch for coughing, wheezing, or unusual fatigue after outdoor time, and contact a vet if symptoms don't resolve once air quality improves.
Climate Change
New York City Will Compost and Target Dog Waste in New Environmental Push
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/nyregion/dog-poop-city-council-nyc.html
Category: Climate Change
Summary: New York City Council has advanced legislation addressing dog waste as both a public health and environmental issue, including a program to install at least 1,200 additional public waste receptacles equipped for dog waste around the city and to explore composting options for collected waste. Uncollected dog waste can contribute to water pollution when it washes into storm drains and waterways, and it carries bacteria and parasites that pose health risks to other pets and, in some cases, people. Supporters argue that better infrastructure will make it easier for owners to responsibly dispose of waste, reducing the environmental and public health burden citywide.
Why This Matters: Picking up after your dog and disposing of waste properly is a simple but meaningful way to reduce water pollution and disease transmission in your community, wherever you live. If your area lacks adequate dog waste infrastructure, supporting programs like New York's can make responsible pet ownership easier for everyone.
Parasites
Veterinary Guidance Highlights Pets' Summer Allergy and Parasite Flare-Ups
Source: https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/from-the-guidelines-summer-flare-ups/
Category: Parasites
Summary: The American Animal Hospital Association published guidance for veterinary teams on the range of factors that commonly cause allergy and skin flare-ups in pets during summer months. The guidance identifies overlapping triggers, including environmental and seasonal allergens, ectoparasites like fleas, secondary bacterial or yeast infections on already irritated skin, and food-related triggers that can become more noticeable during the busy summer entertaining season. The piece is aimed at helping veterinary professionals more systematically diagnose the root cause of a pet's itching rather than treating symptoms alone.
Why This Matters: If your pet seems unusually itchy or is developing skin irritation, a veterinary visit is worthwhile rather than assuming it's 'just summer,' since effective treatment depends on identifying the specific trigger. Staying current on flea and parasite prevention year-round remains one of the simplest ways to head off flare-ups.
Extreme Weather or Heat
As Temperatures Rise, So Does the Number of Abandoned Animals
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: This report examines a troubling seasonal pattern in which pet abandonment cases tend to rise alongside summer temperatures, as some owners struggle with the added burden of keeping animals cool, or abandon pets during summer travel rather than arranging care. Animals left outside during extreme heat have little ability to escape dangerous temperatures or, in some regions, flooding, leaving them vulnerable to heat illness and exposure. Rescue organizations quoted describe a seasonal spike in intake during the hottest months, straining already limited shelter resources.
Why This Matters: If summer travel or heat is making pet care feel unmanageable, contact a shelter, rescue, or trusted friend for temporary help rather than abandoning an animal, since options like boarding and surrender-assistance programs exist for these situations. If you spot an abandoned or heat-distressed animal, contact local animal control promptly.
Wildfire Rescue Effort Saves Cats and Dogs Displaced in Utah
Category: Extreme Weather or Heat
Summary: Volunteers with St. George PAWS made a roughly 2,400-mile round trip to transport cats and dogs displaced by wildfire to a safer location, part of a broader effort to help animals whose homes and shelters were affected by fire activity in the region. Getting displaced animals into clean, stable environments is described as a crucial first step in helping them recover physically and emotionally after the trauma of evacuation. The effort illustrates the significant logistical challenges rescue groups face when wildfires force the evacuation of shelters and foster homes, sometimes requiring animals to be relocated hundreds of miles away.
Why This Matters: If you live in a wildfire-prone area, an evacuation plan for your pets, including a go-bag with food, medication, and carriers, can make a life-or-death difference if you need to leave quickly. Supporting rescue organizations that handle wildfire displacement is one concrete way pet owners can help animals affected by increasingly severe fire seasons.
Air Quality
Record Heat and Wildfire Smoke Pose Summer Risks for Montana Pets
Source: https://billingsgazette.com/article_89bc3407-02f5-40a2-8cf3-4374bb30ccf0.html
Category: Air Quality
Summary: After Billings hit a record 111 degrees in July, this article examines the compounding risks that both extreme heat and wildfire smoke pose to pets across Montana this summer. Record heat doesn't just threaten pets directly through heatstroke; it often coincides with wildfire activity that further compromises air quality, creating a one-two punch for animals that spend significant time outdoors. Local veterinarians quoted are urging owners to adjust exercise schedules, provide ample water and shade, and pay closer attention to any pet with pre-existing heart or lung conditions during these high-risk stretches of summer.
Why This Matters: When heat and wildfire smoke overlap, as is increasingly common in the western U.S., pets face compounding risks that call for more frequent water breaks, shorter outdoor sessions, and closer monitoring for breathing or heat symptoms. Build a habit of checking both temperature and air quality forecasts before outdoor activity in fire-prone regions.
Conclusion
Staying informed about seasonal, environmental, food-safety, and veterinary risks can help owners recognize problems earlier and make better decisions with their veterinary team.