This post was originally released on July 30th, 2012. It’s been edited/updated for re-release. All these years later, do dog treats from China still pose a risk for our pets?
I’m pretty picky when it comes to treating my dogs. For many years now I’ve been hearing about the potential dangers of pet products imported from China. According to the FDA
, between December of 2015 and August of 2018 there have been over 5,000 claims of “illnesses associated with consumption of chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats, many of which involve products imported from China, which produces much of the jerky pet treats on the market. The reports involve more than 6,200 dogs, 26 cats, three people, and include more than 1,140 canine deaths.”
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A majority of the reports of illness involved chicken-based treats that were sourced from China.
Symptoms after eating such treats have ranged from GI upset to kidney disease. Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds seem to be impacted similarly. Testing to determine why, exactly, treats are causing illness have thus far been mostly inconclusive. A single root cause for all the reported associated illnesses has not been determined.
Back in 2013, some jerky-type dog treats were removed from the US market. They were found to contain low levels of antibiotics.
The FDA noted that there was a decrease in the number of illness reports associated with Chinese dog treats after those products were pulled. While this may sound like a step in the right direction, I think it’s important to remember that Chinese manufacturers of pet products are just not held to the same standards as manufacturers in other countries. For pet owners in the US, I recommend looking for treats that are sourced and manufactured within the US or Canada. You can also make your dog homemade treats!
Symptoms to Watch Out For
If you do decide to feed commercial jerky treats, especially those imported from China, signs of illness to watch out for include decreased activity, decreased appetite, GI issues including vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, and/or urination. Rarer symptoms thought to be associated with Chinese dog treats include tremors/convulsions, hives, and skin irritation. If you feel your pet has been impacted by jerky pet treats, you can visit this page on the FDA website to learn how to report your case.
Prevention is the Best Cure
More and more brands of high-quality, safely made, treats are becoming available. I personally feel that the safest course of action is to avoid treats and toys imported from China altogether. Unfortunately, China doesn’t seem to have the best safety record, especially when it comes to pet supplies. Treats and toys are supposed to be something we can feel good about giving our pets. I can’t even imagine how upsetting it would be for one of my dogs to get sick, or even die, from something that was supposed to bring them joy.
I’d love to hear from some of my readers. What safe brands of treats or toys do you like to buy for your pets? What are some steps you take to ensure products you use for your pets are as safe as possible?
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