Chicken jerky treats continue to kill dogs, Walmart brand blamed while FDA investigates
A troubling news report released this week: The Food and Drug Administration is investigating another chicken jerky treat brand suspected of making dogs deathly ill.
The brand, Golden Rewards, is a private label brand of Walmart’s; It has only been out a year and already it is blamed for causing illness and death of dogs nationwide.
Three guesses where the treats are from and the first two guesses don’t count:
China.
Dogs have been given the diagnosis of acquired Fanconi’s syndrome, a rare kidney disease commonly associated with jerky treats and poultry meal imported from China.
The FDA calls it the “hallmark” disease among dogs thought sickened by jerky made in China.
In the report, the FDA said that the complaints about Golden Rewards treats involved 23 sick dogs including three deaths.
Walmart, unmoved by the report said in a statement:
Meanwhile, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Safe Chicken and Meat for Children Act of 2015 on Friday. DeLauro explains:
“I introduced this bipartisan legislation to prevent Chinese meat and chicken from being used in federal nutrition programs given China’s atrocious history of poorly-enforced food safety laws. It is a moral imperative to ensure the food we serve America’s children is safe…”
She points to the FDA report of thousands of pets in the United States that were made sick or died from eating pet treats containing contaminated chicken imported from China that was found to be laced with illegal antibiotics.
DeLauro points to an alarming Asia Inspection study that found that almost half of Chinese food-processing plants fail to meet internationally acceptable standards. In some cases, laboratory tests found abnormal levels of pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, bacteria or viruses that could put consumers at risk.
Last year, a hearing (broadcast live) before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Pet Treats and Processed Chicken from China: Concerns for American Consumers and Pets, raised important concerns about the safety of poultry from China and called on government to address the problem.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Brown, said in his opening statement that he called for the hearing to
“…seek answers for American consumers, pet owners, farmers, and parents about the safety of pet treats and processed chicken and animal feed from the People’s Republic of China…Many of us raise our animals almost like members of our families. That’s why it’s so troubling that we still do not know, seven years in, if you will, what’s causing the deaths and illnesses of thousands of dogs.”
Consumers should be aware that these problems are not restricted to just jerky pet treats – any pet food product containing poultry/chicken meal, or poultry/chicken by-products imported from China could conceivably be contaminated as well.
Importantly, because manufacturers are not required to list the country of origin of each ingredient used in their product, consumers assume when the label indicates a product is made in the US they are led to believe the ingredients originated in the US. Even more opaque, is the claim that a company’s ingredients were sourced in the US, when in fact, it could only mean that their supplier is located in the US – but where the supplier obtains their goods is not revealed.
What consumers need to know is that any poultry product or ingredient that claims to be manufactured in the United States could be dangerous, because while many of the products are, in fact, assembled in the USA, they could still include ingredients sourced in China.
To report a complaint about any pet food to the FDA, visit their pet food complaint page here.
If you want to submit a complaint to the FDA specifically about the jerky treat products or want to learn more about the issue, visit the FDA’s jerky pet treat information page.
SOURCE: FDA investigating if dog treats made Atlanta pet sick
Thanks to Susan Thixton of Truth About Pet Food for alerting me to this article.
Pet Food Safety News publishes reader-supported investigative reporting on commercial pet food, industry practices, and regulatory issues affecting consumers. It has no financial ties to pet food companies. Donations help fund the research, writing, and publishing costs behind this work and support continued reporting on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the pet food industry. If you value this reporting, please consider making a donation.
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99 Comments
Colleen m
My dog was treated for Pancreatitis and I had no idea Golden Rewards Duck Jerky treats from China were poisoning her. It was the only thing she ate other than a quality brand vet prescribed dog food
Ginny Healy
I fed my dog some of the Walmart chicken jerky. It seemed rather like plastic. I became a little worried and looked up the reviews. They were bad. I hadn’t given very much of the jerky but I became worried. I threw it out. She became a little ill a couple of days later. I took her to the vet & he gave her antibiotics. She continued to be ill and died. I will never know for sure what actually caused her death, but it all started after she had some of those treats. My heart is broken and I cry every day for her.
Patricia Granger
Why is there still “Golden Rewards” chix jerky still on the shelves at Walmart if this is true. Tell me that! I really want to know. I just fed my Akita and Cocker these! Why hasn’t it been pulled. If you know this then why is it on the shelves. That makes you responsible to us , the unsuspecting consumer! I’m so serious! Answer this! Why is it on the shelves??? Not doing your jobs? My dogs are my family!!!!!!! I’m so pissed!!!!
Barbara Ciccone
Are good and fin triple kabobs safe for my dog.
Patty
It’s extremely heartbreaking. I see more than often people spending hundreds or thousands at the breeders but when it comes to nutrition, they don’t want to spend it on their food. Just buy a 50 LB bag of crap kibble once a month with no thought of what’s in it. Read labels. Chicken by product can mean anything in AFFCO standards (pet food and livestock as well) It can be bird feces and be an acceptable by product. Don’t allow your dogs to suffer throughout their lives to save a buck. Feed them real wholesome fresh foods. You’ll end up spending more on vet bills in the long run if you don’t. Stay away from kibble. Stay away from chicken meal,by product or grain free. Kibble replaces the grains with pea flour and barley and stuff that’s hard to convert into energy. If you love your pet, read up, study labels. They will love you for it.
Virna Victorino
My pets have been eating this for two years and they are healthy and loves the sweet potatoe wrapped in chicken
Laura Reed
Mine have been eating them for two years also. If this is true I won’t be buying them anymore though.
Linda
Last week I opened a new pkg. of “Golden Rewards” sweet potato wrapped with chicken treats, for my little Boston terrier, gave him one. The next morning he was vomiting yellow foam, I took him to the Vet, he spent 2 days there with an extreme
case of gastrointestinal inflammation. He is home now but still taking prednisone
and an anti-vomit pill. The sw. pot./chicken were bought at Walmart, Oct. 2, 2020.
Buyer’s Beware! I am not buying them again.
Brittany
My previously healthy, 7 year old Bolognese dog is currently in the hospital fighting for her life as she is at end phase liver failure. It came on very suddenly after feeding her Golden Rewards Chicken Jerky treats. I usually don’t feed her treats and hadn’t given her that brand. The vet and i could not think of anything else that would have caused something like this to onset so quickly and be so severe. I am spending thousands of dollars in hopes she can recover.
MJ
When a loved one passes we as humans tend to want to blame someone or something. Unfortunately this is not it, after several years there simply not enough data or evidence to support this claim.
If you want to know the truth, take your fur baby/babies to the vet for regular visits. Have their feces checked. If they happen to die, get an autopsy.
Judy Beaver
Has this information been posted on FACEBOOK?
Sharma Whitbeck
He died from the treats not the streets !!!
Sharma Whitbeck
I am wondering if there is a class action suit I Would like to join that suit my dog died on Sunday, August 4, 2019 from the streets I am devastated he was a blue nose pitbull papered and he was my baby part of my family these treats need to be banned now before they break anyone else’s hearts or make any dog suffer again
Mike Christeson
I believe I lost my dog to these treats!
Brianna
My dogs both just got insanely ill for 5 days each from these treats!!! They need to be taken off the market!!!
Stacy C Kinsler
This article was written 4 years ago. Any updates?
Dorothy Smith
I was feeding these treats to my Chihuahua. She was laying around most of the time. However about a week ago she just suddenly almost died . She was barking and suddenly stopped. I looked at her She was laying on her tummy with her face on th chair arm. Completely unresponsive. All of a sudden she peed herself and I knew I was losing her. Still no response. I prayed for her and she slowly came back from death’s door. Her kidneys had not been acting much. Like maybe a spoonful. My son checked it out when he found out what kind of treats she was eating. It took several days for her to get back to normal, and she is only alive because of prayer.. I was horrified to see this info and know walmart is doing nothing about it, while we are losing our fur babies. No food from China should be on the shelves, especially Golden Rewards Chicken Jerky. They are killing our dogs. She also vomited foam,and had diarrhea (spelled wrong).Was beginning to convulse when I prayed.. I know I said she was back to normal but yesterday she was spitting up foam and then vomited. Just laying around today. The only treats she is getting now is Purina Beneful Incedibites. I am afraid she is not over the effects of Golden Rewards.
Mike Christeson
Had the same thing happen!
Pigman
My dog is a picky eater, but loves Golden Rewards Chicken Jerky Dog Treats.
She has been loving them for many years now and always gets a clean bill of health at the vets.
The only reason I am on this web site is that I was Googling this product to see if I could get a better deal then Walmart’s.
Mike Fisher
Like pigman, I’ve been giving my Pug the GR chicken jerky for years with no problems. Walmart KNOWS how big a target they are for lawsuits… so I’ve got to believe they wouldn’t be continuing to sell this item if they had any uncertainty about its safety. Three dog deaths based on hundreds of thousands of packages sold is good enough odds for me. I don’t fully doubt others that claim this product harmed their pet, but I don’t believe this is any more harmful than hundreds of other junk products being marketed for our pets.
Lea B
My dog is the same, a picky eater and his favorite snack … until last night. I opened a new package of his sweet potato wrapped with duck and gave him one within 20 minutes his heart rate increased, shakey, lethargic. It was late and monitored him, by morning he was his usual self. This morning, not realizing it was the snack ( thinking he had gotten into something as dogs sometimes do) , only to have the same side effects appear. It connected it was the treat.
He is doing well now and seems to have recovered. I started researching and found this is not a first time for this product. Ill be making homemade sweet potatoes for him from here on out. I called the company and was not taken seriously. I have filed a complaint with the FDA .
Please be cautious. As I said for a couple of years Dexter loved this snack until this one package and after reading articles I will never chance it again.
GLORIA PROFUGHI
I just got back from rushing my Pomeranian mix, Chloe, to the vets. She had one Golden Rewards chicken jerky treat yesterday. Within a couple hours she started having diarrhea which worsened overnight. By 7 am Chloe had vomited once, was dehydrated, and the chronic diarrhea had tiny streaks of blood. The vets examined Chloe, gave her fluids, gave her one shot for nausea and another shot. Then they sent her home on 2 prescriptions and a bland diet.
Chloe is resting off and on between bouts of diarrhea, and I pray she gets better soon! and not worse.
MARY
I don’t eat none of that Jap shit NO KIND OF FOOD I EAT FROM THEM PEOPLE OVER THERE NOTHING AND I REALLY DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE STUFF THAT’S IN DOG FOOD BUT READING ABOUT THIS STUFF HERE I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THESE FOLKS FOR OUR ANIMALS WE ARE TOO AWESOME OF A COUNTRY TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH S*** LIKE THIS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP BECAUSE I KNOW ME AND MY TEMPER IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN TO ANY OF MY ANIMALS DOGS CATS I DON’T CARE IF IT’S A BUG I’M GOING TO BE IN JAIL FOR LIFE NEVER GETTING OUT BECAUSE I’M GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY BOTTOM LINE MY ANIMALS ARE MY HEART I HAVE NO KIDS THEY ARE VERY SPECIAL TO ME LET’S GET SOMETHING DONE EVERYBODY ASAP SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE SORRY-ASS WALMART
Brendan J Tuthill
Do these affects also occur in the other meats? I.e., does the Golden Rewards Beef Jerky treats cause the same type of issues, or is it chicken, specifically?
Ken Totten
In addition to vomiting foam, seizure and diarrhea, my dog would sometimes pant like she was too hot, but with a contorted face, an expression like a forced smile. Also, her pupils would be dilated before and during the seizure (probably typical of any seizure… can help signal ahead of it by a minute… also usually licking lips oddly beforehand). Had run out of this jerky and seizures had stopped for a couple months. Just shopped at Walmart and got some to “reward” my little dachshund girl. Gave her some before a walk, and she had a seizure about 20 minutes later on the walk, just enough time to hit a dog’s fast digestive system. There I was cradling my doggie in the middle of field while she convulsed. I have a big bag of this Golden Rewards chicken jerky. Going to send samples for analysis. How can Walmart not know this is happening? It’s been several years now since people complained… still selling this lethal junk. Does none of the management have dogs? Or do they not shop at Walmart?
joeatta polk
My dog is having the exact same symptoms she is a mix breed of husky and Australian shepherd. I couldn’t believe it when I read your post. I have had her to the vet many times and it’s been a mystery. Thank you..
Ken Totten
Finally identified the cause of my dog’s seizures: Golden Rewards chicken jerky. She vomited thick foam, and had seizures for years, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea. Thought it was genetic… Thinking of picketing in front of Walmart… disgusted. Hope there is no permanent damage…
Jaime
These are all 3 of my dogs favorite treats. I usually check to see if they are made out of the US and I am pretty sure that these aren’t. ??? I will never buy them again and I was just about to go to Walmart to go shopping. My dogs have always been fine but now I am scared to death. Thank you for this information!
Diane Snoop
The bag indicates these are a product of China.
Chris
I swear when I started buying these 8 months ago they stated made in the USA. Now I see Product of China on the bags. Going back to dehydrating my own chicken treats from boneless breast again as I did for years. I would never have bought these if I knew they were from China. I also noticed a $ 2.00 price increase in them 2MONTHS AGO. may be that’s when Walmart started importing them and they say new look coming soon on the bag.
Teresa Sovel
Right now my dog is trying to recover from a diagnosis of pancreatitis.his favorite snack was Golden Rewards chicken wrapped biscuits. He loved them but I truly believe it has caused this sickness n he is still trying to recover.
Heather Coulls
Surely our countries can produce dog food/treats which won’t cause health issues for our pets. I don’t buy anything from China
joe
If only they could produce it cost effective though…
Barbara
What are the symptoms? My German Shepard just had a seizure. She has been eating Golden rewards chicken jerky and sweet potato wrapped with chicken.
Rebecca
Started w Vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting a thick foam she was choking on. Seizures. Low body temp. Low blood sugar, then cardiac arrest
Sonja
Thanks for sharing ive been buying them for my chi for sometime not no more tho why arnt they taken off the shelves yet thanks for sharing.
Rebecca Hunter
If you are on Facebook, please find my page and share (Becky Clodfelter Hunter)
Rebecca Hunter
My Yorkie, Zoe, passed away from theses treats a few days ago. It was horrible to watch. Nothing the dr’s couldn’t do for her. My other dog, and Aussie got sick as well. I had a 3rd dog that didn’t eat the treats, and is fine. My heart isn’t breaking so bad. Still have the bag. Have submitted a report with FDA. Filled out a report w/ Local Walmart. I am so heart broken. I need to find out where to get them tested. Tried to called Golden Rewards, but they are not open until Monday. My sweet baby could still be alive if they would have stopped selling them them. I can’t sleep at night and I wake up crying uncontrollably. Something I don’t want anyone else to go thru. I will do whatever I can to get these removed.
My email is tal.hunter@hotmail.com if anyone knows where to submit a sample- or if anyone else who has lost a dog to these treats.
Emily
So sorry for your loss. I can not believe these are still being sold. My dog had them just one day and got so sick, we didn’t think she would make it. Threw them in trash and she did pull through. I am so mad at the company and at Walmart for putting these on their shelves. I will never buy my baby treats made outside the US ever again and will only buy from pet stores. I hope this company gets shut down!!
Emi mahmoud
I am so very sorry about your loss :(
Barbie
Lost my service baby he went everywhere with me he was 9 years old and passed away do to these
Tom
Please call me. Tom my dog just died. From the same treats. 406-494-1166
Emily
Why are these still being sold?! Got them for our Chiweenie yesterday, just yesterday and today she started throwing up, diarrhea and just wants to lay there. Bring her outside and she just lays under a bush. I swear if anything happens to her it will be my life long goal to bring this company down!
Rebecca
My dog passed away from these a few days ago. I am beyond heartbroken. She was 4years old- 8 lbs
Ang
I gave these to my chihuahua thinking it was a “healthy” alternative to rawhide. She has been sick. The same night she woke us up screaming out in horrible pain and now she’s bleeding from her rectum. She’s been to the vet and had all kinds of tests done and they can’t figure out the problem but they told me to go online to see if these have been recalled. I pray she gets better!!!
Claudia
I just read your post about the chicken jerky treats. I hope your dog recovered. My yorkie was very sick for several weeks. All blood work was normal. Yesterday the vet went in for exploratory surgery and found a perforation in his intestines. I’m sure it was the Jerky treat that was sharp and made the hole. He’s only 5 lbs. he made it thru the surgery and is still at vets on iv antibiotics and they are worried about peritonitis…
Louis Williams
Son of bitches killed my German shepherd, won’t get away with it,
Kim
Are the small biscuit wrapped with chicken peanut butter flavored bad for dogs. The ones made in China
TJ
I just googled this because this exact brand made my dog sick last night. VERY SICK. Friggin Wal-Mart knows about it and doesn’t care because it makes them money. This is what’s wrong with people. greedy bastards.
Barbara
Obviously I know to avoid these but how do you know if another treat or good that says manufactured in America also contains meet from China. I don’t know what brands to trust.
TOM
The higher management at Walmart should eat poison! Walmart is a heathen operation!!
DONNA ROTHFEDER
Does any one know of pending law suits against Walmart and/or Golden Rewards ? I am very interested in joining such a suit. The death my poor Schatzi endured should not happen to any pet. Let try to make the pet food industry accountable for their actions.
Erick
Mother fuckers! Why are they allowed to still sell this shit!?! I want to be apart of a class action lawsuit. Take this shit off your selves!
Kirby
What what ?? I’m now worried I been giving theses treats to my 4 month Maltese because I saw them at Wal-Mart. She acting fine but now I’m worried..
Mindy
I’m sorry to say that my dear Bella succumbed to the kidney failure and pancreatitis! We had to put her down about a month ago! My vet was very concerned about the treats we had been giving her and could have very well contributed to her death! Yes…she was 15 years old but she had always been extremely healthy! I miss her every day! My advise to you is to STOP feeding her these treats or anything that is not made in the US! He also told us not to feed her pig ears which can be dangerous! Do your research on the food/treats you give your pets! Nothing from China or Mexico! The golden rewards treats were made in US but made from chicken from China! Good luck to you and hope your pet doesn’t have any problems!
Julie Davis
My Chihuahua Bischons have been eating Golden Rewards for years and they are fine. Everything in moderation!! I get tired of never being able to find them!!
Sharon Crumb
We gave my Yorkie these in moderation. We are picking him up at the Vets today after 4 days intensive care, he is in kidney failure and now red blood cell count is bad. So, we are bringing him home for a little while and praying for a miracle, he will get his iv’s at home.
Please don’t endorse these treats, they are the only ones he has ever eaten and he would only get 2 a couple times a week.
Julie Davis-colberg
I have small dogs and a big dog they loves these treats and I have NEVER had a problem with them except for the fact they fly off the shelf!!!
Cindy Walraven
I have feed my maltese and yorkie poo these treats for along time when there was the first recall I tossed what I had and quit feeding them this jerky. However about two weeks ago or so I noticed them back on the shelf so i assumed they were now ok. Boy was I wrong. I feed my dogs one treat from this new back and within hours they were vomiting and and diarrhea and were very sick. I was watching them very closely it took 4 days before the stopped vomiting. I have filed a complaint with the FDA and Golden Rewards/ Shandong Food in CHINA!!! please people if you love your dogs don’t feed this to them!! I buy chicken and other meats to feed to them as a treat no more processed animal food!!!
Dot
After 4 days my dog is still sick from the treats..I just gave her a small piece…Don’t know why it’s still on the shelf.
Mindy
I’ve been feeding these to my dog for the past 6 months! She loved them! Right now she is hospitalized on IV’s and in renal failure with severe pancreatitis! I am just absolutely sick to my stomach! I feel like I have killed my beloved friend of 14 years.
Gloria
I have been giving my little dog these for. Couple weeks. Tonight was the first night I gave her an entire treat. I was concerned because it looked big but it was within the limit of the serving suggestion. NOW I read these. And I’m worried sick. Is there anything I could do now. Or just wait to see if she gets sick.
Julie Davis
My dogs have been eating these treats for a long time now with no problem. Why don’t they just make chicken treats here at a reasonable price. Its ridiculous!!
Dan
Our dog had eaten 2 full bags of the chicken treats in a two month time, with daily treats of the same product. 2 weeks after stealing and eating the 2nd bag, she had a swollen lymph node on her neck the size of a golf ball. Turned out to be cancer. So now we are in the detox mode and organic dog food and home made organic treats. It is sad the FDA is so pathetic, just as they are for human live.
Burritovich
My dog is suddenly extremely sick doesn’t want to get out of his bed he’s panting despite that it’s cold he won’t eat cheese when I hand it straight to him etc. and six days ago I started feeding him tons extremely sick doesn’t want to get out of his bed he’s panting despite that it’s cold he won’t eat cheese when I hand it straight to him etc. and six days ago I started feeding him these golden rewards chicken jerky treats from Walmart. I’ve given him a bunch of them. I’m taking him to the vet in two hours. Does anyone who has been through this know what I can tell the vet to possibly help them keep him alive?
joseph ebneth
my dog got sick from these treats , swollen eyes, the whites of her eyes were purple she was crosseyed coulldnt walk properly , limped , vomitted, her fur looked like bubbles all over her , she has a raised pancreas and gastritis, she is on prednisone, benadryl and amoxycillin and had 3 shots one , prednisone , one benadryl and one cerenia injectable and vet said it was from the treats i was giveing her and the only ones she was getting was golden rewards chicken jerky and the peanutbutter biscuits wrapped in chicken this all just happened starting on november 11, 2015
Angie
Help my Lucy died yesterday as a result of this. Severe liver failure, she was 16 months old. Taking her on ice to MSU tomorrow morning need help pursuing this. PLEASE HELP???Any input helpful.
fottheloveoflucy
SO sorry for the mistake I have been so scatter brained since this has occured. I ment Lucy died of severe kidney failure NOT liver failure. Please help me with any assistance programs out there. We are fighting this till the end. Until no other of our babies die due to the neglence of others only out to profit for themselves.
donna
Why has it taken so long to pull the item off walmart u are killing are pets slowly by keeping them on the shelf , pull the item really wait are u waiting for
C. Malone
I make sure that a few years ago after finding out about China, and their contaminated chicken doing harm to our pets. I make sure I read the labels on the back of our furry babies dog treats making sure that the product is not from China, in any way. My family, and I love our pets…..they are family to all of us.
Todd Mailley
It’s appalling that the pet food industry is still not regulated properly, and pets are still getting ill or die of this. Pets are part of someone’s family and definitely deserve the best as well. The country of origin of each ingredient has to be listed clearly on on a pet food product. I wonder if the politicians responsible for this would order their food from a Chinese online store?
Connie manion
Thank you
whirledpeas
I hope everyone clicks to the link you provided: “poultry/chicken meal/or poultry/chicken by-products from China”. It’s a real eye opener. The Chinese company Alibaba offers = Chicken Meal at $400 for 23 tons. Meat and Bone Meal – $400 for 20 tons, ($20 per ton). Soy Meal – $500 for 20 tons, and Corn Gluten – $100 for 20 metric tons. All with photos. So, for $1,000 you can make 60 tons of pet food.
Anonymous
I have gotten to the point that I do not trust any of the treats available-make your own,you know what is in them
Gina Richi
My beautiful baby girl, only 7 just got her Fanconi’s Syndrome test results back and she tested positive for it. This after she ingested RuffinIt Healthfuls bought at Publix here in Florida. She almost died. Had to be hospitalized for a few days. Only a miracle she is still here!!! THIS HAS TO STOP!! We have to start suing these companies and the stores who sell this POISON!!! I’m heartsick over the results I just got back saying she has Fanconi’s.