Start Here: Essential Pet Food Safety Guides
New to Pet Food Safety News? Worried your pet may be having a reaction to their pet food? Not sure where to begin?
Take a breath. You’re in the right place.
I created this page to bring the most useful Pet Food Safety News guides together in one place, especially for readers who need clear information quickly.
Some of these articles are for urgent situations. Others will help you understand how pet food is regulated, how to report a problem, how to deal with a company, and how to make more informed choices about what you feed your pet.
These are the essentials: the first things to know, the steps to take, and the resources to keep close.
If you have questions, you are welcome to contact me. I’ll help if I can.
Important: If your pet is seriously ill, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. These guides can help you document, report, and understand what to do next, but they are not a substitute for veterinary care.
- What to Do If You Think Your Pet Is Sick from Pet Food
Start here if something feels wrong and you need to know what to save, who to call, and what to do next.
- The Complete Guide to Reporting Pet Food Problems to the FDA
A full walkthrough of how to file a useful FDA report without getting lost in the system. - Overwhelmed by a Pet Food Emergency? Start Here
Practical tips for getting through the FDA reporting process when you are upset, worried, or short on time. - How to Find Out What’s Really in Your Pet’s Food
A practical guide to reading pet food labels, understanding ingredients, and recognizing the kinds of claims that may mislead consumers.
- How to Protect Yourself When Dealing with a Pet Food Company
What to document, what to save, and what to ask before contacting a manufacturer about a suspected pet food problem.
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.
15 Comments
Rita Ferrante
I am going crazy trying to find a cat pate that does not contain Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (a synthetic form of Vitamin K, carrageenan, or guar gum. These are all deadly poisons for a cat (or any other carnivorous animal). As a disabled 84 yr old senior living solely on SS income, cannot afford a giant vet bill should my 8 yr old long haired baby become ill. She has already thrown up several times last week. What is a healthy cat food or do I resort to making my own if there is no such thing as a healthy canned cat pate?
Melissa
For financial assistance, I wanted to recommend adding ASPCA pet insurance to your financial assistance page. I have insurance with them and they rock. They pay exactly what they say they will when you sign up and there’s no fine print BS. They even cover dental care if the pet has gum disease. I got ins with them after a vet bill wiped out my savings. I pay $30 a month for “accident and illnesses only” for 80% coverage after a $250 annual (!) deductible for 1 nine-year old cat. I can go to any vet. They sliding scale options with lower and higher deductibles and regular vet visit coverage etc. I’ve been burned by pet insurance companies a few times over the years so I haven’t had insurance for 10 years until now. They’ve always paid me exactly what they owe and even have direct deposit. Total godsend. Hope this helps.
Leeanna Lynx
Steven’s comment was pretty snotty. You did all of this work and he accuses you of discussing a problem without offering a solution. The solution is obvious and just what you said: make the meals for your animals yourself.
Amada Torres
Hi
I learned a lot about pet food from this site. I had two cats poisoned.
I lost one Pawsha and took the other to the veterinary. He did not tell me what kind of poisoning. I will ask when I go visit my cat. Still in his care. They flushed her stomach, gave her IV fluids. bloodwork n giving her antibiotics. She lost her litter five days later. Now i need help to pay vet bill. Please can anyone help me. I want to bring my CHEQURZ back home. I’m a widowed female senior citizen unemployed.
And if n when she comes home I plan on cooking her food. At least I will know she’s eating healthy. Is there any cookbooks out there for cats?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Amada Torres
Stephanie Henley
Good morning!
This appears to be a great resource for concerned pet owners seeking education on pet food safety, recalls, and marketing strategies. I’m having trouble finding the name and credentials of the author on the mobile site, and am very interested in knowing these details prior to any donations or re-sharing. Thank you!
Michele Hodges
So how do we know what is the healthiest food to feed a cat, he was overweight when I rescued him?
Michele
Sarah Woodstock
Your site needs a page that explains ingredients in a quick-look format that even lazy people will read. It’s too much work to dig for useful content. It also needs a page on how to convince your vet not to sell Hills. Please notify me if you do this, and I’ll send it to all the vets I can find. Thanks!