The Blue Buffalo dog food controversy has been making headlines in recent years, with many pet owners sharing their concerns and horror stories about the potential dangers of feeding their dogs this popular brand.
Some owners have reported that their dogs became severely ill after eating Blue Buffalo dog food, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and even kidney failure.
The FDA has received numerous reports of adverse reactions to Blue Buffalo dog food, with over 1,000 complaints filed since 2010.
Many of these complaints have been linked to the company's Life Protection Formula and Freedom formulas, which contain high levels of vitamin D.
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Blue Buffalo Controversy
Blue Buffalo LTD is facing a Class Action Lawsuit for failing to disclose the presence of dangerous substances in its pet food products.
The lawsuit was filed in California Federal Court on June 26th, 2017.
A 4-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix suffered from kidney disease and finally kidney failure after ingesting tainted Blue Buffalo dog food.
Blue Buffalo dog food was found to be contaminated with toxic lead levels.
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Contamination and Safety
Blue Buffalo dog food has been linked to serious health issues in dogs.
A lawsuit was filed in California Federal Court on June 26th, 2017, alleging that Blue Buffalo failed to disclose toxic substances in its pet food products.
The presence of lead in Blue Buffalo dog food is a major concern, as it can cause kidney disease and failure in dogs.
A 4-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix suffered from kidney disease and eventually kidney failure after eating tainted Blue Buffalo dog food.
Warning Based on 500 Cases
The FDA has investigated over 500 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, also known as DCM, in dogs eating certain types of food. This condition affects a dog's heart, causing it to become enlarged and leading to symptoms like tire easily, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Dogs with DCM may experience a decrease in their quality of life due to their symptoms.
The FDA has been tracking these cases to determine the cause of the condition, and their findings are concerning. They have identified a link between certain types of food and the development of DCM in dogs.
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Other Brands and Settlements
Some pet owners have reported their dogs getting sick after eating other brands of dog food, not just Blue Buffalo.
Merrick, a grain-free dog food brand, has also faced lawsuits and complaints about its food causing health issues in dogs.
While Blue Buffalo has been at the center of controversy, other pet food brands have also faced scrutiny for their ingredients and manufacturing processes.
Obscure Brands Involved
The FDA found that most cases of DCM involved premium dog food brands with limited market share and distribution.
Acana was named in 67 DCM case reports, making it one of the most frequently mentioned brands.
Zignature appeared in 64 case reports.
Taste of the Wild was involved in 53 case reports and has been the subject of a product recall in the past.
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$41 Million Settlement
Blue Buffalo, a well-known dog food brand, settled a case in 2015 for $41 million. This settlement was a result of a discrepancy in their advertised claims about their ingredients.
The company admitted that their dog food contained poultry byproducts, contrary to their claims of not using them.
Attorney Steven A. Zalesin, representing Blue Buffalo, blamed the issue on their ingredient supplier, Wilbur-Ellis.
The company had ordered high-quality chicken meal but received lower-grade ingredients in many instances.
Blue Buffalo made $41 million available to reimburse customers and cover legal fees and administrative costs.
Comparisons and Criticisms
Many pet owners have reported switching to Blue Buffalo dog food after being satisfied with its initial results, only to have their dogs experience severe health issues later on.
The company's marketing strategy has been criticized for its misleading claims about being "natural" and "holistic", when in fact, the food contains artificial preservatives and by-products.
Some owners have reported that their dogs' health problems began after being fed Blue Buffalo's Life Protection Formula, which contains a high amount of peas and other fillers.
Link Between Diet and DCM Unclear
The FDA's latest report has left many pet owners wondering if their dog's grain-free diet is to blame for the risk of DCM. The agency's findings are unclear, and they admit it's unknown how certain diets may be associated with DCM in dogs.
Pet owners like Alex Richardson, who feeds his dog Rocket a grain-free product from Champion Petfoods, are now questioning their choices. Richardson switched to a grain-free diet after adopting Rocket, thinking it was the right thing to do.
The FDA has listed Champion Petfoods' brands, Acana and Orijen, as being linked to DCM, but the company claims the agency has no scientific evidence to support this claim.
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Blue Buffalo vs. Animals 24-7
Blue Buffalo has a history of controversy, especially when it comes to their sponsorship of the Home 4 the Holidays program. They sponsored the program from 2013 to 2014.
The Helen Woodward Animal Center, a California-based organization, had previously been sponsored by Iams, but Blue Buffalo took over in 2013. The program was started in 1999.
In 2014, the Helen Woodward Animal Center advertised the Home 4 the Holidays program in ANIMALS 24-7, including the Blue Buffalo logo in the ads. However, they cancelled the ads just 24 hours after pit bull advocacy websites announced a boycott of Blue Buffalo.
Blue Buffalo has a reputation for running into product quality controversies, both before and after this incident.
Misleading Ads
Blue Buffalo's ads have been under scrutiny. The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus found their advertisements to be misleading and disparaging against competitors' products in 2014.
This wasn't the first time Blue Buffalo's ads were called out. In 2008, the National Advertising Division also found their advertising to be deceptive.
They recommended that Blue Buffalo stop claiming their pet food products don't use animal by-products, when in fact they do contain ingredients like fish meal and lamb meal.
Hill's Science Diet, a major pet food producer, brought complaints against Blue Buffalo that led to these rulings.
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Sources
- a potential link between diet and DCM in July 2018 (fda.gov)
- Champion Petfoods (championpetfoods.com)
- Dog Food Recall as Urgent Warning Issued to Pet Owners ... (newsweek.com)
- https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Buffalo-Complaints-1828547960705279/?notif_t=page_fan (facebook.com)
- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/blue_buffalo.html (consumeraffairs.com)
- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/blue_buffalo.html?page=3 (consumeraffairs.com)
- allegedly misled consumers (topclassactions.com)
- agreed to pay $32 millio (topclassactions.com)
- Blue Buffalo, Rachael Ray, Nutro, & 13 other brands linked ... (animals24-7.org)
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