Is Beneful Dog Food Killing Dogs According to FDA Reports

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Posted Nov 5, 2024

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Close-up of Dog Food
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of Dog Food

As of 2018, the FDA received over 3,000 complaints about Beneful dog food, with many reports of dogs falling ill or dying after consuming the product.

The FDA's reports indicate that the complaints spanned multiple years, with the majority of cases occurring between 2011 and 2015.

Many of these complaints were related to gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

The FDA's data suggests that the issue was widespread, with reports coming from all 50 states in the US.

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3,000+ Dog Owners Complain

More than 3,000 dog owners have complained about Beneful dog food, alleging that it has caused serious health issues in their pets.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Nestle Purina Petcare Company, claiming that Beneful dog food contains toxic substances that can kill dogs.

The lawsuit was filed in California federal court by pet owner Frank Lucido, who claims that his three dogs became ill after eating Beneful dog food.

Credit: youtube.com, Lawsuit claims Purina Beneful dry 'kibble' dog food is killing dogs

Lucido's German Shepherd started to lose a large amount of hair and began giving off a unusual odor, and soon became violently ill with internal bleeding in its stomach and liver malfunction.

One of Lucido's dogs, an English Bulldog, died after being found dead in the yard with signs of internal bleeding in its stomach and lesions on its liver.

The lawsuit claims that the dog food includes propylene glycol, an automotive component that is a known animal toxin, and mycotoxins, which are produced by fungus that occurs in grains used in the food.

Hundreds of complaints about Beneful dog food have been reported on websites such as Consumer Affairs and Facebook pages, with many pet owners alleging that their dogs experienced similar health issues after eating the food.

One pet owner, Cynthia of Kingman, Arizona, reported that her 10-year-old Chihuahua started vomiting and had loose diarrhea after eating Beneful Weight Management Dog Food.

FDA Action

Credit: youtube.com, Class action lawsuit claims Purina Beneful sickening, killing dogs

The FDA has not yet taken action on the Beneful dog food issue, but it's worth noting that the lawsuit against Nestle Purina Petcare Company claims that the company knew about the toxic substances in their dog food and failed to warn consumers.

The lawsuit alleges that Beneful dog food contains propylene glycol, an automotive component that is a known animal toxin and is poisonous to cats and dogs, according to the lawsuit.

The FDA has not publicly commented on the specific allegations made in the lawsuit, but they do regulate pet food and have guidelines in place for manufacturers.

The lawsuit also alleges that Beneful dog food includes mycotoxins, a group of toxins produced by fungus that occurs in grains, which are a principle ingredient in Beneful.

The FDA does have guidelines for mycotoxin levels in pet food, but it's unclear if they have taken any action on Beneful specifically.

The class action lawsuit is seeking to represent two classes of dog owners who purchased Beneful dog food and incurred costs due to illness, injury, or death of their dog.

Toxic Ingredients

Credit: youtube.com, Is Purina Beneful harmful to your dog's health?

Salmonella and mycotoxins are commonly found in dry dog foods, including Beneful. These contaminants can cause serious health issues in humans who handle the food.

Mycotoxins are molds that can cause liver disease and cancer in dogs. In 2014, the Consumer Council of Hong Kong found aflatoxins in several pet foods, including Purina.

Ethoxyquin, a pesticide, is used as a preservative in some dog foods, but it's not always disclosed on the ingredient label. This substance has been linked to cancer and liver disease.

Melamine, an industrial chemical, was found in Beneful foods at higher levels than allowed, including cyanuric acid and ammelide, which are toxic to pets.

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Salmonella and Mycotoxins

Salmonella and mycotoxins are two common contaminants found in many dog foods, including kibbles. They're in most dry dog foods, which isn't surprising.

Mycotoxins are molds that can be potentially harmful to dogs and are often present in kibbles. In fact, aflatoxins, a type of mycotoxin, were found in several pet foods tested by the Consumer Council of Hong Kong in 2014.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause infection in people handling dog food, so it's essential to wash your hands thoroughly after handling any dog food. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling any dog food.

Mycotoxins can cause liver disease and cancer in dogs.

Ethoxyquin

Credit: youtube.com, The Specialists: Ethoxyquin | JustFoodForDogs

Ethoxyquin is a pesticide used as a preservative in foods containing fish meals and poultry meals.

It's allowed in animal feeds up to 150 parts per million (ppm), but food manufacturers often don't list it on the ingredient label.

The FDA found six labeling violations regarding ethoxyquin, even though the samples were within the allowable levels.

Ethoxyquin has been linked to cancer and liver disease, among other health concerns.

The FDA's findings suggest that some food manufacturers may not be transparent about the use of ethoxyquin in their products.

Melamine

Melamine is an industrial chemical that's a real concern for pet owners. It's the same substance that caused thousands of pet deaths from kidney failure in 2007 due to contaminated food.

The FDA has a limit of 2.5 ppm for melamine in pet foods, but it's still showing up at higher levels. This is a problem because melamine is toxic to pets.

Cyanuric acid and ammelide are two melamine substances that were found in Beneful foods tested by the FDA. These chemicals are used in swimming pool stabilizers and lubricating greases, respectively.

They're not exactly what you want to see in your dog's food, and yet they're there. The FDA found them in Beneful foods, and they exceeded the allowable levels of 2.5 ppm of melamine.

Despite this, the FDA took no further action against Nestle Purina, the maker of Beneful.

Propylene Glycol

Credit: youtube.com, Propylene Glycol Side Effects & Dangers by Dr. Berg

Propylene glycol is a substance that's actually banned in cat foods in the US, according to the lawsuit.

The Food and Drug Administration has prohibited its use in cat foods, yet it's still present in some pet foods.

This chemical is also known to be poisonous to cats and dogs.

It's worth noting that excessive amounts of propylene glycol were found in a recalled batch of Fireball whiskey in Europe.

The same chemical is used in antifreeze, which is a pretty alarming fact.

Purina claims the type of propylene glycol they use is safe for consumption, but they're not the only ones using it.

Propylene glycol is also found in human foods like salad dressing and cake mix, according to Purina's website.

Lab Testing and Evidence

Lab testing has revealed some disturbing facts about Beneful dog food. The FDA's lab analysis found some foods containing dangerous ingredients.

The FDA's lab analysis revealed some of these foods contained ethoxyquin, a preservative linked to health problems. This is a concerning discovery, especially for pet owners who trust their food to be safe.

Some of the FDA's lab results showed high levels of aflatoxin, a toxic substance that can cause liver damage in dogs.

Lab Test Results

Credit: youtube.com, Toxicology Evidence Guidelines

Lab testing can be a game-changer in uncovering the truth about products and foods.

The FDA's lab analysis revealed some dangerous ingredients in some of the foods. This highlights the importance of thorough testing before consumption.

Lab tests can also reveal contamination issues, such as the presence of bacteria or heavy metals, which can have serious health consequences.

Consistent with Others

The symptoms reported by pet owners who fed their dogs Purina Beneful dog food are consistent with those experienced by others. In fact, over 3,000 people have made formal complaints.

The symptoms include internal bleeding, malfunction or failure of the liver, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. These are serious health issues that can have devastating consequences for our furry friends.

The specific dog food brands implicated in these complaints are numerous. Here are some of the affected products:

  • Purina Beneful Healthy Weight
  • Purina Beneful Original
  • Purina Beneful Incredibites
  • Purina Beneful Healthy Growth for Puppies
  • Purina Beneful Healthy Smile
  • Purina Beneful Healthy Fiesta
  • Purina Beneful Healthy Radiance
  • Purina Beneful Playful Life

Sources

  1. Lawsuit Claims Purina's Beneful Is Poisoning, Killing Dogs (nbcnews.com)
  2. new lawsuit (topclassactions.com)
  3. ABC News (go.com)
  4. Shop Dogs Naturally (thenaturaldogstore.com)
  5. Top Class Actions (topclassactions.com)
  6. Is BENEFUL by Purina KILLING or SICKENING Dogs?. (facebook.com)
  7. Morgan & Morgan (forthepeople.com)

Raul Bednar

Senior Assigning Editor

Raul Bednar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for guiding writers towards compelling narratives. With a keen eye for detail, Raul has a proven track record of selecting high-quality articles that captivate readers. His expertise spans a range of topics, including dog training and behavior.