Reports of illness allegedly linked to Purina pet food have surfaced on social media, leaving pet owners anxious and prompting denials from the company. Purina vehemently denies any issues with its products, dismissing the claims as false and expressing regret over the confusion caused by online rumors.
The controversy gained momentum within a Facebook group named “Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time” in early December, where group administrator Kelly Bone shared multiple reports of pets falling ill or dying after consuming Purina Pro Plan, a pet food formula available in wet and dry varieties for dogs and cats.
Bone claims to have received 969 reports, including 234 deaths, of pets becoming ill after consuming Purina products. Symptoms reported include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, seizures, rapid weight loss, and rectal bleeding.
The concerns extended to TikTok, where users warned about Purina products, referencing the discussions on Facebook. Purina responded by stating that its quality assurance team investigated the rumors and found no data or trend indicating an issue. The company assured pet owners that its products are safe and can be fed with confidence.
Amidst the conflicting claims, pet owners like James Diehl from Long Island, New York, have been left searching for answers. Diehl attributes the sudden illnesses and deaths of his dogs Carly and Petri to Purina food, a claim contested by the company. Purina spokesperson Lorie Westhoff mentioned that Diehl’s wife filed a complaint on Monday, and the company is reaching out to gather more information.
Purina has criticized the source of the allegations, the “Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time” group, for not providing sufficient details about the complaints. Westhoff noted that attempts to investigate were hindered when a member of the group refused to provide vet records or food samples and denied access to their veterinarian.
The company also raised concerns about individuals promoting the allegations having connections to brands that compete with Purina. TikTok creator Rachel Fusaro and veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan were specifically mentioned. While Fusaro did not respond to requests for comment, Morgan insisted she has not profited from her warnings and is personally funding tests on Purina food in an independent laboratory.
Despite the online controversy, Purina has not issued any recalls, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not mandated any recalls. The FDA encourages pet owners and veterinarians to report illnesses online, and it is evaluating the situation. Kenneth Simpson, a professor at Cornell University and a member of Purina’s scientific advisory board, emphasized the ethical practices of pet food producers but noted that recalls would be initiated if issues were identified after the products entered the market.
Purina did issue a voluntary recall for a prescription dog food, Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental, in the early part of last year due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D, a nutrient essential to dogs but toxic in excess amounts.
