RECALL ALERT: Multiple Rawhide Chews Brands Recalled

The United Pet Group is voluntarily recalling multiple brands of rawhide chews sold in retailers nationwide and online due to possible chemical contamination.

The recall was put into effect when The United Pet Group received reports from pet parents noticing the products had an “unpleasant odor” and dogs were getting sick. The United Pet Group said dogs who eat the contaminated chews may experience a decreased appetite, stomach irritation, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

As of the time this article was published, United Pet Group reports they have “received very limited reports of pet illness based on the volume of possibly affected rawhide chew products manufactured and distributed.”

Possible Chemical Contamination: 

United Pet Group said some of its rawhide chew manufacturing companies located in Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, were using an anti-microbial chemical compound as a processing aid in the production of canine rawhide chews. The chemical compound is a quaternary ammonium compound mixture commonly used in disinfectants, detergents, anti-static agents, and fabric softeners. While it’s approved to clean food processing equipment, it’s not approved in the U.S. to be used in the production of rawhide dog chews.

Impacted Brands: 

This recall alert was issued on June 10, 2017. Since then, the list of impacted brands has expanded (on June 16, 2017). Impacted brands include: 

Image VIA: FDA

Image Via: FDA

The Recalled products were distributed nationwide by United Pet Group’s facility in Edwardsville, Illinois and were sold in stores and online. The only products being recalled at this time are rawhide chews.

Lot codes for the recalled chews will be listed on the back of the package and will start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO or AB.  Expiration dates range from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020. Dentahex and Enzadent are the only brands with different codes and expiration dates.

See the list below for details:

What To Do If You Have These Recalled Rawhides

Pet parents who have purchased these products are asked to throw them away or return the product to the retailer. 

• Return it to United Pet Group, a Division of Spectrum Brands, Inc. 3001 Commerce St. Blacksburg, VA 24060 (or) Call their consumer affairs number 1-855-215-4962 between 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST for a refund.

A Note On Rawhides

Despite the recall alert, Proud Dog Mom recommends avoiding rawhide bones and chews altogether since they are coated with chemicals, pose a choking hazard, and are linked to intestinal blockages/bleeding.