Purina Pro Plan: The Ongoing Investigation of Pet Deaths and Illnesses Linked to the Brand
Updated: 7/12/24
Note: This story has been updated with new information and developments. You can read the update here.
Purina Pro Plan is one of the most popular and trusted brands of pet food in the world. But is it possibly also making dogs and cats sick with symptoms such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and seizures? A growing number of pet parents and veterinarians are saying that it is. All these dogs and cats have one thing in common: they ate Purina pet food. Could this be more than a coincidence? What other explanation is there for their sickness? And why hasn’t Purina recalled its products or acknowledged the problem?
The Purina Pro Plan Problem: A Timeline of Events
The first reports of sick pets linked to Purina Pro Plan and other Purina pet food emerged in late 2023, when a Facebook group called Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time started collecting stories and evidence from concerned pet owners. The group’s admin, Kelly Bone, claimed that she had received reports from over 200 pet parents (at that time) that their pet was sick after eating Purina Pro Plan.
Since then, the group has grown to nearly 91,000 members and has received hundreds of reports of sick and dead pets from different countries, including the USA, Ireland, UK, Israel, Serbia, Hungary, and Canada. The group members have also shared videos and photos of their beloved pets, that suggest a problem with Purina pet food is related to their illness. The group has also contacted various media outlets, consumer protection agencies, and legal firms to expose the issue and demand a recall.
Meanwhile, Purina has denied any responsibility and has dismissed the reports as “online rumors” that are driven by “well-intentioned pet parents who are genuinely concerned and trying to be helpful, while others may be trying to create chaos and distrust of certain brands as an opportunity to sell their own products”. Purina has also stated that it has a comprehensive quality and safety program in place and that it conducts more than 100,000 quality checks daily across its factories. Purina has also claimed that it has investigated the claims made online and that it has found no data or trend that would indicate an issue.
However, Purina’s response has not satisfied many pet parents and veterinarians, who have accused the company of not being honest or transparent. They have also pointed out that Purina has a history of recalls and lawsuits related to its pet food products. For example, in March 2023, Purina recalled Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D, which can be toxic to dogs. Purina also faced a class-action lawsuit in 2015, alleging that its Beneful dry dog food contained toxins that caused thousands of dogs to become ill or die. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2016, but many pet owners still believe that Beneful harmed their pets.
The Purina Pro Plan Problem: The Latest Statistics and Updates
As of 7/14/2024, the Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time group has reported the following statistics:
- 1763 dog / cats (1343 dogs, and 420cats) in USA Ireland, UK, Israel, Serbia, Hungry, New Zealand & Canada that are sick from Purina
- 412 of which have died
These numbers are based on the reports submitted by the group members, and they may not reflect the true extent of the problem. There may be many more pets that have been affected by Purina pet food but have not been reported or diagnosed. The group is urging all pet owners who have fed their pets Purina Pro Plan and other Purina products to monitor their health closely and to contact their veterinarian if they notice any signs of illness. The group is also encouraging pet owners to join the group and share their stories and evidence, as well as to sign a petition calling for a recall of Purina Pro Plan products.
As a pet nutrition specialist and a dog food geek, I am following the Purina Pro Plan problem closely and conducting research for my clients. I have also written two articles on the topic, which you can read here...
I will continue to update this story with the latest information and developments.
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I hope that this article has helped you to understand the Purina Pro Plan problem and its potential impact on your pets. I also hope that Purina will take this issue seriously and take the necessary actions to ensure the safety and well-being of all pets. Until then, please be careful and vigilant about what you feed your pets, and remember that they depend on you to protect them from harm.
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For more in-depth articles and updates on Purina Pro Plan, check out my Purina Pro Plan list of stories here. Stay informed and make the best choices for your pets!
