Some examples of the lawsuits show the tragic consequences of Vitamin D toxicity in the canned foods:
- Bone et al vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. — Three dog owners in Florida, North Carolina, and New York filed a lawsuit against Hill’s, alleging the company was aware of elevated levels of vitamin D in certain canned formulas months prior to the recall. The plaintiffs claim their dogs died as a result of eating Hill’s canned Prescription Diet and Science Diet formulations.
- Russell vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. — A couple in Florida filed a class action lawsuit alleging Hill’s dog food was defective due to excessive levels of vitamin D. The couple claims their dog Stella was poisoned by high levels of vitamin D and had to be euthanized.
- Navarette vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. — From October 2018 until January 2019, dog owner John Navarrete of California purchased cans of Hill’s dog food for his German Shepherd, Goliath. In January, Goliath began having serious health issues, including vomiting and lethargy
In a November 2019 warning letter to Hill’s, the FDA Office of Human and Animal Foods wrote that:
” “The inspections and the investigation confirmed that animal food products with unsafe levels of vitamin D were manufactured and marketed by your firm. You determined the unsafe levels of vitamin D were the result of an ingredient that you received and accepted in a manner not in accordance with your receiving procedures, and that was subsequently incorporated in the animal food products.”
The safest bet for pet parents is still to prepare the meals themselves. This way, you make sure that your dog is only eating healthy ingredients that are good for him.
Please share this with the dog parents you know!
