5 Critical Dog Food Recalls You Must Check Right Now: The Urgent FDA List For December 2025

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Protecting your pet’s health is a top priority for every dog owner, and staying informed about the latest pet food recalls is a non-negotiable part of responsible ownership. As of December 23, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and various pet food manufacturers have issued several critical warnings and voluntary recalls that demand immediate attention, ranging from bacterial contamination to dangerous foreign materials. This comprehensive guide details the most urgent recalls and provides the essential steps you need to take right now to ensure your dog's safety.

The pet food industry is vast, and while manufacturers adhere to strict safety protocols, unforeseen issues can lead to product contamination or mislabeling. Recent recalls highlight persistent risks associated with both raw and gently cooked frozen formulas, primarily due to pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria, as well as the alarming discovery of plastic contaminants. If you feed your dog any of the affected brands, stop immediately and check the specific lot codes and "Best By" dates listed below.

The Urgent Dog Food Recall List: December 2025 & Early 2026

The following list compiles the most recent and significant dog food recalls and warnings that have been announced in late 2025 and extend into the start of 2026. These cases are categorized by the primary hazard, which helps owners understand the potential health risks involved.

1. Foreign Material Contamination: The Plastic Danger

One of the most concerning recent recalls involves the potential presence of foreign, hazardous materials in commercially prepared dog food. Ingesting materials like hard plastic can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues, including blockages and internal injury, requiring emergency veterinary care.

  • Affected Manufacturer: Fromm Family Foods
  • Recalled Product: Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food
  • Recall Date: Announced December 3, 2025
  • Reason for Recall: Potential contamination with hard plastic bits
  • Affected Lot/Best By Date: Specifically, products with a "Best By" date of 12/25/2026
  • Distribution: Approximately 300 cases were recalled, sold nationwide across 14 U.S. states and potentially in Ontario, Canada

Owners who have purchased this specific Bonnihill Farms product should immediately return it to the retailer for a full refund or discard it. While no illnesses or injuries were reported at the time of the recall, the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction is significant.

2. Pathogen Risk: Salmonella and Listeria Concerns in Raw Food

Raw dog food formulas are frequently subject to recalls due to the risk of bacterial contamination, primarily Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. These pathogens pose a risk not only to your dog but also to humans who handle the contaminated food.

A. Answers Pet Food Warning

The FDA issued a warning regarding certain products from Answers Pet Food due to the presence of Salmonella and Listeria. This is a recurring issue with raw pet food, emphasizing the need for strict handling and storage protocols.

  • Affected Manufacturer: Answers Pet Food (The Answers Company)
  • Recalled Product: Answers Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs
  • Reason for Recall: Potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
  • Affected Lot/Best By Dates: Products with Best By dates of January 2, 2026, and March 11, 2026 (Lot codes BUBD JAN 02, 2026 and BUBD MAR 11, 2026)

B. Raw Bistro Recall

Another prominent raw food recall involved the risk of Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young, elderly, or immunocompromised pets.

  • Affected Manufacturer: Raw Bistro
  • Recalled Product: Raw Bistro Pet Fare Frozen Beef Dog Food
  • Recall Date: October 10, 2025
  • Reason for Recall: Possible Salmonella contamination

C. Blue Ridge Beef Recall

Blue Ridge Beef also initiated a recall for some of its raw log products, a common format for raw pet food, due to similar bacterial concerns.

  • Affected Manufacturer: Blue Ridge Beef
  • Recalled Products: Natural Mix log and Puppy Mix log
  • Reason for Recall: Potential bacterial contamination (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli)

Symptoms of Contaminated Dog Food: What to Look For

If your dog has consumed recalled food, monitoring them for specific symptoms is crucial. Pets do not always show signs of illness, but when they do, immediate veterinary intervention is necessary.

Recognizing Illness in Your Pet

Symptoms of foodborne illness, particularly from Salmonella or Listeria, can manifest within hours or days of consumption. The clinical signs may vary in severity but often include:

  • Gastrointestinal Distress: Vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody or mucoid), and abdominal pain
  • Systemic Signs: Fever, lethargy, and a noticeable loss of appetite
  • Severe Symptoms: In rare but serious cases, pets may experience septicemia, which is a severe blood infection

For recalls involving foreign materials, the symptoms are related to physical injury or obstruction:

  • Plastic Contamination Symptoms: Acute vomiting, persistent retching, severe digestive discomfort, and signs of a gastrointestinal blockage

It is important to remember that humans can also contract Salmonella from handling contaminated pet food or surfaces exposed to it. Human symptoms include nausea, fever, and abdominal cramping.

Immediate Steps: What to Do If You Have Recalled Dog Food

The moment you confirm that a product you own is on the FDA dog food recall list, you must take swift action to protect your household and your pet. These steps are endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the FDA.

  1. Stop Feeding Immediately: Do not feed your dog any of the recalled product, even if they appear fine.
  2. Isolate and Secure the Product: Place the remaining food in a sealed bag to prevent further exposure to pets or humans.
  3. Clean and Sanitize: Thoroughly wash all bowls, scoops, storage containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled food using hot, soapy water or a bleach solution. This is critical for preventing cross-contamination, especially with raw food.
  4. Dispose or Return: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most companies advise returning the product to the retailer for a full refund or safely discarding it in a way that prevents scavengers from accessing it.
  5. Contact Your Veterinarian: If your dog shows any symptoms of illness, contact your vet immediately. Be sure to inform them of the specific product and pathogen involved.
  6. Report the Incident: You should report any illness or injury suspected to be linked to the food to the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal. This helps regulatory bodies track outbreaks and initiate further recalls.

Staying vigilant and checking the official FDA pet food recall list regularly is the best way to practice proactive pet food safety. The frequency of recalls underscores the need for owners to be the final line of defense in protecting their beloved companions.

5 Critical Dog Food Recalls You Must Check Right Now: The Urgent FDA List for December 2025
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