5 Critical Dog & Cat Food Recalls You Must Know Right Now (Updated December 2025)
The landscape of pet food safety is constantly shifting, and as of December 23, 2025, several critical, urgent recalls remain active or have just been announced by the FDA and manufacturers. It is absolutely vital for pet owners to check their pantries and freezers immediately, as contaminated products—especially those containing dangerous bacteria like *Salmonella* and *Listeria monocytogenes* or toxic levels of Vitamin D—can cause severe illness, hospitalization, or even death in both dogs, cats, and humans who handle the food. This deep-dive guide provides the most current information, specific lot codes, and necessary steps to protect your beloved companion.
The primary causes for the most recent alerts center on pathogenic contamination in raw and dry foods, alongside nutritional imbalances. The following list details the most critical and recent recalls you need to be aware of right now, focusing on the specific products, the danger they pose, and the exact identifiers to check on the packaging.
The 5 Most Urgent Dog and Cat Food Recalls and Safety Alerts (December 2025)
Pet food recalls are not a rare occurrence, but the latest alerts involve serious pathogens that pose an immediate public health risk. The following entities and products represent the most pressing concerns based on recent FDA and company announcements.
1. Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix Recall (Salmonella)
One of the most concerning and recent alerts involves raw pet food, a category frequently associated with bacterial contamination. Blue Ridge Beef issued a voluntary recall for one of its raw dog food products due to potential *Salmonella* contamination.
- Recalled Product: Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix for Dogs.
- Reason for Recall: Potential contamination with *Salmonella*.
- Specific Lot Code to Check: Lot # N25/12/31.
- Packaging Details: 2 lb logs, UPC 854298001054.
- Distribution: The contaminated product was distributed on January 3, 2025, across multiple states.
The Danger: *Salmonella* can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in pets, leading to lethargy, bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Critically, humans handling the contaminated raw food are also at high risk of infection.
2. Viva Raw LLC Recall (Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes)
The raw pet food segment has faced multiple challenges, and Viva Raw LLC voluntarily recalled two lots of its dog and cat food products due to the confirmed presence of two dangerous pathogens: *Salmonella* and *Listeria monocytogenes*.
- Recalled Products: Two specific lots of Viva Raw dog and cat foods (check the official FDA announcement for the full list of lot numbers, as they are extensive).
- Reason for Recall: Contamination with *Salmonella* and *Listeria monocytogenes*.
- The Danger: *Listeria monocytogenes* is particularly concerning, as infected pets may only show mild symptoms (like diarrhea and fever) but can still shed the bacteria, infecting humans. In severe cases, *Listeria* can cause stiffness, abortion in pregnant animals, and even death.
Pet owners who have purchased any Viva Raw products, especially raw dog food or raw cat food, should immediately check the lot codes and dispose of the food safely.
3. Mid America Pet Food (Victor) Ongoing Alert (Salmonella)
While the initial major recall for Mid America Pet Food's Victor brand dry dog and cat food occurred in late 2023, the scope was massive, and the ongoing public health alert is still highly relevant for pet owners who stockpile food. The recall covered all Victor Super Premium Dog Food and cat food formulas with Best By Dates before 10/31/24.
- Recalled Products: Multiple lots and formulas, including Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula, and Victor Hi-Pro Plus.
- Reason for Recall: Potential *Salmonella* contamination.
- Action Point: If you have any Victor dry pet food with a Best By Date before October 31, 2024, you must discard it immediately.
Dry kibble recalls, like the one involving Mid America Pet Food, can affect a much wider geographic area and a larger number of pet owners than localized raw food recalls, making vigilance essential.
4. High Vitamin D Toxicity Alerts (Nutritional Imbalance)
Not all recalls are due to bacteria. A recurring and dangerous issue is the presence of elevated levels of Vitamin D in pet food, which is toxic in high doses. While specific brands like Fromm and Hill's Pet Nutrition have faced recalls for this in the past, the underlying risk remains a major concern for pet owners.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity in Pets:
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- Increased thirst and urination (PU/PD).
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Excessive drooling.
- Lethargy and weakness.
If your pet exhibits these clinical signs after consuming a new food, contact your veterinarian immediately. Vitamin D poisoning can lead to kidney failure and is often severe.
5. Other Common Pet Food Contaminants (Mycotoxins & Foreign Material)
To maintain full topical authority on pet food safety, pet owners must also be aware of two other major, recurring threats that frequently trigger recalls:
Mycotoxins (Molds)
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain types of mold that can grow on feed crops like corn, wheat, and peanuts. These toxins can cause severe liver damage and other health problems in dogs and cats. The FDA monitors for mycotoxin contamination, and it is one of the top four causes of pet food recalls.
Foreign Material
Recalls due to foreign material—such as metal fragments, plastic pieces, or other debris—are common and pose a direct physical danger to pets. Ingesting foreign material can cause choking, internal injuries, or blockages requiring emergency surgery. These incidents highlight the importance of supply chain management and manufacturing quality control.
What Pet Owners Must Do Right Now: A 3-Step Action Plan
If you discover that you have purchased a recalled dog or cat food product, your immediate action is critical. Do not panic, but act swiftly and methodically.
Step 1: Secure and Dispose of the Recalled Product
Do not feed the food to your pet. Even if your pet appears healthy, the food is a public health risk.
- Secure the Food: Place the food in a secure container or sealed bag that your pet (or other animals) cannot access.
- Dispose Safely: The FDA recommends double-bagging the food in plastic bags and placing it in a secure, covered trash receptacle. Do not simply pour it down a drain or flush it.
- Clean and Sanitize: Thoroughly wash all feeding bowls, scoops, storage containers, and any surfaces (countertops, floors) that came into contact with the recalled food using hot, soapy water and a bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water).
Step 2: Check Your Pet for Symptoms of Illness
Monitor your dog or cat closely for symptoms of food poisoning. The onset of symptoms can be delayed, especially with *Listeria* or Vitamin D toxicity.
- Bacterial Symptoms: Look for lethargy, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea (especially if bloody or severe).
- Vitamin D Symptoms: Watch for excessive thirst, increased urination, and loss of appetite.
If your pet shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately and inform them that your pet consumed recalled food.
Step 3: Contact the Manufacturer for a Refund
Most manufacturers will issue a full refund for recalled products. Contact the company directly using the information provided in the official FDA recall announcement. You may need the UPC and lot code as proof of purchase, so take a picture of the packaging before disposal.
How to Stay Informed About Future Pet Food Recalls
Pet food safety is an ongoing responsibility. To ensure you are always ahead of the curve, you should utilize official and reliable sources.
- FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts: This is the official government source for all food and animal feed recalls.
- Veterinarian Alerts: Your local vet often receives direct communications from manufacturers and distributors.
- Reputable Pet Food Advisory Sites: Resources like DogFoodAdvisor and the AVMA track and compile recall information in an easy-to-digest format.
By staying vigilant and knowing the specific lot codes and symptoms, you become the most important line of defense against contaminated food, ensuring the health and safety of your cherished dog or cat.
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