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Caution in Feeding Dogs Chicken Jerky

FDA is cautioning people about feeding their dogs chicken jerky products, also described as chicken tenders, strips, or treats. There is a potential association between illness in dogs and these products. FDA has received over 70 complaints involving more than 95 dogs experiencing illness that their owners associated with eating chicken jerky products.

To date, FDA has not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. The agency has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

FDA has also received preliminary information from Banfield, The Pet Hospital (a network of pet hospitals across the country) that suggests an association between eating chicken jerky products and signs of gastrointestinal illness.

Symptoms

Dogs that have become ill typically show the following signs:

• decreased appetite, although some may continue to eat the treats but not other food
• decreased activity, or lethargy
• vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood
• increased water drinking and urination

An individual dog may show some or all of these signs. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some dogs have died.

Advice to Consumers

• If you feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch the dog closely for any signs of decreased appetite, decreased activity, increased water drinking, increased urination, and vomiting or diarrhea
• If the dog shows any of the above signs, discontinue feeding the chicken jerky product. Signs of illness may occur within hours to days of feeding the product.
• Consult your veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.
• Report animal illness to the FDA consumer complaint coordinator for your state. For contact information, see www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

Chicken treat products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally in small quantities.

FDA continues to actively investigate this problem.

Date Posted: September 28, 2007

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