Smucker Company Dog Food Recalled After Euthanasia Drug Scare

What wouldn't you do for your four-legged best friend? 

The connection we share with dogs makes it especially scary to find out that your constant companion (or at the very least furry friend) could suffer because of something you feed them. Unfortunately, that's the latest scoop in a series of dog food recalls, initiated as a result of the euthanasia drug pentobarbital being found in canned dog food manufactured by the J.M. Smucker Company.

Time to Check the Cupboard

The latest recall covers select J.M. Smucker Company canned dog food products manufactured from 2016 onward. Recalled brands include Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits, Ol' Roy, and Skippy canned dog food.

Pet owners should check if they have the recalled pet food products, and if so, safely dispose of them. Pets that have eaten recalled brands should be monitored and, if necessary, taken to the vet.

What Is Pentobarbital?

Pentobarbital is commonly used in animals as a sedative, an anesthetic, and for euthanasia. According to the FDA's recall notice, testing for Smucker's Gravy Train dog food found low levels of the drug, an amount that's 'unlikely to pose a health risk to pets.' Still, the presence of any death-inducing drug in food is a major problem for manufacturers.

According to Smucker's, the source of the problem has been identified as a 'minor ingredient' from a single supplier at a specific manufacturing facility.

Pet Food Woes

This isn't the first pet food that has been recalled after testing positive for pentobarbital.

Evanger's Dog and Cat food issued a similar euthanasia drug related recall about a year ago, after one pet died and five pets fell ill. Smaller recalls involving other brands, but the same drug, have been issued in the last couple years.

Related Resources

• How Does a Euthanasia Drug Keep Ending Up in Dog Food? (Gizmodo)
• Deadly Dog Treats: Why You Should Avoid Bone Treats for Your Pet (FindLaw's Common Law)
• What is Product Liability? (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)