Which Hills dog food was recalled

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Updated May 20, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the presence of elevated, potentially toxic levels of vitamin D in a variety of canned dog foods manufactured by Hills Pet Nutrition.

Fast Facts

• The FDA is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about the expanded recall of 86total lots of33 varieties (SKUs) of canned dog foods manufactured by Hills Pet Nutrition after receiving complaints that dogs eating the food experienced vitamin D toxicity.
• Hills Pet Nutrition initiated this recall in late January 2019, however, as of March 20, 2019, the firm expanded the scope of the recall to include additional products and product lots.In May 2019 the firm expanded the recall to include an additional product lot code for a variety of canned food in the recall.
• The recall was expanded after the FDA requested that Hills test samples of foods it had produced that were not part of the original recall. Hills conducted that testing, which led to the expanded recall on March 20, 2019.On May 17, 2019, after the firm compiled testing data for the FDA, it was discovered there was an additional affected product lot. The firm subsequently expanded the recall to include this new lot code.
• Testing leading up to the January recall and the March and May recall expansions found that samples of the dog food contained excessive, potentially toxic amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs, but very high amounts can cause serious health problems like kidney failure or death.
• At this time, the only pet products that have been recalled are Hills Pet Nutrition canned food made for dogs.
• Pet owners should discontinue feeding their pets these recalled products.
• The FDA is asking veterinarians who suspect vitamin D toxicity in their patients to report them through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Pet owners can also report suspect cases to the FDA.

What is the Problem?

The FDA has become aware of reports of vitamin D toxicity in dogs that ate certain canned dog foods manufactured by Hills Pet Nutrition and marketed under the Hills Science Diet and Hills Prescription Diet brands. This is a developing situation, and the FDA will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity?

Excess vitamin D in the diet can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. Vitamin D at toxic levels can cause kidney failure and death. Pet owners whose dogs have been eating the recalled brands and are showing these symptoms should contact their veterinarians.

For more information, please see Vitamin Toxicity in Dogs.

What Brands Have Been Recalled?

On January 31, 2019, Hills Pet Nutrition notified the FDA about a report of vitamin D toxicity in a dog that ate a canned Hills dog food and initiated a recall of 25 products. On March 20, 2019, Hills expanded the recall to include 19 additional products of canned dog food. The recall is only for canned dog food and does not affect canned cat food, dry food (kibble), or treats.

The list of recalled dry dog food products provided to the FDA on January 31, 2019 includes:

• Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 3384
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T10
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T25
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 3389
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T04
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T10
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T19
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T20
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 5.5 oz, SKU 3390
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T11
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T23
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 122020T07
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7008
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T30
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T07
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T11
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T22
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T23
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Canine Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 10423
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T17
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T19
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T04
• Hills Prescription Diet z/d Canine 5.5 oz, SKU 5403
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T17
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T22
• Hills Prescription Diet g/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7006
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T19
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T20
• Hills Prescription Diet j/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7009
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T20
• Hills Prescription Diet k/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7010
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T10
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T11
• Hills Prescription Diet w/d Canine Vegetable & Chicken Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 10129
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T04
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T21
• Hills Prescription Diet w/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7017
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T30
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T11
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T12
• Hills Prescription Diet z/d Canine 13 oz, SKU 7018
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T04
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T22
• Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Canine Vegetable & Tuna Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 10086
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T05
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T26
• Hills Prescription Diet Derm Defense Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 10509
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T05
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Small & Toy Breed Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 4969
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T18
• Hills Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entre 13 oz, SKU 7036
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T12
• Hills Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Entre Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7037
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T13
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T14
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T23
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T24
• Hills Science Diet Adult Turkey & Barley Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7038
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T06
• Hills Science Diet Adult Chicken & Beef Entre Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7040
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T13
• Hills Science Diet Adult Light with Liver Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7048
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T19
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entre Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7055
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T31
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T13
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entre Dog Food 13 oz, SKU 7056
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T31
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T20
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T24
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Turkey & Barley Entre 13 oz, SKU 7057
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T19
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Dog Food 12.5 oz, SKU 10452
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T14
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T21
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew Dog Food 12.5 oz, SKU 10763
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T04
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T05
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T11

The list of additional canned dog food products provided to the FDA on March 20, 2019 as part of an expanded recall includes:

• Hills Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Lamb Canned Dog Food 13 oz, 12-pack, SKU 2697
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T25
• Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 3384
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T29
• Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 5.5 oz, 24-pack SKU 3388
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T18
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 3389
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T28
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T24
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T25
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Canine Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew 5.5 oz, 24-pack SKU 3391
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T27
• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 10423
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T27
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T28
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T24
• Hills Prescription Diet g/d Aging Care Turkey Flavor Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7006
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T22
• Hills Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight/Glucose Management Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 10129
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T11
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T05
• Hills Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight/Glucose Management with Chicken Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7017
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T24
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T25
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T09
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T10
• Hills Prescription Diet r/d Canine 12.3 oz, 12-pack SKU 7014
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T21
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T27
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T28
• Hills Prescription Diet Digestive Care with Turkey Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7008
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T21
• Hills Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Entre Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7037
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T22
• Hills Science Diet Adult Beef & Barley Entre Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7039
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T31
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T21
• Hills Science Diet Adult Chicken & Beef Entre Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack SKU 7040
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T10
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 112020T11
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entre Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack 7056
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T28
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew Dog Food, 12.5 oz cans, 12-pack SKU 10449
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T28
• Hills Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Adult Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 10451
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T28
• Hills Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Adult 7+ Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 10452
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T28
• Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken & Vegetable Entre Dog Food 12.8 oz, 12-pack, SKU 2975
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 092020T28

The additional canned dog food lot code provided to the FDA on May 17, 2019 includes:

• Hills Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack SKU 3389
  • Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T21

The recalled products were distributed through retail pet stores and veterinary clinics nationwide.

What is FDA doing to address the situation?'

After receiving a pet owner complaint about a dog with vitamin D toxicity that ate a Hills canned dog food, Hills Pet Nutrition notified the FDA on January 31, 2019, that it was recalling more than 20 types of canned dog food due to potentially toxic levels of vitamin D.

In response to a complaint submitted to the FDA by a pet owner, FDA requested that Hills Pet Nutrition test a retain sample. A retain or retention sample is a sample of food that is held by the manufacturer of previously made product. These samples are used for a variety of reasons including verifying shelf life, quality, microbiological, chemical or physical components. On March 20, 2019 based on findings, the firm subsequently expanded its recall to include an additional 19 lots of food.On May 17 , 2019, the firm expanded its recall to include an additional product lot code for a variety of canned dog that was in the recall list.

FDA scientists are analyzing reports submitted to the agency and the information currently available to determine whether the illnesses are definitively connected to the recalled products.

What Do Retailers Need To Do?

Dont sell the recalled foods. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased recalled products, if they have the means to do so (such as through shoppers card records or point-of-sale signs).

What Do Pet Owners Need To Do?

If your pet is having symptoms of vitamin D toxicity, contact a veterinarian immediately. Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number.

Dont feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animal. Contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or throw the products away in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.

You can report suspected illness to the FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your states FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Its most helpful if you can work with your veterinarian to submit your pets medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

What Do Veterinarians Need To Do?

First, dont sell the recalled foods to your clients and contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages veterinarians to contact clients who have purchased recalled products, if they have the means to do so (such as through medical records or sales receipts).

The FDA urges veterinarians treating vitamin D toxicity to ask their clients for a diet history. We also welcome case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. You can submit these reports electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your states FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

Veterinarians should also be aware that vitamin D toxicity may present as hypercalcemia, similar to dogs that have consumed rodenticide. In these cases, we suggest that you confirm diet history to verify whether the dog has been eating any of the recalled products.

The information in this release reflects the FDAs best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and parties involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

Additional Information