Complain about a product or service

Canidae Pet Foods

A statement from Canidae:

September 2008
We apologize to all who have voiced their concerns with our new formulation. Canidae distributed letters to retailers, breeders, updated packaging, and provided in-store signage, however it appears that this message did not reach all of our customers.

The new formulation, with increased levels of meat protein, lowered carbohydrates, and an increased overall complex carbohydrate quality, provides the most nutritious, all natural, palatable products. Canidae never uses soy, corn, wheat, by-products, grain fractions, or fillers in our food.

If you believe your pet has experienced challenges related to the new formula we suggest feeding smaller portions multiple times a day. Adding warm water can decrease the chance of pets eating too quickly and not chewing thoroughly. It’s not unusual for pets to experience some digestive issues when transitioning, but if your problems persist, contact your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health concerns. For more tips, visit canidae.com/transitioningfromorig.html.

Due to increased commodity costs, we’ve changed our packaging sizes, reducing the overall weight by approximately 3-5 pounds per bag. The new sizes are more consistent with other brands and allow for easier handling.

We are committed to bringing quality products to pet owners and in June that commitment led us to Diamond’s manufacturing facility. Diamond facilities have rigorous quality control processes, utilizing a 141-point ingredient test protocol. All products are subject to a 10-point final product safety review and Canidae has also implemented hourly testing to confirm quality and product safety in our onsite laboratory. All Canidae products meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profiles in USDA and FDA approved facilities.

At Canidae, we are committed to providing you and your pets the highest standard of excellence for product quality, palatability, and customer satisfaction. Please call 800-398-1600 or visit www.canidae.com to let us know what we can do to serve you better.

Canidae
Scott Whipple and John Gordon
Owners
PO Box 3610
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

Marie of Austin, TX August 28, 2009

I have been feeding Candidae Chicken & Rice Kibble (yellow bag) along with their treats for approximately 4-6 months. After purchasing the last bag (Mid-late July 2009) my dogs have become gravely ill. My 12 y/o lab mix had frequent urination, fatigue, and diarrhea. This became urgent two days ago when she had severe rectal bleeding (puddles and puddles of blood). I rushed her to the ER vet where she stayed overnight hooked up to IV's and antibiotics. After, radiographs, tests, etc. we had no conclusion as to what caused this. She hasn't eaten anything other than Candidae and there is no possibility of her getting into anything. She is now on a specially prescribed diet from her primary vet. Treatment is ongoing and so far the bill has exceeded 1k. Since my older dog is on a special diet I've been monitoring my younger dog closely. Especially since she is still on Candidae chicken and rice. What do you know!?! She has the same yellow runny diarrhea and frequent urination. BOTH of my dogs are getting off and staying away from Candidae from this point on. The rest of the food (which is alot) is getting sent off for testing. I can't trust the safety of this brand at this point. Too risky. Oh, did I mention that since my other dog is on a different diet she has made a dramatic recovery? It's the truth.

Donevon of Atwater, CA August 25, 2009

I have fed my dog Canidae for 5 years with no problems. Then we bought a new bag of Canidae Lamb and Brown Rice Formula dry dog food on Aug 2nd, and began feeding from it approx. 1 week later. About a week later I began to notice an increase in water intake & frequency in urination. I kept an eye on him, but he displayed no further symptoms so I attributed it to the warm temperatures. On Aug 19th I had planned to make a vet appointment due to his continuing frequency urinating. That evening he yelped in pain, lost feeling in his back legs and lost bladder control. We rushed him to the vet that night. Friday, Aug 21st he was diagnosed with severe renal failure. He did not respond to treatment and had to be euthanized. Our vet bill will be approximately 1000.

Jolene of New Fairfield, CT August 22, 2009

We have gotten a purebred german shepherd who has been sick with blood in the stool and the yellow diarrhea with blood mucus. Twice he has been to the vets and has been treated with different medication only to not have it resolved. Today I went to this web site and could not believe that I read. Exactly the same thing that has been happening to my puppy has been happening to other dogs and they have died!!

susan of selden, NY August 3, 2009

My dog is 3 years old 96lbs and was being fed canidae all life stages since he was a puppy. I noticed he was scratching himself all the time. He didn't want to eat his food, when his hunger gets to him he would eat it. I decided to watch him when I let him out in the yard on 7/31 and noticed he was throwing up yellow frothy slime. His stool was yellow but semi-formed. After going online to google his problems I found out what was going on with canidae and I'm shocked to see his food is the cause, as I was reading I stopped got up and dumped his full bowl of food in the garbage.

I went and bought him wellness dog food. I am thankful for the internet because I think I caught this in time and he is now eating wellness without ANY canidae mixed in to transition him. I was too afraid to put any of that stuff in his new food. Now his new food doesn't sit it his bowl like canidae did he eats it right up! I had bought the largest size bag canidae makes and the pet store would not give me my money back! My dog seems to be better now. Its only been 3 days since he's been eating wellness and if I notice anymore throwing up or other problems off to the vet we'll go. Why doesn't the fda do something, people like me had no clue it was the food! Other animals are not so lucky!

Robin of St. Catharines, ON August 2, 2009

I was feeding my three cats Felidae cat food by Canidae and I bought the 8 pound bag. Usually I buy a smaller bag, but the pet store was out of the smaller bag. Two of the cats refused to eat it to the point of starving themselves for three days although when they were offered other people foods that they normally won't eat, they ate that no problem which told me they were starving. One of my cats ate the Felidae cat food sparingly and he started vomiting.

After three days I realized it probably was the food as it was a much darker colour than it should have been. I had thrown the bag out and when I called the company I got the old, "well not all batches are made exactly the same and maybe this is what the cats turned their nose up at." I said, " That doesn't make sence that two cats would starve themsevles and then why is the other one vomiting?" I bought a small bag of it and it was the right colour and the cats ate it and the other one stopped vomiting.

I had to get more food and all the store had was the large bags again, so I purchased it. Same thing happened the first day although the colour of the food was fine. I have switched the cats to PC finicky cat food until I can find out what is going on. The first bag, I threw out the bag the food came in but I have a small sample of it and the second bag I still have.The first bag was purchased the beginning of July, but I didn't use it until close to the end of July. The best before date is May 13 2010. Product number #3008 and it's the Cats and Kittens formula

Wanda of Winnipeg, MB July 30, 2009

I Swithched my 2 dogs dry food to Canidae lamb/brn rice All life stages (gradually in 3 weeks) and both of them suffered from yellow smelly runny pudding poohs. Once the large bag was done they had started to settle a little so I bought a second bag and now both of them are back to square 1. No vomiting or lethargy though. After all the complaints I have now read. I will proptly discontinue use!

Patty of Ann Arbor, MI July 25, 2009

I bought my dogs some cans of Canidae Dog Food, for all stages of life. I have a 12 year old Border Collie and a 7 year old Pit Bull. The Pit started vomiting and didn't do well. The Border vomited a little, but much of the food passed through her. The Border Collie DIED less than 12 hours after eating the food. The Pit is ailing and I hope she will make it. The vet thought they were poisoned.

I went to my vet and had to go to ER and the Border didn't make it. I am keeping vigil over my Pit and hope it will go well. The Vet said he didn't know what to do. I am so mad. The Border was FINE right before I fed her (9:00 PM) and DEAD by 4 PM next day. DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY! I called them and was told there had been NO complaints. They did say they would send me 4 free cans. Okay, how much were the cans (1.89 each), how much was ER vet bills for 2 dogs????

Peggy of Blairstown, IA July 16, 2009

I purchased a 44# bag of Canidae All Stages Dog Food just last week, for a new puppy that I picked up Monday 7-6-2009. The puppy breeder used Canidae so being the responsible dog owner that I felt that I was, I got him some Canidae. I have other dogs and one "WAS" a little CH Sire (fancy) AKC Show Yorkie named Taz. Only 4 lbs. and only 2 years old on 7-7-09.

So, it's hard to keep the new food away from the other dogs and of course they had to try it. Now, that little 4 lb. Yorkie is not a gobbler but just a couple days or so after introducing the Canidae into my home, my little 4 lb. Yorkie started drooling then completely soaked all the hair on the front of him "twice". This started Sunday July 12th 2009. I notice he's puking and can't even keep water down. His stoool were 100% blood. I called the Vet and she tells me to give him Pepto Bismol and Pedialite. I worked with him from 4 PM until almost 8:30 PM. He was alert but still sick and not peeing by my bedtime. I awoke at 4:30 AM (ish) and his poor little body was warm but he was semi stiff, still breathing. bloody stool everywhere and eyes rolled back into his head. Drove 90 MPH to 24/7 Animal Hospital. They started him on TV, gave him dextrose, etc. His labs show that his Pancreus was irritated from the food and threw out all sorts of enzimes that attacked all of his organs in his body. His blood was so thick from the dehydration that he likely had clots in every part of his body. About 2-3 hours after he was in the hospital his heart eventually quit, CPR ws initiated and I was called and updated. I decided to stop CPR because the doctor felt that he already had irreversible brain damage (from the puking and dehydration) which was even before the heart attack.

It's been "3" days since this happened and I'm still emotionally traumatized by this. I paid 2600 for this little dog not to mention the 1000 in Vet bills just for that one event that lead to his heart attack. Canidae Dog Food is horrible but I'm keeping this bag to have it tested for poisons!

Kathleen of Santa Cruz, CA July 4, 2009

Dog was puking after I gave him Canidae from a new bag of food. I asked the PetPals employee if they had any known problems with the food and was told no. I then find the consumer affairs website that has all sorts of information about this food making dogs sick, AND a statement from the Canidae company stating that they had put all sorts of information out to the retailers.

Kathleen of Santa Cruz, CA July 4, 2009

Fed my dog from a new bag of Canidae dog food on Wednesday and he puked a total of 6 times between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. I took the Canidae away and fed homemade rice with chicken and he has been puke free for 30 hours.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |