Tainted Jerky Treats Have Caused Illness in More Than 3,600 Dogs So Far

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about jerky treats that have sickened thousands of pets across the country. 

The FDA has been testing various jerky tenders and strips to find the source of contamination that has killed an estimated 600 pets and so far has not narrowed in on a cause. 

The suspected jerky treats are being sold as strips or jerky tenders and are made from various combinations of chicken, duck, sweet potato and dried fruit. The FDA says the fact that these items are treats, should allow you to easily eliminate them from your dog's diet for the time being. 

The FDA warns that symptoms can appear within hours or even a few days of consuming the tainted jerky and include vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea and increased water intake and urination. More serious illnesses like kidney failure and  pancreatitis have also been reported. 

While a number of dogs have died, the FDA stresses that many more have successfully recovered from consuming the problem jerky. Testing is ongoing to determine a more specific cause. 

If your dog becomes sick, it is recommended you save the remainder of the treat so testing could be performed. 

To report complaints you can visit the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling 312-353-7840.