Premium pet food brand Years has voluntarily recalled its dog food after receiving numerous reports of suspected eye complaints in dogs. The subscription service, which provides fresh dog food tailored to individual pets' needs, contacted customers via email to advise that it had identified a "potential" link between its buckwheat ingredient and a dry eye condition.
The company, which states its fresh meals are prepared by chefs, urged owners to cease feeding Years products to their pets immediately. Years confirmed it had received reports of suspected dry eye cases.
Recall Details and Company Response
The company stated on its website: "As a precaution, we're issuing a voluntary recall of all Years Fresh Meals (excluding Chef's Collection)."
"This follows a small number of reports of dogs having a potential adverse eye reaction to buckwheat, a common and approved ingredient, which we include in our meals. As of August 16, this has affected 0.1% of our customers."
"We know for some, this will strike as overly cautious, but at Years, we will always put every dog's health and wellbeing first."
"Your subscription is paused for six weeks, and we will be reformulating our recipes without buckwheat."
Reformulation and Customer Compensation
In place of buckwheat, the firm will reformulate its recipes with quinoa, and customers will receive a thank-you gift in their next subscription box.
The company urged dog owners to stop feeding Years fresh meals "immediately", regardless of whether their pet is displaying symptoms. It also advised owners not to feed the meals to any other animal, nor to donate or sell them.
The company stated they will provide a free collection of any unused food and apply a full credit to the pet owners' accounts for the order.
Symptoms and Owner Reactions
Symptoms to watch for include excessive blinking or squinting, thick discharge, and persistent pawing at the eyes. Dogs may also display signs of general discomfort around the eyes. Should any of these symptoms appear, contact your vet and mention this recall.
Anyone with queries can get in touch with Years on their website, by email, WhatsApp, or SMS.
Dog owners took to social media to voice their concerns, with one person writing on TikTok: "My cockapoo has been on Years since January. She was diagnosed with dry eye in May. I feel so guilty."
Another said: "I'm appalled that they are only offering credit. I don't want my dog to eat this food anymore."
A third commented: "I'm so upset for all the owners and dogs who have been affected. It's breaking my heart reading the Facebook comments."
