WARNING: Sweet Potato Chews From China Poisoning Dogs

Despite repeated warnings to consumers regarding the possible tainted chicken jerky treats from China, instances of otherwise healthy dogs developing symptoms of kidney failure are still occurring.

This time, there’s a new culprit – sweet potato chews imported from, you guessed it, China.

Brands being implicated in reports on the Veterinary Information Network are:

• Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs
• Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats
• Drs. Foster and Smith
• Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality

In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration refused an import of sweet potato treats from China due to contamination with a highly toxic pesticide known asPhorate. View the FDA import refusal here.

According to a report from PoisonedPets.com:

Phorate is an extremely toxic organophosphorus compound and is among the most poisonous chemicals commonly used for pest control. It is used in agriculture as a pesticide and Phorate is identified by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) and Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) as one of the “most toxic” set of pesticides known (aka a Bad Actor) in the world.

To date, none of the brands or products listed above have been recalled either by the FDA or voluntarily by their manufacturers/distributors. Much in the same way that the chicken jerky treats are linked to dog illness, an exact known cause has yet to be determined and a recall cannot be issued by the FDA.

Symptoms reportedly caused by the sweet potato treats imported from China include:

• Increased drinking and urinating
• “Accidents” in the house
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Blood and urine tests show azotemia (high BUN and Creatinine), dilute urine, and glucose in the urine (that isn’t diabetes).

It is becoming increasingly more important than ever to be diligent when purchasing treats for your dog that you check the country of origin. Don’t be fooled by sly marketing tactics, either! Many companies, knowing that Chinese imported products are often avoided by consumers, resort to trickery on their packaging. They will use American flags or red, white, and blue colors on the package; say in big, bold letters, “An American Company;” or, simply say “Distributed in the USA” on their packaging to fool you into poisoning your dog with their product.

If you have a dog that enjoys sweet potato chews, the best option is to make them yourself. They are really quite easy to make, cost very little, and are healthy and poison-free! For simple instructions, click here. The only ingredient you’ll need is the sweet potato.