Dog food recalled after reports of pets losing their sight

Urgent Recall Issued Over Dry Eye Reports

Premium dog food brand Years has issued an urgent recall of all its fresh meals after reports that some dogs developed an eye condition that can lead to sight loss if left untreated. The company told owners to stop feeding the meals to their dogs immediately and also advised against feeding them to other animals, selling, or donating them.

The recall follows reports of approximately 192 cases of suspected dry eye, a condition known medically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), which occurs when a dog cannot produce tears. Years said the issue could have a 'potential link' to its buckwheat ingredient, but stressed that this remains unverified.

Rising Case Numbers

Years said that as of the early hours of Wednesday, it had received 192 customer reports of 'potential, yet unverified, eye issues' out of roughly 40,000 customers. The company previously reported 57 suspected cases as of Sunday. In a message on its website, Years explained: '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 16 August, this has affected 0.1% of our customers.'

The condition, known as sudden bilateral dry eye, makes the eyes very sore and affects both eyes. The Royal Kennel Club says affected dogs may rub at their eyes, squint, or be sensitive to light, and warns that if the condition is not treated early or managed effectively, it can lead to visual problems and blindness.

Owner Accounts

David Felton, a PR consultant from Edgware, north London, said his dog Cookie had been eating Years food for two-and-a-half years before developing eye problems in April. Cookie's eyes became 'really gunky', which was initially attributed to a corneal abrasion. After two weeks without improvement, Cookie was referred to a specialist and diagnosed with bilateral dry eye disease. She now requires a steroid paste twice daily plus drops and gel. Felton estimated he had spent £1,500 on treatment and vet bills, leaving him 'extremely worried'.

Another owner, a 23-year-old London resident with a shiba inu, told the Guardian she had been feeding the new recipe for eight months and was worried about potential future eye problems.

Company Response

Years, which runs a subscription-based service delivering 'personalised' meals and also sells through retailers including Pets at Home, said the recall is precautionary. The investigation, which began on August 1 after reports emerged in late July, includes lab testing, engagement with ophthalmologists, and two independent experts. The company has paused subscriptions for six weeks and will replace buckwheat with quinoa. A blogpost from February discussing buckwheat safety was removed to avoid customer confusion, according to a spokesperson.

A Years spokesperson told the Guardian: 'The picture is mixed. Some [ophthalmologists] report dogs responding well to treatment … others have seen limited or slower responses.' The company apologized for any 'worry and disruption' caused.

Community Response

A Facebook group called 'Years Dry Eye Cases and info', set up on Friday, had passed 2,100 members by Wednesday morning. Another group has been created to discuss potential 'legal avenues for those that have been affected by dry eye with a potential link to the years.com recall'.