Dogs Continue To Become Ill and Die from Eating Chicken Jerky

For several years, pet families have been warned of the danger of feeding dogs chicken jerky made in China. It appears that jerky carrying the “made in the USA” label also causes illness and death.

Problems with jerky were first noted by the FDA in 2007 when veterinarians reported that dogs developed symptoms of kidney disease after eating chicken jerky treats. Because the symptoms resembled a genetic disease common in Basenji’s called Fanconi syndrome, it was called, “Fanconi-like syndrome.”

Some dogs that became ill were saved by intensive, expensive medical care, but several hundred died. Because most chicken jerky treats were imported from China, the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinarians, and the public put pressure on treat manufacturers to switch from imported Chinese-made jerky to jerky manufactured in the US. The number of jerky-related illnesses has slowed, but has not stopped; jerky manufactured in the US is now the problem. Some think the problem continues because companies are importing chicken from China and manufacturing the jerky in the US so the jerky treats can be labelled, “made in the USA.”

Until the ingredients in chicken jerky that are causing kidney disease are identified, I recommend avoiding all commercially prepared chicken strips. Because chicken jerky Is also used to manufacture some sausage and biscuit treats, avoid these as well.

Good alternatives to chicken jerky are sweet potato chips, dried lamb lung and beef liver, fresh peas, and beans.

No pets fed home-made chicken jerky have  ever been reported ill. Try it. Home-made jerky appears perfectly safe.

If you choose to feed chicken jerky, biscuits, or sausages, request immediate veterinary help if your dog vomits, becomes weak, or is not passing urine.

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