Dog Milk Substitute Recalled Over Vitamin D Levels That Could Sicken Puppies

Two complaints of rickets, a bone disease associated with Vitamin D deficiency, have already been reported.

Published: 4/18/2026, 10:23:39 PM EDT

Dog Milk Substitute Recalled Over Vitamin D Levels That Could Sicken Puppies — Revival Animal Health recalls select lots of its Breeder's Edge Foster Care Canine and Shelter's Choice Canine Milk Replacers on April 17, 2026 (FDA)

A pet health company is recalling several of its canine milk replacement products after discovering that some batches contained dangerously inconsistent levels of Vitamin D. The error could cause serious illness or even death in young dogs.

Revival Animal Health, based in Orange City, Iowa, announced on Friday that it is recalling select lots of its Breeder's Edge Foster Care Canine and Shelter's Choice Canine Milk Replacers. The products were sold nationwide through online retailers and brick-and-mortar pet stores in resealable bags and 12-ounce jars.

The recall, published in an April 17 notice by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), spans seven products across both brands, ranging from 1-pound bags of Shelter's Choice Canine Milk Replacer to 20-pound bags of Breeder's Edge Foster Care. Affected UPC codes include 817160011087, 817160011070, 817160011056, 817160010189, 817160011025, 817160010172, and 817160010073, with best-by dates ranging from mid-2026 through early 2028.

The issue stems from variable levels of Vitamin D during production—meaning some containers had too little while others had too much. Two complaints of rickets, a bone disease associated with Vitamin D deficiency, have already been reported.

While low levels are a concern, elevated Vitamin D poses a more immediate danger. According to the FDA, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning the body cannot quickly flush out excess amounts the way it does with water-soluble vitamins. Instead, it accumulates in fat tissue and the liver—and at high enough concentrations, it can trigger kidney failure and death.

Dog owners should watch for warning signs including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, excessive drooling, and unexplained weight loss. Depending on how much of the product a dog consumed, symptoms linked to diet-based Vitamin D toxicity can develop gradually over time. Only a veterinarian can diagnose the condition, which may also present as elevated calcium and phosphorus levels or reduced kidney function in blood work.

Treatment typically involves removing the source of Vitamin D and helping the body eliminate the excess. In less severe cases that are caught early, a diet change may resolve the issue over several weeks or months; more serious cases may require medication and ongoing blood monitoring.

This is not the first time elevated Vitamin D has triggered a major pet food recall. In February 2023, Nestlé Purina PetCare recalled select lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental prescription dry dog food after two confirmed cases of Vitamin D toxicity—both dogs recovered after being taken off the diet.

A broader recall unfolded in late 2018 and into 2019, when the FDA alerted the public to potentially toxic Vitamin D levels found in dry dog food from multiple brands sharing a contract manufacturer. Hill's Pet Nutrition then recalled numerous lots of canned dog food, later expanding that recall multiple times. The FDA issued warning letters to both Hill's and Sunshine Mills Inc. in 2019 following its investigation.

Consumers who purchased any of the affected Revival Animal Health products are urged to stop use immediately and contact the company for a full refund. Revival Animal Health can be reached at 1-877-870-4059, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT. Pet owners whose dogs show any symptoms after consuming the product should contact a veterinarian right away. Suspected illnesses can also be reported to the FDA through its Safety Reporting Portal or by calling a state FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator.