Petco To Stop Selling Chinese Pet Treats After Dog Deaths

Petco announced Tuesday it will stop carrying China-made dog and cat treats by the end of 2014, after over 1,000 dog deaths were linked to imported jerky treats.

The pet retail chain’s decision to discontinue sales of China-made goods will take effect at all its 1,300 U.S. stores. “We know some pet parents are wary of dog and cat treats made in China, especially Chicken Jerky products, and we’ve heard their concerns,” Jim Myers, Petco CEO said in a statement.

Over 1,000 dog deaths and thousands of illnesses in dogs, cats, and people have been linked to jerky treats containing chicken, duck or sweet potato—mostly imported from China, the Food and Drug Administration said last week.

The FDA has been investigating Chinese manufactured pet treats for years but has not been able to identify a specific cause for the reported illnesses. Petco said that although the FDA hasn’t recommended recalled Chinese pet foods, it was taking a pre-emptive step.