What we don't sell and why

At Fresh Fur Pets, we believe in feeding pets food that’s safe, transparent, and truly nutritious. That means we’ve drawn a hard line against certain companies and practices.

We do not carry anything owned by these corporations:

• General Mills (Blue Buffalo)^[1]
• Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet)^[2]
• Nestlé (Purina, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies, Fancy Feast, Beneful, Dog Chow, Cat Chow, Beyond)^[3]
• Mars, Inc. (Royal Canin, Orijen, Acana, Iams, Eukanuba, Pedigree, Whiskas, Sheba, Cesar, Temptations, Nutro, Greenies)^{[4], [5]}

We also avoid brands with:

• A history of concerning lawsuits, safety issues, or recalls^[6]
• Mold contamination or repeated manufacturing failures^[6]
• Misleading labeling or low-quality rendered ingredients (e.g., diseased animals in “meat meals”)^{[7], [8]}
• Marketing practices that hide what’s really inside

If a brand wouldn’t proudly put every ACTUAL ingredient on the front of the bag, it won’t make it in front of our customers.

Popular Brands We Avoid

Diamond Pet Foods

Manufactures brands including Diamond Naturals, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, and others.

• Multiple recalls: Salmonella contamination (2012) and melamine cross-contamination (2007).^{[9], [10]*}
• 2012 facility shutdown after S. Infantis salmonella found in multiple formulas.^{[9], [11], [12]}
• Linked to a multi-state salmonella outbreak affecting both pets and people.^{[9], [13]}
• Uses rendered meat meals (e.g., chicken meal) that, under U.S. law, can contain animals that were diseased or failed inspection for human consumption.^{[7], [8]}

Blue Buffalo (Owned by General Mills)

• Recalls for elevated beef thyroid hormones, vitamin D toxicity (linked to hypercalcemia).^{[14], [15]}
• 2014 lawsuit for false advertising regarding ingredient claims.^[16]
• Admitted to previously denying the use of poultry by-product meal, later acknowledging supplier mislabeling led to inclusion. Settled for $32 million.^{[16], [17]}
• Supplier (Wilbur-Ellis) faced criminal charges for providing misbranded and adulterated poultry ingredients.^{[18], [19]}
• Faced class-action lawsuit over misleading marketing and high carbohydrate content in kibble products.^{[16], [54]}
• Uses rendered meat meals (e.g., chicken meal), that, under U.S. law, can contain animals that were diseased or failed inspection for human consumption.^{[7], [8]}

Hill’s Science Diet (Owned by Colgate-Palmolive)

• Uses rendered meat meals (e.g., chicken meal), which under U.S. law can include animals that were diseased or not approved for human consumption.^{[7], [8]}
• Multiple recalls: melamine contamination (2007) and Salmonella contamination (2014). ^{[55], [56], [57]}
• 2019 vitamin D recall — the largest single-brand canned dog food recall in U.S. history (~22 million cans, 33 varieties) — linked to pet deaths and 35+ lawsuits.^{[20], [21]}
• FDA found Hill’s failed to follow its own ingredient-verification procedures.^{[22], [23]}
• $2.6B lawsuit alleges Hill’s colluded with veterinarians to shift the grain-free heart disease narrative.^[24]
• Although some formulas list chicken by-product meal and chicken meal as first or second ingredients, the overall recipes still contain a significant amount of corn gluten meal and other carbohydrate sources. This results in formulas that are higher in carbohydrates and lower in meat content. Corn gluten meal, in particular, is a low cost by product of corn processing that the EPA also regulates as a biopesticide when applied to lawns.^{[25], [26][73]}
• Corn listed multiple times in the ingredients. In the U.S., more than 90% of corn is genetically modified and much of it is treated with glyphosate herbicides, raising concerns about GMO content and pesticide exposure in pet foods that rely on corn.^{[27], [79]}
• High-carbohydrate diets are known to cause spikes in blood sugar, which over time can contribute to metabolic disorders, inflammation, and obesity. This has led some veterinarians and researchers to question the role of carbohydrate-heavy formulas in long-term pet health.^{[28], [80], [81], [82], [83]}
• Critics — including veterinarians — argue that Hill’s Science Diet has earned its ‘vet-recommended’ label less from nutritional superiority and more from decades of influence in veterinary education, including campus feeding programs for students and staff and other educational support. By the time vets graduate, many are already accustomed to recommending Hill’s products.^{[31], [32], [76], [84], [85], [86]}

Despite its reputation as the ‘vet-recommended’ gold standard, Hill’s Science Diet has faced legal entanglements, major recalls and criticism over its ingredient sourcing and carbohydrate-heavy formulas. Critics point out that much of its veterinary endorsement stems from company-funded education programs, rather than from independent nutritional evaluation.^{[84], [85], [86], [20], [22], [24], [31], [76]}

Purina (Owned by Nestlé)

• Uses rendered meat meals (e.g., chicken by-product meal, meat and bone meal), which under U.S. law can include animals that were diseased or not approved for human consumption.^{[7], [8]}
• Formulas often feature chicken or poultry by-product meal as a main ingredient, yet still include substantial amounts of corn gluten meal, rice, and other carbohydrate sources. This results in higher carbohydrate formulas and lower in meat content. Corn gluten meal, in particular, a low cost by product of corn processing, is regulated by the EPA as a biopesticide when applied to lawns..^{[25], [77]}
• Corn listed multiple times throughout the ingredients. In the U.S., more than 90% of corn is genetically modified and much of it is treated with glyphosate herbicides, raising concerns about GMO content and pesticide exposure in pet foods that rely on corn..^{[27], [79]}
• High-carbohydrate diets are known to cause spikes in blood sugar, which over time can contribute to metabolic disorders, inflammation, and obesity. This has led some veterinarians and researchers to question the role of carbohydrate-heavy formulas in long-term pet health.^{[28], [80], [81], [82], [83]}
• Long recall history: melamine (2007), salmonella (2013), low thiamine in cat food (2012), plastic in canned food (2021), elevated vitamin D in veterinary diet (2023).^{[33], [34], [35], [36], [37]}
• 1,300+ adverse event reports to the FDA between late 2023 and early 2024.^[38]
• Faced lawsuits over toxins in Beneful (linked to pet deaths), misleading “natural” claims, glyphosate contamination, PFAS in packaging, plant odors, and alleged false marketing of “prescription” pet foods.^{[39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [78]}
• Critics, including veterinarians, argue that Purina earned its ‘vet-recommended’ label less from nutritional superiority and more from decades of influence in veterinary education — funding nutrition courses, supplying textbooks, and giving free or heavily discounted food to students. By the time vets graduate, many are already accustomed to recommending Purina products.^{[87], [88], [89], [31], [59], [60], [61], [76]}

Purina’s massive marketing reach and veterinary endorsements make it one of the most recognized names in pet food. However, critics point out its reliance on low-cost rendered ingredients, the use of controversial fillers such as corn gluten meal, and a history of recalls and consumer complaints — all of which raise serious concerns for informed pet owners^{[33], [36], [38], [62], [63], [64], [65], [76], [87], [88], [89]}

Royal Canin (Owned by Mars, Inc.)

• Uses rendered meat meals (e.g., chicken meal), which under U.S. law can include animals that were diseased or not approved for human consumption.^{[7], [8]}
• Although some formulas list chicken by-product meal and chicken meal as first or second ingredients, the overall recipes still contain a significant amount of corn gluten meal and other carbohydrate sources. This results in formulas that are higher in carbohydrates and lower in meat content. Corn gluten meal, in particular, is a low cost by product of corn processing that the EPA also regulates as a biopesticide when applied to lawns.^{[25], [26], [66]}
• In the U.S., more than 90% of corn is genetically modified and much of it is treated with glyphosate herbicides, raising concerns about GMO content and pesticide exposure in pet foods that rely on corn..^{[27], [79]}
• High-carbohydrate diets are known to cause spikes in blood sugar, which over time can contribute to metabolic disorders, inflammation, and obesity. This has led some veterinarians and researchers to question the role of carbohydrate-heavy formulas in long-term pet health.^{[28], [80], [81], [82], [83]}
• Recall history:
  • 2006: Excess vitamin D3 in vet diets (illness)^[45]
  • 2007: Melamine contamination crisis^[45]
  • 2023: Mislabeled feline renal diet recall^{[46], [47]}
• Critics, including veterinarians, argue their ‘vet recommended’ reputation is closely tied to its deep involvement in veterinary education rather than quality of ingredients — from sponsoring conferences and funding nutrition programs to providing free or discounted food to vet students.^{[76], [90], [91], [92], [48], [67], [70]}
• Lawsuits: Royal Canin has faced a class action over deceptive "prescription-only" marketing that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, a Canadian class action claiming excessive vitamin D in some formulas caused pet illness or death, and another reported class action involving health claims on its products.^{[49], [50]}

Royal Canin markets itself as a scientifically formulated, vet-endorsed brand. Critics, including veterinarians, note that much of this reputation stems largely from the company’s deep financial ties to veterinary education and clinics rather than from ingredient quality alone. Its reliance on controversial ingredients such as corn-gluten meal and rendered meat meals raises concerns among informed pet owners.^{[76], [90], [91], [92], [67], [70], [71], [72]}

Victor

• In November 2023, Victor recalled every bag of its dry dog food sold nationwide (best by dates before 10/31/2024), as part of a massive salmonella recall affecting all pet food brands produced by Mid America Pet Food.^{[51], [52]}
• Includes blood meal — a rendered byproduct made from dried animal blood, which can come from any animal species. It is often used as a protein booster but lacks the complete amino acid profile of real meat.^[53]

Marketed as high-protein and performance-focused, Victor’s reliance on rendered ingredients and the scope of its 2023 recall raise serious concerns about safety and ingredient quality.^{[51], [7]}

Our Promise to You

We’re committed to carrying only foods we’d feel confident feeding our own pets.

When you shop with us, you can trust every product has been carefully vetted for quality, safety, and integrity. Many of our favorite foods are also recommended by veterinarians and developed with experts, including PhD nutritionists—proving that trusted, science-backed pet food doesn’t only come from the big corporations.

Because your pet’s health isn’t just our priority—it’s our passion.

References

1. General Mills: Blue Buffalo brand.
2. Colgate-Palmolive: Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
3. Nestlé Purina PetCare (About).
4. Mars, Incorporated: Our Brands.
5. Mars Petcare completes acquisition of Champion Petfoods (ORIJEN/ACANA).
6. FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts (Pet Food).
7. AAFCO: Understanding Pet Food (consumer hub) ; see also Byproducts (definition) .
8. FDA (CVM) response excerpt re: use of animals that died other than by slaughter in animal food (hazard controls).
9. CDC: 2012 Salmonella Infantis outbreak linked to Diamond dry dog food.
10. dvm360 timeline: May 24, 2007 — Diamond recalls Nutra Nuggets (melamine cross-contamination) ; see also FDA 2007 pet-food recall archive (melamine) .
11. AP/CBS: SC plant temporarily shut down; multiple recalls (2012).
12. DogFoodAdvisor: Diamond suspends shipments from SC plant (2012).
13. AVMA: Salmonella contamination in dog food linked to outbreak in humans (2012).
14. FDA: Blue Buffalo recall for elevated beef thyroid hormones (2017).
15. AVMA: Blue Buffalo dog food recalled for excess vitamin D (2010).
16. Keil v. Lopez, 862 F.3d 685 (8th Cir. 2017) — Blue Buffalo $32M settlement affirmed ; see also FindLaw case page (backup) .
17. dvm360: Blue Buffalo admits by-product meal present (2015).
18. DOJ: Wilbur-Ellis & Diversified Ingredients guilty pleas (2018).
19. DOJ: Texas manager plea—adulterated poultry meals (2019).
20. FDA: 2019 Hill’s expanded vitamin D recall (33 varieties, 86 lots).
21. dvm360: Hill’s recall scale and FDA findings.
22. FDA Warning Letter to Hill’s (Nov 2019).
23. AVMA: FDA says Hill’s failed to follow own procedures.
24. Reuters (Feb 7, 2024): Hill’s pet food unit sued over health marketing (KetoNatural seeks $2.6B) ; see also PetfoodIndustry (Feb 13, 2024) overview .
25. EPA Biopesticides Fact Sheet: Corn gluten meal (2002) ; see also 40 CFR 152.25(f): Minimum risk active ingredients (includes corn gluten meal) .
26. USDA ERS: >90% of major U.S. corn is GE.
27. USDA ERS: Recent trends—GE corn & herbicide tolerance (incl. glyphosate).
28. Kayser et al. (2024). The role of carbohydrates in canine and feline nutrition. (Review on glycemia/obesity) .
29. Rankovic A., Bartges J., Chandler M.L., German A.J., Larsen J.A., Perez-Casal J., Romano F.R., Villaverde C., Verbrugghe A. “Role of Dietary Carbohydrates in the Health of Dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2019;255(5):546-554. .
30. Verbrugghe & Hesta 2017: Cats, carbs & obesity (review).
31. Hodgkins, DVM (2008), Canadian Veterinary Journal — Letter criticizing commercial pet foods and noting Hill’s partnerships; example of veterinarian critique.
32. Hill’s Educational Institution Engagement Policy (PDF) — documents campus feeding programs for staff, faculty, and students (incl. VIP Market).
33. Nestlé Purina press release (Mar 30, 2007): ALPO Prime Cuts canned dog food recall — melamine ; see also FDA archived notice (PDF) .
34. Nestlé Purina press release (Aug 30, 2013): Purina ONE beyOnd dry dog food — Salmonella recall ; see also dvm360 coverage (Sep 5, 2013) .
35. Nestlé Purina press release (May 11, 2012): Veterinary Diets OM canned cat food — low thiamine (Vitamin B1) ; see also VIN Recall Center summary (May 2012) .
36. Nestlé Purina press release (July 14, 2021): Pro Plan Complete Essentials Tuna Entrée in Sauce 3 oz canned cat food — potential plastic pieces ; see also PetSmart product notice (confirmation) .
37. FDA (Feb 8, 2023): Nestlé Purina recalls Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dry dog food (elevated vitamin D) ; see also FDA (Mar 10, 2023): Expanded recall notice .
38. FDA (July 31, 2024): Summary of Purina pet food adverse event reports (~1,300) and FDA actions ; see also AVMA (Aug 14, 2024): FDA confirms no public-health concerns with Purina pet foods .
39. Reuters (Feb 25, 2015): Class action alleges Purina Beneful contains substances toxic to dogs .
40. ClassAction.org (May 4, 2020): Purina pet food glyphosate class action (Jacquin v. Nestlé Purina) .
41. Top Class Actions (Nov 2023): Purina packaging allegedly contains PFAS (class action) .
42. PetfoodIndustry (Jun 3, 2024): Residents file class action over odors from Denver Purina plant ; see also CBS Colorado (Jun 19, 2025): New ‘stench’ lawsuit details impact on community .
43. Moore v. Mars Petcare, Purina, Hill’s, et al. (N.D. Cal. Dec. 7, 2016): “Prescription” pet food antitrust/false marketing complaint (PDF) .
44. AVMA News (2011): “Learning under the influence” — vet schools adopt conflict-of-interest policies; notes that freebies/sponsored talks can bias students and that Hill’s, Iams, and Purina run college feeding programs.
45. Petful: Royal Canin recall history (2006 vitamin D; 2007 melamine).
46. PetfoodProcessing: 2023 Renal Support F mislabeling recall.
47. CatFoodAdvisor: 2023 Royal Canin recall details.
48. UC Davis SAVMA: Royal Canin University Feeding Program — discounted veterinary diets for students, residents, faculty & staff (no Rx needed) ; see also Royal Canin FAQ: University Feeding Program account details .
49. LII: Royal Canin U.S.A., Inc. v. Wullschleger – cert. grant & case summary ; see also U.S. Supreme Court Opinion (Jan 15, 2025) .
50. BigClassAction.com: Royal Canin Canada Co. Excessive Vitamin D Pet Food Class Action
51. FDA: Mid America Pet Food expanded recall (Nov 9, 2023) incl. Victor .
52. CDC: Salmonella outbreak notices (MAPF/Salmonella context).
53. AAFCO definition: Blood meal = rendered animal blood ingredient. Note: FDA surveys do not show evidence of dogs/cats used in pet food ingredients.

55. Petful: Hill’s Science Diet recall history (includes 2007 melamine & 2014 Salmonella) .
56. CBS News (Mar 30, 2007): Recall now includes dry pet food (Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry) .
57. FDA (Jun 2, 2014): Hill’s recalls 62 bags of Science Diet dry dog food for Salmonella (archived PDF) .
58. AVMA News (2011): “Learning under the influence” — concerns about bias from company freebies/sponsored talks; notes Hill’s, Iams, and Purina run college feeding programs.
59. JAVMA Commentary (2011): Ethical concerns about providing freebies to veterinary students (potential undue influence).
60. Univ. of Arizona CVM (2023): Purina lectures to vet students; goodwill grants, scholarships, SAVMA support.
61. UC Davis SAVMA: Purina student/resident food program with discounted products (student-run sign-ups).
62. Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult (Chicken) — ingredients list shows whole grain corn, meat & bone meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal .
63. Purina ONE Chicken & Rice — ingredients list shows corn gluten meal and chicken by-product meal ; see also product PDF (backup) .
64. Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Chicken & Rice — ingredients list shows corn gluten meal and poultry by-product meal ; see also product PDF (backup) .
65. DogFoodAdvisor (updated Mar 4, 2024): Purina Dog Chow review — critiques use of rendered “meat and bone meal,” “chicken by-product meal,” and corn gluten meal among top ingredients. .
66. DogFoodAdvisor: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium — estimated ~53% carbohydrates (dry matter) .
67. AVMA News (2011): “Learning under the influence” — concerns about bias from company freebies/sponsored talks in vet schools. .
70. Dally M. (2011) JAVMA: “Ethical considerations raised by the provision of freebies to veterinary students” — peer-reviewed commentary on industry gifts and bias. .
71. DogFoodAdvisor: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Adult — critic review discussing corn/corn gluten meal and by-product meals (ingredient quality concerns) .
72. Wareham KJ et al. (2017) BMC Vet Res: Sponsorship bias and quality of randomised controlled trials in veterinary medicine. .
73. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley — Average Nutrient & Caloric Content (Carbohydrate/NFE 53.8% DM) .
74. Fox M.W., DVM (Britannica “Advocacy for Animals”): “Conflicts of Interest in the Veterinary Profession” — argues pet-food company influence reaches vet curricula and practice .
75. Fox M.W., DVM: “The Future of the Veterinary Profession” — open letter noting AVMA’s partnership with Hill’s and other corporations and raising concerns about industry influence in vet education and pet diets. .
76. Pet Fooled (2016) — documentary directed by Kohl Harrington; features veterinarians critiquing pet food industry practices, ingredient quality concerns, and corporate influence on veterinary education. .
77. Dog Food Advisor. “Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review (Dry).” Updated September 12, 2024. Available at: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/purina-pro-plan-dog-food-dry/ .
78. ClassAction.org. “Nestlé Purina Lawsuit Alleges Dozens of ‘Natural’ Pet Foods Contain Synthetic Ingredients.” Filed October 2023. .
79. Benbrook, C. M. (2016). “Trends in glyphosate herbicide use in the United States and globally.” Environmental Sciences Europe, 28(1), 3.
80. Hewson-Hughes, A. K., Gilham, M. S., Upton, S., Colyer, A., Butterwick, R. F., & Miller, A. T. (2011). The effect of dietary starch level on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in cats and dogs. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(S1), S105–S109.
81. Perry, L. M., Farhoody, P., Shofer, F. S., & Glickman, L. T. (2020). Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey. bioRxiv. Preprint.
82. Carciofi, A. C., Takakura, F. S., de-Oliveira, L. D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J. T., Brunetto, M. A., & Prada, F. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92(3), 326–336. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00794.x
83. Ranković, A., Adolphe, J. L., Ramdath, D. D., Shoveller, J. L., & Verbrugghe, A. (2020). Glycemic response in nonracing sled dogs fed single starch ingredients and commercial extruded dog foods with different carbohydrate sources. Journal of Animal Science, 98(8), skaa241. PMCID: PMC7455921.
84. Pierson, L. “Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition.” Catinfo.org — “Veterinarians often prescribe Hill’s Prescription dry c/d… only ten percent water and [with] a high level of species-inappropriate ingredients.”
85. Hodgkins, E., DVM. “Feline Pearls Gleaned From Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins” — “Another example of Hills ‘ingenuity’ at the expense of the pet.”
86. Becker, K., DVM. Quoted in ABC7/WJLA investigation, “How lab tests show pet food ingredients are no better or cleaner…” — “There is no medicine in prescription pet foods. There’s nothing ‘prescription’ in the food at all.”
87. Falconer, W., DVM. “Question Pet Food Ingredients.” Vital Animal. — “Pet food ingredients are clearly not as manufacturers would have you believe.”
88. Gruenstern, J., DVM. “Dogs Call Bull$hit on Prescription Diet.” 4Paws Pantry. — “This food was the lowest quality in the list. It contains GMO corn, soy (lots of it!)… synthetic vitamins/minerals… ‘natural flavors’…”
89. Hodgkins, E., DVM, Esq. “Protocol for Success in Managing, Even Curing, Feline Diabetes.” FelineDiabetes.com. — “No feline diabetic should eat any type or brand of dry food. This includes Purina DM dry (a high-carbohydrate, corn-containing formula…).”
90. Pierson, L., DVM. “Marketing Labels: Breed-specific and Veterinary Diets.” Catinfo.org. — “Royal Canin was one of the first companies to come out with these breed specific diets as a marketing gimmick… many veterinarians… defer to these large companies (Hill’s, Purina, … Royal Canin) with huge marketing budgets sponsoring our professional meetings and infiltrating veterinary schools.”
91. Morgan, J., DVM. “Conflict of Interest in Pet Food Research?” DrJudyMorgan.com. — “Pet Food Institute… its members are the folks in the pet ‘feed’ industry, including Mars, Nestlé-Purina… Royal Canin… They spend their time influencing FDA… What is needed are independent labs and scientists.”
92. Fox, M. W., DVM. “Nutrigenomics and the Pet Food Revolution.” DrFoxOneHealth.com. — “The claims being made by the providers of over-priced, often unpalatable and nutrient deficient, prescription-only manufactured pet foods are generally questionable and often lacking in sound clinical and scientific evidence of being of any benefit with a few exceptions.”