Full Breakdown
Years Dog Food Recall Over Sudden Dry Eye Cases in Dogs
8/22/2026, 11:16:45 AM
The Recall and Reported Eye Condition
Years, a UK subscription service for fresh dog meals, announced a voluntary recall of all fresh meals (excluding the Chef’s Collection) after owners reported a surge in sudden bilateral dry eye, medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The condition prevents tear production, causing painful inflammation and, if untreated, can lead to corneal damage and vision loss.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Late July 2026 – Owners reported sudden bilateral dry eye.
- 1 August 2026 – A veterinarian and a Royal College specialist said a link to Years food was “unlikely” but advised further investigation.
- 12 August 2026 – Most cases emerged after the brand introduced buckwheat into recipes.
- 16 August 2026 – Years recorded 57 suspected cases among roughly 40,000 customers (?0.1 %).
- 17 August 2026 – Years issued a voluntary recall of all fresh meals.
- 18 August 2026 – The company reported 192 customer submissions describing “potential, yet unverified, eye problems.”
- 19 August 2026 – Recall notice confirmed all confirmed cases occurred after buckwheat was introduced; testing for contaminants continued.
- 20 August 2026 – No conclusive laboratory result had been published.
Data and Scale of Reports
- Approximately 40,000 customers served in 2026.
- 57 suspected dry-eye cases logged by 16 August (?0.1 %).
- By 18 August, 192 owners had submitted reports of “potential, yet unverified” eye issues.
- Buckwheat comprised 6.3 %–7.2 % of fresh-meal recipes before the recall.
Company Investigation and Official Statements
Years appointed a toxicologist and a root-cause specialist to lead investigations and engaged ophthalmologists and veterinary professionals. Subscriptions are paused for six weeks, meals are being reformulated with quinoa, unused food will be collected free of charge, and customers will receive a full credit. Years informed the UK Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards before the recall.
Owner Experiences and Impact
Pet owners describe extensive veterinary visits, costly treatments, and emotional distress. Elizabeth, a civil servant in north London, reported that her six-year-old cavachon Chester required more than ten vet appointments and hundreds of pounds in care since developing red, gunky eyes in May. Marie Carter-Robb, editor of *Pets Magazine*, said her seven-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel Phoebe was the only one of three dogs to develop dry eye after a buckwheat-containing diet began in April 2025. Adele Chaplin, a Suffolk resident, noted that her eight-year-old greyhound Lettuce has faced “thousands” of pounds in treatment costs and increased insurance premiums.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Veterinary opinion: The 1 August specialist deemed a direct link “unlikely,” yet later observations reported mixed treatment outcomes.
- Case numbers: The figure of 57 suspected cases contrasts with the 192 unverified reports, reflecting rapid increase but limited diagnostic confirmation.
- Cause: Buckwheat is a potential factor, but no laboratory analysis has confirmed contamination or causation.
What It Means for Dog Owners
Owners are urged to stop feeding any Years fresh meals immediately and to seek veterinary assessment if signs such as excessive blinking, squinting, thick discharge or pawing at the eyes appear. The recall includes free collection of remaining product and a full credit. Until the investigation concludes, the link between the recalled food and KCS remains an “attributed claim” rather than an established fact.
