ALERT: Petco and Petsmart Pull All Chinese Made Cat Treats Over Contamination Fears

| Published on January 12, 2015

After both Petsmart and Petco Animal Supplies Inc. announced in 2014 that they would be removing China-made treats from their shelves, Petco has accomplished the goal first, having just completely removed all China-made cat treats from shelves at more than 1,300 retail stores nationwide, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com.

The move makes Petco the first national pet specialty retailer to complete this transition and affirms the company’s commitment to listening to customers and putting the health and safety of pets first.

“As a trusted partner for pet parents, we believe this is the right thing to do, and we’re proud to take this step in the best interest of pets,” said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. “What we feed our pets matters, and this milestone supports the company’s steadfast commitment to putting our customers, partners, animals and the communities we serve first.”

Petco has not carried any cat food items from China for several years.

The decision to pull China-made cat treats from shelves affirms Petco’s commitment to listening to customers and doing the right thing in the best interest of pets, even if it means a major re-haul in the store.

The safety and health benefits of food and treats continue to be top concerns for pet owners. According to a recent survey, “Natural, Organic and Eco-Friendly Pet Products in the U.S.” by Packaged Facts:

48 percent of cat owners agree that fear of pet food contamination and product safety is a key consideration for the pet foods they buy.

50 percent of cat owners seek out food made in the U.S.

“Customer response to our expanded assortment of treats has been great,” Myers says. “And we are equally pleased at just how responsive our vendor partners have been in helping us source an entirely new line-up of high-quality, predominantly U.S.-made treat and chew alternatives.”

Discontinuing the sale of China-made treats allows Petco to expand the assortment of safe and healthy alternatives that are made in the U.S. or in other regions around the globe that support complete pet health.

Customers will still have plenty of variety, thanks to all the new made in the USA treats that are hitting shelves. Image source: Petco.com
Customers will still have plenty of variety, thanks to all the new made in the USA treats that are hitting shelves. Image source: Petco.com

Pet parents looking for alternatives to China-made dog or cat treats will find a broad and completely refreshed selection of U.S.-made products at Petco from brands like American Jerky, Blue Buffalo, Blue Ridge Naturals, Canidae, Colorado Naturals, Dogswell, Good Lovin’, Isle of Dogs, Merrick, Natural Balance, Nature’s Variety, Prairie Dog, Zuke’s and more. Petco also carries a number of safe and long lasting treats and chews from other regions of the world, including New Zealand, Australia and South America.

For more information about Petco or to find a location near you, visit petco.com.