Dog owners across the UK have been told to stop feeding Years fresh meals after reports of pets developing a serious eye condition that can, in some cases, lead to sight loss.
Years has voluntarily recalled all of its fresh meals, excluding its Chef’s Collection, while it investigates reports of sudden bilateral dry eye in dogs.
For owners whose dogs have developed symptoms, the past few months may already have meant repeated vet appointments, medication and considerable worry. Some owners have reported spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds on treatment.
Questions are now being raised on social media about whether those affected could eventually be entitled to compensation. At the moment, however, the investigation is still ongoing and we have not seen confirmation of a formal UK group legal action being launched.
So, what should Years customers do now?
What has Years recalled?
Years has recalled all Years Fresh Meals, also known as Signature Meals.
At the time of writing, the Chef’s Collection is currently excluded from the recall, but customers should check the latest advice from Years in case the position changes.
The company says customers should:
- Stop feeding Years fresh meals immediately, even if their dog has no symptoms
- Dispose of any unused meals
- Not give the meals to another animal
- Not donate or sell the food.
Years says its subscriptions have also been paused while it prepares meals using quinoa instead of buckwheat.
The company says customers who bought affected products directly will be contacted about refunds. People who bought Years meals from a shop can return them to the retailer for a full refund, without needing a receipt or order number.
Why has Years dog food been recalled?
The recall follows reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS. The condition occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears. It can cause significant pain and irritation and, without effective treatment, can lead to corneal damage and problems with vision.
Years initially investigated buckwheat, which had been added to its recipes several months earlier. It has since said that its investigation is focused more specifically on possible contamination within part of its buckwheat supply rather than buckwheat itself. Independent laboratory testing is continuing and Years says no definitive cause has yet been identified.
What symptoms should dog owners look for?
Years says owners should look out for:
- Excessive blinking or squinting
- Pawing or rubbing at the eyes
- Thick discharge
- Discomfort around the eyes.
If your dog develops any of these symptoms, Years advises contacting a vet immediately. The company says owners should tell their vet about the recall.
If your dog is showing no symptoms, Years still advises stopping the recalled meals immediately. If you have concerns about your dog’s health, speak to your vet.
My dog has developed eye problems. What should I do now?
Most importantly, follow your vet’s advice and make sure any recommended treatment or follow-up appointments continue.
While the cause of the reported cases is investigated, it also makes sense to start keeping a clear record of what has happened.
Report your dog's symptoms to Years
Years is asking affected owners to contact the company directly. It says it is collecting information about individual cases and, with permission, may also speak to vets or veterinary ophthalmologists as part of its investigation.
Reporting the case helps Years and its veterinary experts build a clearer picture of the reported cases as the investigation continues.
Keep details of the food your dog ate
Before disposing of recalled food, make a record of what you have. Years specifically recommends keeping packaging where possible until a refund or return has been dealt with, together with the batch code and best-before date.
It may also be sensible to photograph:
- The packaging
- Batch and product codes
- Best-before dates
- The name of the recipe
- Any remaining meals before disposal.
If you bought through a subscription, keep copies of your order history and delivery emails too.
Keep your veterinary records
Keep copies of records showing when symptoms started, what your vet found and what treatment your dog has received.
This could include:
- Consultation notes
- Test results
- Referrals to veterinary ophthalmologists
- Diagnoses
- Prescriptions
- Treatment plans.
If your dog’s eye problems started before you became aware of the recall, make a note of that too. A clear timeline could become important if investigators later try to establish whether there is a connection between particular products and the reported cases.
Create a simple timeline
It might also help to write down the key dates while they are fresh in your mind. For example:
- When did your dog start eating the relevant Years recipes?
- When did you first notice symptoms?
- When did you first visit the vet?
- What diagnosis was given?
- When did you stop feeding Years?
- How has your dog responded to treatment?
Photos showing how your dog’s eyes changed over time may also help provide a record of events.
Can I get a refund for Years dog food?
Yes. Years says customers who bought recalled meals directly will be contacted about refunds.
If you bought Years Signature Meals from a retailer, the company says you can take them back to the place of purchase for a full refund. You do not need a receipt or order number, and partially used packs are also covered.
A refund for the food itself is separate from the question of whether owners whose dogs have become ill might eventually be able to recover veterinary costs or other losses. That will depend on what the investigation establishes and whether any legal route subsequently becomes available.
Can I claim veterinary costs?
Some owners have described substantial veterinary costs. The Guardian has reported cases involving repeated appointments, specialist referrals, medication and ongoing treatment, with some owners saying they have already spent thousands of pounds.
If this has happened to you, keep evidence of anything you have had to pay for, including:
- Vet appointments
- Medication
- Specialist treatment
- Travel to veterinary appointments
- Insurance excesses
- Other directly related expenses.
Also keep records of costs paid by your pet insurer and any changes to your cover connected with the condition.
Years says owners who have incurred veterinary costs that they believe may be connected to the issue can submit their case for consideration through its insurer’s specialist claims handler.
The details are as follows:
Claims handler: Crawford & Company
Email: [email protected]
Quote Insurance Reference: 8191771
Crawford & Company will aim to contact people within five to 10 working days of receiving their email.
Submitting a claim does not mean costs will automatically be reimbursed. Years says claims will be assessed, and no causal link between its food and sudden bilateral dry eye has yet been established.
Is there a Years dog food group legal claim?
We have not found confirmation that a formal UK group legal action has been launched. However, a Facebook group has been created to discuss possible legal avenues for owners affected by the recall, and there is clearly growing interest in what rights owners may have.
As discussed above, Years has established a process through its insurer’s specialist claims handler for owners who have incurred veterinary costs they believe may be connected to the issue.
That is not the same as a group action. If evidence eventually establishes that a product caused harm, affected owners may want legal advice to explore their options.
What happens next?
If your dog has been affected, stop using the recalled meals, follow your vet’s advice, report your dog’s case and keep the evidence of what happened.
Join the Claim is monitoring developments surrounding the Years dog food recall, including the outcome of the company’s investigation and any further information about redress for affected owners. We’ll continue to share significant developments as they happen.
