Reports of dogs experiencing vision loss leads UK-based pet food company to recall all fresh dog meals

Pet food company Years has issued a voluntary recall of all its fresh dog meals following reports of dogs developing a sudden eye condition that in some cases progressed to sight loss, while eating Years Fresh Meals, which contain buckwheat. The company is now investigating the ingredient as a potential cause of the condition, sudden bilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

KCS occurs when a dog's tear production drops off abruptly in both eyes, leaving the surface irritated, red, and painful. Left untreated or poorly managed, it can progress to corneal damage, visual impairment, and blindness.

In its recall notice, Years said the action covers all Years Fresh Meals—also known as Years Signature Meals—except its Chef's Collection. The company framed the decision as a "precautionary measure." The United Kingdom-based brand delivers meals through a subscription service and also sells through some retailers.²

The company pointed to buckwheat, an ingredient added to its recipes, as a potential contributing factor of the reported effects in dogs fed its fresh meals, and said it is investigating a potential contamination within its buckwheat supply.

According to a report by The Guardian, the recall followed a recipe change, which may have caused the reported condition in dogs.²

"All confirmed cases have emerged after buckwheat was introduced into the recipe, with zero confirmed cases prior to that change," Years wrote in an announcement.¹ "Possible contamination [was] identified in supplier product during our review, with laboratory testing due soon." The company added that causation has not yet been proven.

All of the company's recipes contain between 6.3% and 7.2% buckwheat depending on the formulation, spanning puppy, adult, and senior meals.¹ Years described buckwheat as a common, approved pet food ingredient that had cleared its standard ingredient and recipe approval process before introduction, including supplier approval, ingredient specification review, and formulation in line with European Pet Food Industry Federation guidelines.¹

Fifty-seven suspected cases grow to 192 in days

In late July, Years began receiving multiple reports of dogs experiencing sudden, bilateral dry eye.¹ On August 1, an independent veterinarian and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) specialist in small animal clinical nutrition advised that a link to Years foods was unlikely based on available data but recommended further investigation, the company said.¹ Years then launched what it described as an evidence-based investigation.

By August 16, the company had received 57 suspected cases out of the roughly 40,000 customers it had served so far in 2026, with most cases reported after August 12.¹ Citing rising case numbers alongside input from customer advocates and ophthalmologists, Years said it decided on August 17 to issue a full recall.¹ As of August 18, it reported that 192 customers had flagged potential eye issues.

According to Years, the investigation included United Kingdom Accreditation Service independent laboratory testing of its meals and Breed Health+ supplements for heavy metals, mycotoxins, alkaloids, pesticides, and veterinary drug residues; direct engagement with ophthalmologists; a customer questionnaire; and two independent experts appointed to lead root cause and toxicology investigations.¹ A root cause analysis specialist is focused on product and manufacturing processes and a toxicologist on biological interactions, supported by an RCVS specialist in small animal clinical nutrition, the company said.¹

What clients should watch for

"Bilateral" means both eyes are affected, typically with zero tear production, and "sudden" means the condition comes on quickly rather than developing gradually.¹ Years is advising owners to stop feeding the meals immediately, whether or not a dog shows symptoms, and not to feed them to any other animal, donate them, or sell them.¹

KCS may cause the following signs in dogs:

• Excessive blinking or squinting
• Continuous pawing or rubbing at the eyes
• Thick discharge
• General discomfort around the eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Inflamed and reddened eyes
• Dry and dull cornea

Years said it advised the Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards before issuing the recall.

According to the pet food company, it is reformulating its recipes to remove buckwheat and return to quinoa and has paused subscriptions for an initial 6 weeks.¹ "We know for some, this will strike as overly cautious," the company said, "but at Years, we will always put every dog's health and wellbeing first."¹

Online concern grows, company deletes post calling buckwheat safe

The recall has drawn a visible response from owners online. According to The Guardian, a Facebook group focused on the dry eye cases, set up the Friday before the recall, had surpassed 2100 members by the following Wednesday morning, and a separate group formed to weigh potential legal options for those affected.² Owners posting in the groups have described their dogs developing sudden-onset dry eye while being fed Years meals, with many sharing photos of their dogs, the outlet reported.²

KCS is typically a chronic condition, and treatment is lifelong in most cases, although most dogs respond well to therapy.³

Buckwheat was added to Years recipes several months ago.² In a February blogpost on the company's website that has since been deleted, the company had addressed whether the ingredient was safe for dogs. The post stated that buckwheat is generally safe for these canines when cooked properly and fed in sensible portions. "Here at Years, we carefully calculate the right amount of buckwheat to include…ensuring your dog receives all the benefits without any risks," the post stated.²

References

1. Voluntary recall of all Years fresh meals. Years. Updated August 19, 2026. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.years.com/pages/care?srsltid=AfmBOorh_iq_iWu5uF-UerG-bq-v2PTy0iDhFBdVTBuxYRHIgeNHpoCm
2. Jones R, Marsh S. Dog food recalled after reports of pets losing their sight. The Guardian. Published August 19, 2026. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/19/dog-food-recalled-after-reports-of-pets-losing-their-sight-years#img-2
3. Ofri R. Diagnosis and treatment of dry eye in dogs. dvm360. March 17, 2021. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnosis-and-treatment-of-dry-eye-in-dogs