Years Dog Food Recall 2026 | What's Happening & What Owners Need to Know
- We Walk Woofs
- 11 hours ago
- 10 min read
Published 10:30am 18 August 2026 - Dave @ We Walk Woofs
The dog food brand Years have taken the decision to issue a full voluntary recall of all its fresh dog food meals following reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye. The recall, announced yesterday, 17 August 2026, covers Years puppy, adult and senior fresh meals, with customers advised to stop feeding their dogs affected products immediately. Years says it is investigating a potential link with buckwheat, an ingredient used across its current fresh recipes, although the cause of the reported cases has not yet been confirmed and laboratory testing is continuing. Treats and Breed Health+ supplements are not included in the recall.
In this guide, we explain which products are affected, the symptoms owners should watch for, what Years currently knows, and what to do if you have Years food at home.
Years Dog Food Recall Summary Years has taken the customer-focused decision to recall all of its fresh meals after around 57 suspected cases of sudden dry eye in dogs were reported by owners. Years has advised customers to stop feeding the meals immediately while its investigation continues. Symptoms of dry eye in dogs can include redness, discharge, squinting, excessive blinking and pawing at the eyes or face. If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, contact your vet for advice.
Why Has Years Dog Food Been Recalled?
Years has recalled its fresh dog food meals after receiving reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye, meaning tear production was significantly reduced in both eyes. As of 16 August 2026, Years said it had received 57 suspected cases among approximately 40,000 customers during the year.
The company says it began seeing an unusual pattern of reports in late July and subsequently started investigating whether there could be a link with its food. Years has identified buckwheat, which is included in all of its current fresh recipes, as one potential factor being investigated.
However, it is important to stress that a definitive connection between sudden bilateral dry eye in dogs and buckwheat has not been confirmed. Years says independent laboratory testing and specialist investigations are continuing, and the possible association with buckwheat has not been confirmed.
Because of the increasing number of reports and the potential seriousness of severe dry eye, Years, to its credit, has taken the decision to issue a precautionary voluntary recall of all its fresh meals rather than wait for the investigation to conclude.
What We Know From Years So Far
A statement from Years has confirmed that they have been made aware of "a number of reports of dogs developing sudden, bilateral dry eye" and that they have recalled all meals and have initiated a formal investigation and are currently working with customers, vets, specialist advisers and independent labs to examine product-related, supply chain and environmental factors,
"Our investigation has identified a potential link between buckwheat, a common ingredient, which is used in several dog foods, and these cases. Ultimate confirmation will come with laboratory testing, but we've taken the precautionary decision not to wait, and voluntarily recall all Years fresh meals with immediate effect."
In our view, Years should be applauded for taking the very difficult commercial decision of recalling all meals in order to put the welfare of their customers and dogs over profit.
"As of 16th August, Years has received 57 suspected cases of dry eye, out of approximately 40,000 customers year to date - 0.1%. With the majority reported after the 12th of August. Rising case numbers -combined with input from customer advocates, further feedback from ophthalmologists, and growing evidence around buckwheat, have led us, on 17th August, to make the decision to proactively and voluntarily issue this full recall."
Which Years Dog Foods Have Been Recalled?
The recall covers all Years fresh dog food meals, rather than a particular flavour, recipe or production batch. This includes its fresh meals formulated for puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs.
Years says all of its current fresh recipes contain buckwheat, at approximately 6.3% to 7.2% depending on the recipe. Because buckwheat is one of the factors currently being investigated, the company has taken the precautionary decision to recall the entire fresh-food range while testing continues.
Are Years Puppy Meals Recalled?
Yes. Years fresh puppy meals are included in the recall, and owners are being advised to stop feeding them.
Are Years Adult Dog Meals Recalled?
Yes. All Years fresh adult dog meals are affected, regardless of recipe or flavour.
Are Years Senior Dog Meals Recalled?
Yes. Years fresh meals designed for senior dogs are also included in the recall.
Are Years Treats and Supplements Recalled?
No. Years says its treats and Breed Health+ supplements are not included in the current recall.
The recall specifically applies to its fresh dog food meals.
What Is Sudden Bilateral Dry Eye in Dogs?
Sudden bilateral dry eye means that a dog develops a sudden and significant reduction in tear production in both eyes at around the same time. The veterinary term for dry eye is keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).
Tears are essential for keeping the surface of the eye lubricated, comfortable and protected. When insufficient tears are produced, the eyes can quickly become sore and inflamed. Symptoms may include:
Redness
Squinting
Excessive blinking
Thick or sticky discharge
Cloudy or dull-looking eyes
Pawing or rubbing at the face.
In more severe cases, prolonged or very low tear production can damage the surface of the eye and may contribute to complications such as corneal ulceration.
Dry eye can have several different causes, so developing KCS does not by itself prove that a particular food is responsible. Years is currently investigating why a number of dogs eating its fresh meals have reportedly developed sudden symptoms affecting both eyes.
Years Dog Food Recall SummaryRecall date: 17 August 2026 Products affected: All Years fresh meals Puppy meals: Affected Adult meals: Affected Senior meals: Affected Treats: Not affected Breed Health+ supplements: Not affected Reported issue: Suspected sudden bilateral dry eye Suspected factor being investigated: Buckwheat Cause confirmed? No What owners should do: Stop feeding affected meals Subscriptions: Paused initially for six weeks |
Is Buckwheat Responsible for the Years Recall?
At this stage, it is not known whether buckwheat is responsible for the reported cases of dry eye.
Years says its investigation has identified a potential association with buckwheat, an ingredient used across its current fresh meal recipes. As a precaution, the company is removing buckwheat from its recipes and plans to return to using quinoa while its investigation continues.
However, Years has made clear that the suspected connection has not yet been confirmed. Independent laboratory testing and specialist investigations are still underway to determine whether buckwheat, something associated with the ingredient supply, or another factor altogether could be responsible.
It is therefore important not to conclude that buckwheat has been proven to cause sudden dry eye in dogs. At present, the evidence shows a possible association that Years considers significant enough to justify recalling its fresh meals while the cause is investigated.
When Did Years Start Using Buckwheat?
According to independent dog food review site All About Dog Food, Years introduced buckwheat into its recipes in December 2025, replacing much of the quinoa previously used in its meals.
The current Years recipes contain approximately 6.3% to 7.2% buckwheat, depending on the recipe. Following the reports of sudden bilateral dry eye, Years has said it plans to remove buckwheat and return to using quinoa while its investigation continues.
The timing is understandably of interest because the recipe change preceded the cases now being investigated. However, the timing alone does not establish that buckwheat caused the reported eye problems. Years currently describes the connection as a potential association, and laboratory testing is still underway to determine whether buckwheat, another factor associated with the ingredient supply, or something else entirely may be responsible.
When Did Years Become Aware of the Dry Eye Reports?
Years has published a timeline explaining how the issue developed and when it decided to recall its fresh meals:
Late July 2026: Years says it began receiving multiple reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye. Earlier reports had not appeared to form an unusual pattern.
1 August 2026: Years sought advice from an RCVS-recognised Specialist in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Based on the information available at the time, the specialist considered a link with the food highly unlikely but recommended further investigation.
Early August 2026: Years began a more detailed investigation. This included independent laboratory testing, discussions with veterinary ophthalmologists, questionnaires for affected owners, and the appointment of a toxicologist and root-cause analysis specialist.
12–16 August 2026: The number of reports increased significantly. Years says the majority of the 57 suspected cases recorded by 16 August were reported during this period.
17 August 2026: Years announced a voluntary recall of all its fresh meals. The company said the decision followed the increasing number of reports, further information from veterinary ophthalmologists and customer advocates, and growing concern around a possible association with buckwheat.
It is important to note that this timeline is based on Years' own account of its investigation and does not necessarily indicate when the first affected dog developed symptoms.
What Testing Is Years Carrying Out?
Years says it has commissioned independent laboratory testing as part of its investigation into the reported cases of sudden bilateral dry eye.
According to the company, testing is being carried out through UKAS-accredited laboratories and includes checks for:
Heavy metals
Mycotoxins
Alkaloids
Pesticide residues
Veterinary drug residues
Years has also appointed an independent toxicologist and a root-cause analysis specialist, while continuing to consult veterinary ophthalmologists and collect information from owners of affected dogs.
The aim is to establish whether the reported cases are connected to buckwheat itself, something associated with a particular ingredient supply, another contaminant or an entirely different cause.
At the time of writing, Years has not announced a confirmed cause, and the laboratory investigation is still ongoing. The company says it intends to publish further findings as they become available.
What Should I Do If I Have Years Food at Home?
If customers currently have Years fresh dog food at home, Years is advising them to stop feeding it immediately, even if their dog appears completely healthy and symptom free.
The company also advises owners not to give the recalled meals to another animal, donate them or sell them. Instead, Years is going above and beyond by arranging for unused food to be collected as part of its investigation and says affected customers will receive account credit.
If your dog has eaten Years food but is showing no signs of illness, Years currently says there is no evidence that a precautionary veterinary examination is necessary solely because of the recall.
However, if you notice any changes to your dog's eyes — including redness, squinting, excessive blinking, thick discharge, cloudiness or pawing at the face — contact your vet promptly and let them know that your dog has been eating food included in the Years recall.
For the latest instructions on returns, collections and account credits, owners should check the official Years recall page, as its guidance may change as the investigation progresses.
Should My Dog See a Vet If It Has No Symptoms?
If your dog has been eating Years fresh meals but is not showing any symptoms, Years currently says there is no need to arrange a veterinary examination purely as a precaution. Owners should nevertheless stop feeding the recalled meals and keep an eye out for signs of dry eye, including redness, squinting, excessive blinking, thick discharge, cloudy or dull-looking eyes, or pawing at the face. If any of these symptoms develop, Years advises contacting your vet promptly and mentioning that your dog has been eating food included in the recall.
What Happens to Years Subscriptions Now?
Years has issued a statement saying that all fresh food subscriptions have been automatically paused for an initial six weeks while it investigates the reported cases and reformulates its meals. The company plans to remove buckwheat from its recipes and return to using quinoa before restarting production. Customers do not need to manually pause their subscriptions, and Years says it will contact them with further information about when deliveries are expected to resume. Because the investigation is ongoing, the six-week timeframe could change, so customers should check the official Years recall page for the latest updates.
Has the FSA Recalled Years Dog Food?
At the time of writing, we have not found a separate recall notice for Years dog food published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The current recall was announced voluntarily by Years themselves, and they say that they notified both the FSA and Trading Standards before issuing the recall on 17 August 2026. Years has voluntarily recalled all of its fresh meals while investigations into the reported cases of sudden bilateral dry eye continue. We will update this article if the FSA publishes its own alert or further regulatory information becomes available.
How Has Years Responded?
Years' response to the situation has, in our view, been admirably precautionary and customer focused. Rather than waiting for the laboratory investigations to establish a definitive cause, the company took the significant step of voluntarily recalling all of its fresh meals and pausing subscriptions for an initial six weeks.
Years is arranging free collection of unused food, providing affected customers with account credit and reformulating its meals to remove buckwheat while the investigation continues. It is also working with veterinary ophthalmologists, an independent toxicologist and a root-cause analysis specialist to try to establish exactly what has happened.
Perhaps most notably, Years made the decision to recall its entire fresh range before a cause had been scientifically confirmed. For a subscription-based business, voluntarily stopping deliveries across its core product range is clearly a substantial commercial decision, but one that strongly suggests customer safety and the welfare of their dogs have been prioritised over short-term profit. While the investigation still has important questions to answer, taking that step while the evidence was still developing can reasonably be seen as a responsible and commendable decision that placed precaution and the welfare of customers' dogs ahead of continuing business as usual.
Latest Updates on the Years Dog Food RecallWe will keep this section updated as Years, the Food Standards Agency or veterinary specialists release further information.
We will update this page as soon as further test results, regulatory guidance or information from Years becomes available. |
FAQsIs Years dog food being recalled?Yes, all fresh meals. Why was Years dog food recalled?Reports of sudden bilateral dry eye and investigation into a potential buckwheat association. Is buckwheat dangerous to dogs?Buckwheat is used as an ingredient in some commercial dog foods, but the current Years investigation is looking at whether there may be an association between buckwheat and the reported cases of sudden bilateral dry eye. At present, this link has not been confirmed and laboratory testing is continuing.
Should I stop feeding Years dog food?Years says yes. When will Years dog food be available again?Subscriptions are currently paused for an initial six weeks. |
