Has this ever happened to you? You hear on the news that your pet’s food has been recalled because of a safety issue. As your heart races, you think, “What should I do now?”

First, stop feeding the food and look for a similar diet or ask your veterinary team for suggestions. Presuming your pet has already eaten some of the recalled food, also ask your veterinarian what to watch for and next steps to take. Then, return the food to the store where you bought it or dispose of it safely so that no other animals can eat it.

If you think your buddy has been sickened or died because of the food, lodge a complaint with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can do this online or by contacting the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Finally, stay up to date on the FDA website for Pet Food Recalls and Withdrawals.