If you have been searching for a Darwin’s cat food recall, here is the most important thing to know: as of the FDA’s October 26, 2026 notice, this is an advisory and not a company recall. The FDA is telling cat owners not to feed two specific lots of Darwin’s chicken cat food because testing found Salmonella. According to the agency, it recommended a recall and the company declined. That means the food may not be pulled for you, so checking your own freezer matters more than usual.

What the FDA advisory says

The notice, titled FDA Advisory: Do Not Feed Two Lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Chicken Recipe Cat Food Due to Salmonella, covers this product:

• Product: Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats
• Lot 12731: manufactured July 8, 2026
• Lot 12493: manufactured April 2, 2026

The labels do not carry an expiration date, so the lot number is what you need to look for. The FDA says it tested samples after a consumer complaint. It reports that two cats developed gastrointestinal illness after eating the food, that one of them was hospitalized, and that both recovered after they stopped eating it.

The FDA says it recommended that the firm, Arrow Reliance, Inc., doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, recall the two lots, and that the firm refused. Food Safety News covered the refusal as well. If you are a Darwin’s customer, the company’s own site and customer service are the place to get its response. We do not sell pet food and have no connection to any company in this story.

What to do if you have this food

Check the package for lot 12731 or 12493. If you have either one, the FDA’s guidance comes down to a few steps:

• Stop feeding it, even if your cat seems completely fine.
• Throw it away in a secure container that other animals, including wildlife, cannot get into.
• Clean and disinfect bowls, scoops, storage containers and surfaces, including the refrigerator or freezer where the food was kept.
• Do not count on the freezer. The FDA notes that neither freezing nor refrigeration kills Salmonella.
• Wash your hands well after handling the food or anything it touched.

If you threw the package out and cannot confirm the lot, it is reasonable to call your vet or the seller and ask what they suggest.

Signs to watch for in your cat

Salmonella in cats can cause vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, loss of appetite and unusual tiredness. Some pets carry the bacteria without looking sick and can still spread it around the home, which is why people in the household need to take care too. Young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system are at higher risk.

Cats are also very good at hiding when they feel bad. Our guide to what your cat is actually thinking covers some of the quiet ways they communicate. A cat that stops eating, hides more than usual or starts vomiting should see a veterinarian. This article is general information and not veterinary advice. In an emergency, call your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital right away, and tell them what your cat has been eating.

You can also report a suspected pet food illness to the FDA through its Safety Reporting Portal or your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator. Reports like the one behind this advisory are how problems get found.

Other pet food recalls in 2026

This has been a busy year for pet food safety notices. A few recent entries on the FDA’s recalls and withdrawals list:

• Fi Barking Labs dog supplements, September 2026 (possible Salmonella)
• Northwest Naturals raw pet food, August 2026 (Salmonella and/or Listeria)
• Fromm wet canned dog food, August 2026 (metal)
• Oma’s Pride Woof Complete canine chicken recipe, August 2026 (Salmonella)
• Pedigree wet dog food, July 2026 (plastic)
• Steve’s Real Food freeze-dried chicken recipe, June 2026 (thiamine)

Recalls usually apply to particular lots and not an entire brand, so read the specifics on the FDA page before you throw anything out. It is worth bookmarking that list and also keeping the bag or a photo of the lot code until the food is gone.

If your pet does get sick

When something feels off, a clear record helps your vet. Write down what your pet ate and when, what symptoms you saw and how often. Our free Pet Health Monitor gives you a simple place to log those signs and hand your vet a clear report, and it costs nothing. It does not replace a veterinarian, but it can make that visit go better. If the cost of care is the worry, our guide on what to do when you can’t afford a vet bill walks through the options.