A practical reference for owners of dogs that have been eating Years fresh meals. Written by The Pets Larder as an independent natural pet food retailer, not affiliated with Years in any way.
Last checked: 23 August 2026. Recall information and case numbers are changing as the investigation develops — please check Years' current recall notice and your vet's advice before acting on anything here.
What has happened
On 17 August 2026, Years — a UK subscription fresh dog food company serving approximately 40,000 customers — issued a voluntary recall of all its Signature Meals. Its Chef's Collection line was excluded from the recall.
The recall followed reports from owners of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye — clinically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS — while their dogs were being fed Years meals. The reported figures need to be read carefully: Years first announced the recall after around 57 suspected cases of sudden bilateral dry eye were reported by Sunday 16 August. By Tuesday 18 August, the company had received around 192 reports of potential eye issues — a broader category that includes suspected KCS but is not limited to it. Not all 192 reports are confirmed cases.
Years is investigating buckwheat, an ingredient introduced to its recipes several months ago as part of a recipe overhaul. UK Pet Food (the industry body, of which Years is not a member) has said publicly that Years' investigation is "focused on potential contamination within a portion of its buckwheat supply, rather than buckwheat itself", and specifically cautions against drawing conclusions about buckwheat as an ingredient. No causal link between the food, the buckwheat, and the reported eye problems has been established. Laboratory and toxicology testing is ongoing.
Years has said it is reformulating with quinoa in place of buckwheat and has paused subscriptions for an initial six-week period while the investigation continues.
The situation is developing quickly. Both the reported case count and the scientific understanding may change materially in the coming weeks.
If your dog has been eating Years food
Stop feeding it immediately, whether or not your dog has any symptoms.
Years' own advice is to stop feeding all recalled fresh Years meals and not to pass the food on to another dog or animal. Uneaten meals can be thrown away, or Years is arranging free collection.
Even if your dog appears completely well, watch closely for the following symptoms and contact your vet promptly if any appear:
- Sticky, thick, mucusy discharge in or around the eyes
- Excessive blinking or squinting
- Rubbing or pawing at the face and eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness or inflammation of the eye area
- A dull, dry-looking appearance to the cornea
Onset has been reported as sudden in many cases. Symptoms may appear in one eye first and then the other, or in both eyes at once. Individual susceptibility appears to vary — some owners have reported one dog affected in a multi-dog household while others remained symptom-free.
If your dog is showing symptoms
This is a veterinary matter. KCS is a serious condition. Untreated or under-treated, it can progress to corneal ulceration, scarring, and permanent visual impairment. Early veterinary assessment and consistent treatment are important in reducing the risk of serious corneal complications.
Ask your vet about:
- A Schirmer tear test to measure tear production in both eyes
- Fluorescein staining to check for corneal ulceration or damage
- Prescription cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops — commonly used prescription treatments that work by suppressing the immune-mediated attack on the tear-producing glands
- Artificial tear supplements as directed
- Antibiotic drops if a corneal ulcer is present
- Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist if the case is severe, not responding, or you want a specialist assessment from the outset
Ask your vet directly what your dog's prognosis looks like based on the Schirmer values and cornea condition at diagnosis. This is not a question to guess at — the answer changes what you're planning for.
Immune-mediated KCS commonly requires long-term, and often lifelong, treatment with topical medication several times daily, together with regular veterinary monitoring. Whether tear production can recover depends on the underlying cause and the individual dog. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports an increase in tear production in approximately 80% of dogs with baseline Schirmer tear-test values of 2 mm/min or greater, but response rates vary with severity and individual factors. In the most severe cases, sight loss may not be reversible.
Supportive care alongside veterinary treatment
Nothing in this section treats, cures, or reverses KCS. Veterinary treatment addresses the underlying condition and protects the eye. The items below are supportive only, and should be discussed with your vet — particularly if your dog is on other medication.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have been studied as an adjuvant to standard treatment in canine KCS specifically, not just as generic anti-inflammatory support. A 2025 randomised study in Veterinary World found that dogs receiving oral omega-3 alongside injectable platelet-rich plasma showed greater improvement in Schirmer values, tear film breakup time, and conjunctival inflammatory markers than those receiving PRP alone. Earlier work has also examined omega-3 as an adjuvant to topical tacrolimus. The evidence is adjuvant evidence — it does not show that omega-3 alone treats KCS — and it is not equivalent to prescription eye drops. Speak to your vet before starting a supplement, particularly regarding dose and interactions.
Warm compresses. A clean, warm, damp cloth held gently over the closed eye for a minute or two can loosen dried discharge and provide comfort, but it does not treat the underlying condition. Use a fresh cloth each time, don't apply pressure, and don't direct heat at the eye.
Environmental humidity. If indoor air is particularly dry, a room humidifier may help some dogs feel more comfortable. Keep the humidifier clean, don't direct mist at your dog's face, and don't rely on humidification as a treatment.
Diet. Continue to feed a nutritionally complete, appropriate diet that your dog is doing well on. There is not sufficient evidence to recommend fresh, raw, or gently cooked food specifically as a treatment for immune-mediated KCS. If you were previously feeding Years and need to transition to a new food, discuss the change with your vet — the priority is nutritional completeness and consistency during a stressful period, not the format of the food.
Other supplements — curcumin/turmeric, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, bilberry, and various nutraceutical blends have been examined in small studies for canine KCS with mixed results. The evidence is limited and does not support presenting any of these as reliable treatments. If your vet is comfortable with a specific supplement as part of a long-term plan, that's a conversation to have with them, not something to add on the basis of internet advice.
What to be cautious of
A great deal of well-meaning advice circulates in Facebook groups and general pet blogs during a situation like this. Please treat the following with caution:
- Chamomile eye drops, aloe vera gel around the eye, herbal "eye rinses" — no evidence base, and potential to irritate an already inflamed cornea
- Colloidal silver drops — no evidence, and not appropriate near the eye
- Any product claiming to "cure" or "reverse" KCS — be particularly cautious of any supplement or natural product marketed on that basis
- Reducing or stopping prescribed veterinary drops in favour of unproven natural alternatives — this can allow KCS to worsen and increase the risk of painful corneal damage and vision loss
Documenting your dog's case and reporting
Whether or not you intend to pursue compensation or legal action, document everything now:
- All vet bills, invoice by invoice
- Vet diagnosis notes and Schirmer tear test values (both eyes, on every visit)
- Dated photographs of symptoms as they progress
- Records of your Years subscription — dates, deliveries, recipe change notifications, any marketing emails about ingredient changes
- All correspondence with Years — emails, chat logs, in-app messages
- Any refunds, credits, or offers made by the company
Reporting the suspected reaction:
- Report to Years directly so your dog's case can be included in their investigation
- Ask your vet to document the diagnosis and suspected dietary association in your dog's clinical records
- Keep all clinical records, including diagnosis, Schirmer tear-test values, prescriptions and dated photographs
- If you believe there is an unresolved food or feed safety issue, report the concern to your local authority food safety team. The FSA updated its guidance on 5 August 2026 to direct members of the public to report food problems via their local authority; local authorities then work with the FSA on food and feed incidents
Note that this is a pet food (feed) issue, not a veterinary medicine issue, so the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) is not the appropriate reporting route.
Legal options and peer support
Some affected owners are discussing potential compensation and legal options. Whether any formal compensation scheme or coordinated legal action develops remains to be seen. The Guardian reported on 19 August that a Facebook group for affected owners had passed 2,100 members, and that a separate group had been set up to weigh legal options.
These groups are a useful source of peer support and shared experience, but they are also emotionally charged and variable in the quality of advice being shared. Treat any medical advice from group members as anecdotal and cross-check with your vet before acting on it. If you're considering legal action, speak to a qualified solicitor rather than relying on group discussion — a solicitor with product liability or consumer law experience is the right starting point.
Living with a chronic diagnosis
If your dog ends up with permanent or long-term KCS, the reality is daily eye medication (sometimes several times a day), regular vet check-ins, ongoing cost, and vigilance for flare-ups and ulcers. Dogs can often adapt well to the routine of long-term eye treatment, particularly when treatment is established and monitored consistently. It is not the ending you were planning when you signed up to a premium fresh food service.
There will likely be a period of anger, guilt, and second-guessing. None of it is helpful and none of it is your fault. If a causal link is ultimately confirmed, it will be important to remember that owners made their feeding choices based on the information available at the time.
The most useful things you can do for your dog now are:
- Get veterinary treatment started early and stay consistent with the prescribed drops
- Feed a nutritionally complete diet your vet is comfortable with
- Document everything, in case compensation or legal action becomes an option
- Be sceptical of anyone claiming that a supplement or natural product can cure KCS
How The Pets Larder can help
We are an independent natural pet food retailer with no affiliation to Years. If you'd like to talk through what to feed your dog going forward, please come in or get in touch. We can help you find a food that suits your dog and — if your vet has agreed a supportive supplement is appropriate — point you to reputable options on our shelves.
We cannot offer veterinary advice, we will not sell you a "solution" to KCS, and we will not use this recall to push any particular product line. Your vet is the person to lead your dog's treatment. We are a place to buy a good food and get an honest conversation.
Sources
- UK Pet Food, Years pet food recall: information for pet owners (21 August 2026): ukpetfood.org
- Years, official recall information: years.com/pages/care
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Nasolacrimal and Lacrimal Apparatus in Animals, and Tear Stimulants and Immunosuppressants in Animals
- Veterinary World (July 2025), Injectable homologous platelet-rich plasma, alone or in combination with oral omega-3 supplementation, for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs (PubMed: 40584132)
- The Guardian (19 August 2026), reporting on the recall and affected-owner Facebook groups
- Food Standards Agency, Report a food problem (updated 5 August 2026): gov.uk/government/publications/report-a-food-problem
- dvm360, Fox Business, ITV News, and Dog Owners Guide — recall coverage August 2026
This document is for information only and is not veterinary or legal advice. Please consult your own vet for diagnosis and treatment decisions, and a qualified solicitor for any legal or compensation matters. The Pets Larder is not affiliated with Years and has no commercial interest in the recall. All facts about the recall are drawn from publicly reported information as of 23 August 2026 and may change as the investigation develops.
