Do dogs need carbohydrates in their diet?

Dogs can digest some carbohydrates, but they do not biologically require large amounts of them. Their bodies are primarily adapted to process animal protein and fat. This is why many natural dog diets focus mainly on meat-based ingredients.

Is raw dog food safe for dogs?

Raw dog food can be safe when sourced from reputable suppliers and handled using proper hygiene practices. Many dog owners choose raw diets because they contain minimally processed ingredients and mirror a dog’s natural diet.

Why do dogs often have smaller poos on raw diets?

Dogs often produce smaller stools on raw diets because the food contains fewer fillers and more digestible nutrients. When a dog’s body absorbs more of the nutrients in their food, less waste is produced.

What is the 80-10-10 raw feeding ratio?

The 80-10-10 model refers to a common raw feeding structure made up of approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% raw bone and 10% organs. This ratio aims to mimic the nutritional balance found in whole prey animals.

Are raw bones safe for dogs?

Raw bones are suitable for many dogs and are very different from cooked bones, which should never be fed. Raw bones are softer and more digestible, and they also provide important nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, which support strong bones, teeth, and overall health. They can also help with natural dental cleaning through chewing. As with any part of a dog’s diet, bones should be appropriate for the dog’s size and fed correctly.

Should I be worried about bacteria in raw dog food?

Raw meat naturally contains bacteria, just like the meat you prepare in your own kitchen. The key is handling it properly, including storing it correctly, keeping surfaces clean, and washing hands after handling. Dogs are also naturally equipped to handle raw food, with digestive systems designed to break down and process it efficiently.

Can I start raw feeding if I'm new to it?

Yes. Starting with a simple, balanced approach is the best way to begin. Many dog owners choose a structured option, like our taster box, which includes 7 different proteins to try your dog on, so you can introduce raw feeding safely without needing to figure everything out yourselves.

Is raw feeding suitable for all dogs?

Raw feeding can suit many dogs, but every dog is different. Age, health, medical history, and individual sensitivities all matter, so any major diet change should be made carefully.

Years Dog Food Recall 2026: What UK Dog Owners Need to Know

Aug 20

7 min read

Years dog food recall 2026 information for UK dog owners following reports of potential eye problems

If you feed your dog Years, you may have seen the news that the UK dog food company has voluntarily recalled its fresh meals following reports of potential eye problems in some dogs.

Understandably, it's worrying news for dog owners.

But before this turns into another internet panic, let's look at what we actually know- and what we don't.

Because beyond the recall itself, there's a bigger conversation here.

How much do we really know about what's in our dogs' food — and why it's there?

What Has Happened With Years Dog Food?

Years has announced a precautionary voluntary recall of all Years Fresh Meals, excluding its Chef's Collection.

The company has advised customers to stop feeding the affected fresh meals immediately and not to give them to another animal, donate them or sell them.

The recall follows reports of dogs experiencing potential eye problems, including cases of sudden bilateral dry eye.

According to Years, its investigation has identified buckwheat as a potential contributing factor, and it is also investigating possible contamination within the buckwheat supply.

However, this distinction is really important:

A causal link between Years food and the reported eye problems has not currently been established.

Years says further independent laboratory testing and investigation are ongoing.

So this is a precautionary recall while the cause is investigated — not proof that Years food or buckwheat caused the reported conditions.

What Eye Problems Have Been Reported?

The condition being discussed is sudden bilateral dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

It occurs when a dog doesn't produce enough tears to properly lubricate its eyes.

Signs can include:

Red or inflamed eyes
Squinting
Sensitivity to light
Rubbing at the eyes
Thick or mucus-like discharge
Eyes appearing dry or dull

If you're currently feeding Years and you're concerned about your dog's eyes or notice any unusual symptoms, contact your vet for individual advice.

Is Buckwheat the Cause?

We don't currently know. And that's important.

Years says buckwheat was introduced into its recipes several months ago and has emerged as a potential contributing factor during its investigation.

The company is also investigating whether there may have been contamination somewhere within its buckwheat supply.

But testing is ongoing.

So headlines suggesting that buckwheat — or Years food itself — has definitively caused dogs to lose their sight go further than the evidence currently allows.

We'll update this article if further evidence becomes available.

But This Raises a Bigger Question About Dog Food

We're not interested in using another company's recall to shout:

"See! Raw is better!"

That would be far too simplistic.

Raw dog food isn't magically immune from food safety issues either. Like any food product, ingredients, sourcing, manufacturing, storage and handling matter.

But the Years recall does bring something we've been talking about at ROAR into very sharp focus:

Do we actually know what's in our dogs' food?

Pick up a dog food packet and look at the ingredients...

How many do you recognise?

Why is each ingredient there?

How has it been processed?

What nutritional purpose does it serve?

And perhaps most importantly:

Are we choosing our dogs' food around what their bodies need — or around what makes dog food convenient to manufacture, store and sell?

Those are questions worth asking regardless of what brand you currently feed.

When Did Dog Food Become So Complicated?

This is one of the reasons we're advocates for taking dog nutrition back to basics.

Dogs don't choose foods based on clever packaging.

They don't care whether something can sit in a cupboard for months.

And they're certainly not checking the latest food trends.

Their bodies care about nutrition.

When we look at canine biology — from their teeth to their highly acidic stomachs and relatively short digestive systems — we see an animal adapted particularly well to eating animal-based foods.

That's why biologically appropriate raw feeding centres around a remarkably simple combination:

Meat. Bone. Organs.

At ROAR, we follow an 80-10-10 approach:

80% meat
10% bone
10% offal/organs

No need to make dinner sound like a GCSE chemistry paper.

Just recognisable ingredients providing the nutritional balance dogs need.

👉 Want to understand the biology behind this? Read: What Should Dogs Actually Eat?

Does This Mean Raw Dog Food Is Always Safer?

No — and we think it's important to be straight about that.

Raw feeding comes with its own food-safety responsibilities.

Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria, which means sourcing, production, freezing, storage, defrosting and kitchen hygiene all matter.

The UK Food Standards Agency advises people handling raw pet food to wash their hands thoroughly, clean bowls and utensils, store raw pet food separately from human food and take precautions to prevent cross-contamination.

That's why responsible raw feeding isn't simply about throwing some meat in a bowl.

It's about feeding a balanced diet and handling it properly.

👉 We've covered this properly here: Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs?

Transparency Matters More Than Ever

One useful thing that can come from stories like the Years dog food recall is that they encourage us to become more curious about what we're feeding.

Not scared.

Curious.

Because dog owners should be able to ask:

What's actually in this?
Why is it there?
Where has it come from?
How has it been processed?
Is this ingredient nutritionally useful to my dog?

That's not being difficult.

That's being an informed dog owner.

And whether you feed kibble, cooked food, raw food or something in between, we think that's a conversation worth having.

Processed Dog Food vs Real Food

Ultra-processed food is increasingly part of the conversation around human nutrition.

Yet highly processed food has become completely normal when it comes to our dogs.

That's something we think deserves more attention.

Kibble, for example, is manufactured using high-temperature processing to create a product that's convenient, stable and easy to store.

Raw feeding takes a very different approach.

Instead of starting with the question:

"How do we make this last longer?"

We prefer to start with:

"What is a dog actually designed to eat?"

It's a small change in question.

But it completely changes the way you look at what's in the bowl.

👉 We've broken the differences down in our guide: Kibble vs Raw Dog Food: Which Is Better for Dogs in the UK?

Should You Switch Your Dog to Raw Because of the Years Recall?

Not simply because of this recall.

A breaking news story shouldn't be the sole reason you completely change your dog's diet.

But if this story has made you look at the back of your dog's food and think:

"Hang on… what am I actually feeding them?"

Then that's a worthwhile conversation to continue.

Learn about canine nutrition.

Look at the ingredients.

Understand what dogs are biologically adapted to eat.

Compare different feeding approaches.

And make an informed decision about what feels right for your dog.

If that leads you towards raw feeding, we've created a simple guide to help: 👉 How to Switch Your Dog to Raw Food

And if you're wondering how much your dog would actually need: 👉 How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog?

What Should Years Customers Do Now?

If you're currently feeding Years Fresh Meals, follow the company's latest recall instructions rather than relying on social media posts or speculation.

Years has advised customers to stop feeding the recalled fresh meals immediately.

If your dog is experiencing eye symptoms — including redness, squinting, discharge, sensitivity to light or unusually dry-looking eyes — speak to your vet.

And remember:

The investigation is ongoing.

As of 20 August 2026, buckwheat is being investigated as a potential contributing factor, including possible contamination in the supply chain, but a causal link has not been proven.

We'll update this article as more reliable information becomes available.

Maybe It's Time We Looked Closer at the Bowl

This isn't really a story about one dog food brand, it's a reminder of something much bigger.

For years, dog owners have largely been told what to feed.

Bag opens.
Food goes in bowl.
Dog eats.
Job done.

But more of us are starting to ask questions.

What are the ingredients?
Why are they there?
How processed is the food?
And is this really what makes sense for my dog's long-term health?

At ROAR, our answer is to keep things simple.

Real food.

Recognisable ingredients.

Meat. Bone. Organs.

Food built around what dogs are designed to eat — not how complicated we can make the ingredients list.

Because sometimes progress isn't about adding more.

Sometimes it's about taking things back to nature.

FAQs

Has Years dog food been recalled in the UK?

Yes. Years announced a voluntary precautionary recall of all its Fresh Meals, excluding the Chef's Collection. Customers have been advised to stop feeding the recalled meals while the company continues its investigation.

Why has Years dog food been recalled?

The recall followed reports of potential eye problems in some dogs. Years says buckwheat has been identified as a potential contributing factor and it is also investigating possible contamination within the buckwheat supply. A causal link has not currently been proven.

What should I do if my dog has been eating Years dog food?

Follow Years' current recall instructions and stop feeding affected Fresh Meals. If your dog develops symptoms such as red or dry-looking eyes, squinting, sensitivity to light, eye rubbing or unusual discharge, contact your vet for advice.

Can Years dog food cause blindness in dogs?

There is currently no conclusive evidence establishing that Years dog food causes blindness. Reports involve potential eye problems, including sudden bilateral dry eye, which can cause serious visual complications if not appropriately treated. Years' investigation and independent testing are ongoing.

Is raw dog food safer than processed dog food?

No feeding method is automatically risk-free. Raw food requires appropriate sourcing, storage, defrosting and hygiene because raw meat can carry harmful bacteria. The advantage ROAR sees in raw feeding is its focus on simple, recognisable ingredients and a biologically appropriate nutritional approach — not a claim that raw food can never experience safety or recall issues.

Sources & Important Information

This article reflects information available as of 20 August 2026. The Years investigation is ongoing, and information may change.

For the latest recall information, dog owners should refer directly to Years' official recall updates and seek veterinary advice if concerned about their dog's health.

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