PetSmart to stop selling pet treats made in China

PetSmart Inc. (Nasdaq: PETM) has joined rival Petco in pulling Chinese-made pet treats from its shelves.

The move stems from U.S. Food and Drug Administration complaints dating back to 2007 of pet illness and death related to the treats. The Associated Press reports 4,800 complaints of pet illnesses and more than 1,000 reports of dog deaths after eating Chinese-made chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats.

PetSmart plans to remove the treats from its 1,300 stores by March 2015. When asked why the products couldn't be taken off the shelves sooner, spokeswoman Michelle Friedman said, "We don't want to leave pet parents high and dry."

Petco plans to have the treats off the shelf before the end of the year.

Read more from the Associated Press.