Petco WholeHearted Class Action, Did Your Dog Eat Grain-Free Food Linked to Heart Disease?

A New York dog owner filed a class action lawsuit against Petco on March 16, 2026, claiming the company’s WholeHearted grain-free dog food causes a deadly heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The lawsuit alleges Petco falsely markets the food as “Complete Nutrition” while knowing legume-heavy formulas carry serious cardiac risks. No settlement exists yet. The case is in its early stages in federal court.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Case Name	Maiman v. Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.
Court	U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Date Filed	March 16, 2026
Settlement Amount	None — active litigation
Claim Deadline	TBD
Who May Qualify	Purchasers of WholeHearted grain-free dog food from Jan. 1, 2022, to present
Payout Per Person	TBD
Proof Required	TBD
Settlement Status	Pre-settlement — lawsuit just filed
Administrator	None yet
Official Website	TBD

Where the Case Stands Right Now

• The lawsuit was filed March 16, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and the case is in its early stages with no trial date set.
• Petco has not yet responded to the allegations publicly, and no class has been formally certified by the court.
• No settlement has been proposed. If you purchased WholeHearted grain-free dog food, monitor this case — eligibility dates and claim procedures will depend on future court decisions.

Petco Said “Complete Nutrition.” The Lawsuit Says That’s Not True.

A New York woman named Mina Maiman filed a class action lawsuit against Petco Health and Wellness Company, alleging the company’s WholeHearted grain-free dog food is falsely marketed as a healthy and nutritionally complete pet food, despite being linked to a deadly heart disease in dogs.

According to the complaint, WholeHearted grain-free products carried labels including “Complete Nutrition,” “Vitamins & Minerals for Balanced Nutrition,” and “Thoughtfully crafted with maximum benefits.” The lawsuit contends those claims are false and misleading, and that they led consumers like Maiman to pay a premium price for a product the complaint says could seriously harm their pets.

The complaint focuses on what it calls “health-washing” — using health-forward marketing language to create a false impression of safety. Rather than using traditional grains, WholeHearted grain-free products allegedly rely on ingredients such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and pea flour, and the lawsuit alleges that multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked high-legume ingredient profiles to serious and sometimes fatal health problems in dogs.

What Is DCM, and Why Does the Lawsuit Say Grain-Free Diets Cause It?

After Maiman’s dog Oskar consumed WholeHearted grain-free products, the dog developed dilated cardiomyopathy — a serious disease in which the heart muscle enlarges and weakens over time. As the condition progresses, it can lead to congestive heart failure, which makes it increasingly difficult for the heart to pump blood through the body.

Dogs don’t typically show symptoms of DCM — lethargy, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath — until they’re very sick. That’s part of what makes the alleged risk so serious: a dog could be eating the food for months before any warning signs appear.

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The FDA has been investigating reports of canine heart disease in dogs eating certain pet foods containing a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients since July 2018. However, as of December 2022, the FDA maintains there is insufficient data to establish a direct causal link between grain-free diets and DCM. The lawsuit argues that Petco should have disclosed this ongoing uncertainty to consumers instead of marketing the product as nutritionally complete.

Did You Buy WholeHearted Grain-Free Dog Food? Here’s Who May Qualify.

The proposed class is broad, covering anyone nationwide who purchased the product during the relevant period. Based on the complaint as filed:

• You may qualify if you purchased any WholeHearted grain-free dog food product at a Petco retail location or online from January 1, 2022, through the present
• You may qualify if you paid a premium price based on the “Complete Nutrition” or similar marketing claims on the packaging
• You may qualify if your dog consumed the product, regardless of whether your dog developed any health condition
• You may qualify if you are a U.S. resident — the proposed class is nationwide given Petco’s retail footprint
• You will need to monitor court developments to confirm whether the class gets certified and whether eligibility criteria expand or narrow

No formal claim process exists yet. The complaint states that the class is expected to include a large number of consumers, given the nationwide scope of Petco’s retail operations.

What the Lawsuit Is Asking For — Money, Label Changes, and More

Because no settlement has been reached, there are no confirmed payout amounts. The complaint outlines what the plaintiff is seeking from the court:

The complaint asks for actual damages to compensate consumers for money lost by paying a price premium for the products. The lawsuit also seeks statutory damages under New York law and restitution, which would require Petco to return money consumers paid for the grain-free products. Additionally, the complaint requests treble damages, which would allow the court to award up to three times the amount of actual damages if certain legal conditions are met.

Beyond financial relief, the complaint asks the court to require Petco to update its labeling on WholeHearted grain-free products to include proper health warnings, and to stop making marketing claims the lawsuit says are not backed by science.

All amounts remain TBD until the court rules or a settlement is negotiated.

This Case Is Part of a Bigger Wave of Grain-Free Dog Food Lawsuits

The Petco lawsuit does not exist in a vacuum. A Missouri court certified a class action against Diamond Pet Foods and Taste of the Wild in 2024, covering Missouri residents who purchased grain-free dog food from August 2015 to June 2024, with that lawsuit also alleging false marketing around DCM risk.

A class action was also filed against Hill’s Pet Nutrition involving grain-free dog food and DCM. These cases collectively signal that courts are now actively evaluating whether grain-free dog food companies owe consumers more transparency about the potential cardiac risks their products may carry.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	March 16, 2026
Court	U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Class Certification Hearing	TBD
Claims Period Opens	TBD
Claim Filing Deadline	TBD
Opt-Out Deadline	TBD
Objection Deadline	TBD
Final Approval Hearing	TBD
Expected Payment Date	TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything right now if I bought WholeHearted grain-free dog food? 

Not yet. The lawsuit was just filed in March 2026 and no claim process is open. The best step right now is to keep any purchase receipts or records, and follow court developments. A claim process will only open if the court certifies a class and a settlement is reached or judgment is entered.

Do I need a lawyer to eventually file a claim?

 No. If a settlement is reached, class members typically file claims directly through an official settlement website without hiring an attorney. You only need a lawyer if you want to opt out and pursue your own individual lawsuit.

Is this lawsuit legitimate? 

Yes. Maiman v. Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on March 16, 2026, and is a matter of public court record. It has not been certified as a class action yet, and Petco has not yet responded.

My dog got sick after eating WholeHearted grain-free food — what should I do? 

Document everything: vet records, diagnosis, food purchase dates, and receipts. If your dog was diagnosed with DCM or a related heart condition, consult a veterinarian and consider speaking with an attorney about whether you have an individual claim beyond what a class action would cover.

When will I receive any payment? 

There is no payment timeline yet. This case was filed weeks ago. Class action lawsuits typically take one to several years to resolve. Any payment date depends on class certification, potential settlement negotiations, and court approval.

What if the case settles for very little — is it still worth participating? 

Class action settlements for false advertising cases often deliver modest per-person payments — sometimes only a few dollars. However, participating costs nothing and requires minimal effort once a claim process opens. The larger impact of these cases is usually forcing label changes and greater transparency.

Will a settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Payments compensating you for an economic loss (overpaying for a product) are generally not taxable as income. However, tax rules vary by situation, and you should consult a tax professional if you receive a payment.

What if this case gets dismissed?

 Courts can dismiss class actions at various stages. If the case is dismissed, affected consumers would have no further remedy through this lawsuit, though individual lawsuits or appeals may remain possible. Follow court docket updates to stay informed.

Sources and References

• Maiman v. Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. — U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (filed March 16, 2026)

Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.