Any Thoughts on Merrick? - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

nikkiluvsu15 · 02-07-2010, 04:28 PM

I know, I know... I've been hoarding this section of the board for quite a few days, but I'm still trying to figure out some things.

I'm more than likely going to go with California Natural, but I saw Merrick had dry food.... I may sound stupid, but I totally didn't know that

I knew they had wet food, but didn't know they had the same dry food in the same flavors.

I'm really interested in it... Main reason is the new vet said that he would like it if I got Harleigh on a rotation diet (plus adding wet food on top and feeding raw every few meals... That's beside the point!) and they have a lot to choose from.

I'm not sure about the price, but it seems pretty good... about the same price as California Natural in some places, others more expensive than that.

Now, I'm not sure if my store that I get food from carries the Merrick kibble, but they DO carry the wet food. I know Leah feeds Maxwell the Merrick wet food, I think I remember reading that anyways, but I'm not sure how good the kibble form is.

If anything I can use some Merrick wet food as her topping!

I know she'll eat just about ANYTHING, she's not picky at all (then again, there aren't many picky Labs, huh?

) and she smells the EVO Venison wet food and California Natural Lamb and Rice wet food through the can and tries to open them!

Anyways... Think its a good food? Specifically if I'm rotating or can I rotate with just about any brand? I'm new to this rotating thing

(Also... Now I'm not so sure if her itchiness is from her food or not. I just remembered yesterday that I had not given her, her flea medicine (it was like 3-4 days late) and she has flea allergy dermatitis. I gave her the Comfortis pill and she's not scratching AS much.

)

3lablady · 02-07-2010, 05:10 PM

I don't use Merrick kibble but do get the canned and put some on top of my guy's California or Healthwise kibble and they love it. They know when I bring cans home and just are so excited. It's a good food.

Mom2FiveBIGDogs · 02-07-2010, 05:12 PM

I like Merrick - the company. Their BG line is the only one I'd feed though.

ZiggyMarley · 02-07-2010, 05:26 PM

I had Ziggy on a Merrick/Nutro Ultra Holistic rotation and have since dropped the Nutro completely. She now gets Merrick only and LOVES it. She gets only the dry kibble because with a little warm water you get a can a pretty good gravy going. I pay about $45 a bag which lasts about three weeks and I buy it from Pet Supermarket so after 9 bags, I get my 10th one free.

LadyBuckeye · 02-07-2010, 05:40 PM

Merrick had some issues with people find some pretty weird stuff in the kibble.

nikkiluvsu15 · 02-07-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyBuckeye

Merrick had some issues with people find some pretty weird stuff in the kibble.

What kind of stuff??

I think maybe I'll just stick to the California Natural... I think its a sign seems how every other food had something going on with it

Maybe I'll use some Merrick wet food though... She'll probably enjoy that!

Woofie · 02-07-2010, 07:15 PM

For several months about 2yrs ago, I was feeding Merrick canned food, the winglings in particular for quite a while with excellent results; little dogs loved the wings to knaw on.

I stopped buying Merrick when I started hearing about horrible QC issues and the things other people were finding in the canned/dry foods.

Just 2-3 wks ago, I thought to try their canned foods again, as toppers. Bought several different flavors, 2 of my 3 dogs have since developed super loose runny stools, one of them actually has such a sore butt he was crying as I was trying to wash him. So I stopped giving them, a day later both dogs were fine.

My dogs, aside from oats, barley, yeast, sage, can eat just about anything; so I don't know, but I"m going to take back what I have and put it towards the cost of another bag of our normal dry food.

shellbell · 02-07-2010, 07:16 PM

I would go with California Natural over Merrick, but you could occassionaly give her some canned Merrick for variety....I used to give Tux canned Merrick on occassion and he loved it. I think the Holiday Venison Stew was his favorite....Campfire Trout was good too.

uplander · 02-07-2010, 08:53 PM

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsro.../ucm197700.htm

Woofie · 02-07-2010, 09:33 PM

This only covers the dog treats; not the canned/dry food, least I don't think so. So that's good for me, I was only giving the canned food....however, stopped that 3 days ago, both dogs have recovered just fine.

Great find.

Wonder just how many of these issues one could find/uncover with any company. Let me know if you find anything on the canned food, I'd be curious to know....thought it odd how both dogs developed extremely loose stools rather quickly.

The stools did have some blood in them, so that does make me wonder how far the salmonella bacteria has spread within their products.

After putting all 3 dogs immediately back onto their Honest Kitchen/ground turkey, after 2 days or so, they're all back to normal....so that's good.

Treats they get are EVO treats only....so we're good there.

rcexplorer · 02-07-2010, 10:45 PM

Here is a news article that was posted by another member ( thank you) article is from Jan 2010

"Last month, the FDA conducted routine testing of the treats and found evidence for salmonella. Another inspection found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34876612...th-pet_health/

also in 2006 merrick had wingaling recalled

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MD...l_164985_7.pdf

kathy

02-07-2010, 04:28 PM	#1
nikkiluvsu15 Go Gators!!!! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Posts: 2,860 My Mood:	Any Thoughts on Merrick? I know, I know... I've been hoarding this section of the board for quite a few days, but I'm still trying to figure out some things. I'm more than likely going to go with California Natural, but I saw Merrick had dry food.... I may sound stupid, but I totally didn't know that I knew they had wet food, but didn't know they had the same dry food in the same flavors. I'm really interested in it... Main reason is the new vet said that he would like it if I got Harleigh on a rotation diet (plus adding wet food on top and feeding raw every few meals... That's beside the point!) and they have a lot to choose from. I'm not sure about the price, but it seems pretty good... about the same price as California Natural in some places, others more expensive than that. Now, I'm not sure if my store that I get food from carries the Merrick kibble, but they DO carry the wet food. I know Leah feeds Maxwell the Merrick wet food, I think I remember reading that anyways, but I'm not sure how good the kibble form is. If anything I can use some Merrick wet food as her topping! I know she'll eat just about ANYTHING, she's not picky at all (then again, there aren't many picky Labs, huh?) and she smells the EVO Venison wet food and California Natural Lamb and Rice wet food through the can and tries to open them! Anyways... Think its a good food? Specifically if I'm rotating or can I rotate with just about any brand? I'm new to this rotating thing (Also... Now I'm not so sure if her itchiness is from her food or not. I just remembered yesterday that I had not given her, her flea medicine (it was like 3-4 days late) and she has flea allergy dermatitis. I gave her the Comfortis pill and she's not scratching AS much. ) __________________ GO GATORS! ~~~~~~~~~ Nikki & Her Zoo: Rebel(APBT) - 2/07 Harleigh(Lab/?) - 2/09 Tigger(feline!) - 5/97 Phoebe(feline!) - 4/09 Patches(feline!) - RIP ~~~~~~~~~~ But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

02-07-2010, 05:10 PM	#2
3lablady Contentment Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olympia, Wa Posts: 40,572 My Mood:	I don't use Merrick kibble but do get the canned and put some on top of my guy's California or Healthwise kibble and they love it. They know when I bring cans home and just are so excited. It's a good food. __________________ Gunner 4-26-05 CGC Daisy 5-1-06 Spitfire Dylan 3-30-06 Awesome Mom ~ Barb Old! Ginger 4-17-94 ~ 5-14-06 Forever in our hearts Sadie 7-15-02 ~ 8-09-06 Miss you Maggie 4-15-98 ~ 4-10-08 Our "heart" dog Autumn 2-8-07 ~ 5-02-09 Our sweet girl! Gone too soon!

02-07-2010, 05:12 PM	#3
Mom2FiveBIGDogs Adult Retriever Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harford Co., MD Posts: 599 My Mood:	I like Merrick - the company. Their BG line is the only one I'd feed though. __________________ Jen & The Boys Bo - Yellow Lab, Born Dec. 2002, Rescued Jan. 2003 Brewster - Harlequin Great Dane, Born Mar. 2003, Rescued Dec. 2003 Amos - Redtick Coonhound, Born 2001, Rescued Apr. 2007 Buster - Itty Bitty Pit Bull, Born Jun. 2007, Rescued Sept. 2007 Sgt. Pepper - Merle Great Dane, Born 2001, Rescued May 2009

02-07-2010, 05:26 PM	#4
ZiggyMarley Retriever Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Miami Posts: 300 My Mood:	I had Ziggy on a Merrick/Nutro Ultra Holistic rotation and have since dropped the Nutro completely. She now gets Merrick only and LOVES it. She gets only the dry kibble because with a little warm water you get a can a pretty good gravy going. I pay about $45 a bag which lasts about three weeks and I buy it from Pet Supermarket so after 9 bags, I get my 10th one free. __________________ I'm on Facebook www.facebook.com/ziggyozzy Add me!

02-07-2010, 05:40 PM	#5
LadyBuckeye Senior Dog Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 3,453 My Mood:	Merrick had some issues with people find some pretty weird stuff in the kibble. __________________ Becky, Mom to Ava (7-06 gotcha 5-10-08) Molly (12-11-06), and Belle (STLRR foster doggie) Support STLRR at www.txlabrescue.org

02-07-2010, 07:15 PM	#7
Woofie Senior Dog Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Franktown Posts: 1,053 My Mood:	For several months about 2yrs ago, I was feeding Merrick canned food, the winglings in particular for quite a while with excellent results; little dogs loved the wings to knaw on. I stopped buying Merrick when I started hearing about horrible QC issues and the things other people were finding in the canned/dry foods. Just 2-3 wks ago, I thought to try their canned foods again, as toppers. Bought several different flavors, 2 of my 3 dogs have since developed super loose runny stools, one of them actually has such a sore butt he was crying as I was trying to wash him. So I stopped giving them, a day later both dogs were fine. My dogs, aside from oats, barley, yeast, sage, can eat just about anything; so I don't know, but I"m going to take back what I have and put it towards the cost of another bag of our normal dry food. __________________ Woofie/Rivers: Kuai: Dakota:

02-07-2010, 07:16 PM	#8
shellbell Michelle and Tux Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: near St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,628 My Mood:	I would go with California Natural over Merrick, but you could occassionaly give her some canned Merrick for variety....I used to give Tux canned Merrick on occassion and he loved it. I think the Holiday Venison Stew was his favorite....Campfire Trout was good too. __________________ Tux: DOB 8/16/08 Adopted on 11/22/08

02-07-2010, 08:53 PM	#9
uplander Senior Dog Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North East USA Posts: 5,062 My Mood:	http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsro.../ucm197700.htm __________________ ....Just an ordinary Joe "Satch" ... not perfect ...just loved.....

02-07-2010, 09:33 PM	#10
Woofie Senior Dog Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Franktown Posts: 1,053 My Mood:	This only covers the dog treats; not the canned/dry food, least I don't think so. So that's good for me, I was only giving the canned food....however, stopped that 3 days ago, both dogs have recovered just fine. Great find. Wonder just how many of these issues one could find/uncover with any company. Let me know if you find anything on the canned food, I'd be curious to know....thought it odd how both dogs developed extremely loose stools rather quickly. The stools did have some blood in them, so that does make me wonder how far the salmonella bacteria has spread within their products. After putting all 3 dogs immediately back onto their Honest Kitchen/ground turkey, after 2 days or so, they're all back to normal....so that's good. Treats they get are EVO treats only....so we're good there.

02-07-2010, 10:45 PM	#11
rcexplorer Retriever Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 366	Here is a news article that was posted by another member ( thank you) article is from Jan 2010 "Last month, the FDA conducted routine testing of the treats and found evidence for salmonella. Another inspection found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34876612...th-pet_health/ also in 2006 merrick had wingaling recalled http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MD...l_164985_7.pdf kathy __________________ March 2010

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