Merricks Before Grain foods - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hugz4all4 · 11-24-2009, 11:17 AM

After much research on finding a new food for my dogs, I have decided to stick with Merricks. Im going to try thier grain free foods. The chicken is only 32 percent so it isnt super high in protien. Im super happy with the company and the quality of their ingredients and my dogs like almost all the foods we have tried. I put in a order for thier sample bags. For those of you who have used this product, are you still using it, how well did your dogs like it and did they tolerate it ok? Thanks so much for everyones help and advice in the past few days with my endless questioning..

Britster · 11-24-2009, 04:54 PM

Jackson ate Before Grain for a while and preferred the Buffalo flavored one. He did really well on it and liked it, but didn't LOVE it like he does the Nature's Variety Instinct. This was a few months ago. I've considered buying a little trial bag again for him to see if he's interested at all anymore and rotating between the NV (35% protein) and BG (32%). The thing I like about BG is you can buy 1.1lb bags for like $3 or something at the store.

hugz4all4 · 11-25-2009, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

Jackson ate Before Grain for a while and preferred the Buffalo flavored one. He did really well on it and liked it, but didn't LOVE it like he does the Nature's Variety Instinct. This was a few months ago. I've considered buying a little trial bag again for him to see if he's interested at all anymore and rotating between the NV (35% protein) and BG (32%). The thing I like about BG is you can buy 1.1lb bags for like $3 or something at the store.

Thanks so much for responding back. I knew that not to many people had used it, but I did expect more than 1 response.

Anyways, I dont have a local store that sells it so I have to order it online they sell the 1 pound bags on thier site, but you have to spend 25 dollars to get the free shipping. Ah well, anything for my babies..

Have a great holiday!!

viviansnickers · 11-25-2009, 08:38 AM

Merrick BG gave Snick the runs

I tried it way back when he was transitioning off Merrick's Puppy Plate to adult food. We ended up going with Evo at that time and used Evo for about a good 6-7 months with NV raw. Then Snick decided he was sick of Evo & NV and now we use Acana supplemented with Primal raw and he is loving to eat again.

I'm very happy with the foods I am currently feeding. Champion Foods (makers of Acana and Orijen) won pet food of the year this year. I am knocking on wood neither Acana or Primal come up with "sudden" accusations of questioning of ingredients or quality control. I'm nervous now with the recent NV issue of charcoal, and have heard "bad" things it seems about all kibbles that are out there. Even Acana apparently has changed their ingredients and some feel is for a negative effect.

Acana's grainfree formulas come in 3 types which is fantastic. I use the chicken based (Prairie Harvest) when I feed Snick poultry raw and the lamb based (Grasslands) when I feed red meat raw. Keeps things interesting for him I feel.

I've been all over this section lately due to concern, and have seen that you are trying a large array of foods. I really hope you find one soon that all your pups can stay on without fuss. It does take forever. After all the reading and investigating...it seems the only 2 kibble companies I would go with are Champion Foods and Natura Foods. Of course this is just MY opinion

Good Luck-
Snick & Viv

hugz4all4 · 11-25-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Merrick BG gave Snick the runs

I tried it way back when he was transitioning off Merrick's Puppy Plate to adult food. We ended up going with Evo at that time and used Evo for about a good 6-7 months with NV raw. Then Snick decided he was sick of Evo & NV and now we use Acana supplemented with Primal raw and he is loving to eat again.

I'm very happy with the foods I am currently feeding. Champion Foods (makers of Acana and Orijen) won pet food of the year this year. I am knocking on wood neither Acana or Primal come up with "sudden" accusations of questioning of ingredients or quality control. I'm nervous now with the recent NV issue of charcoal, and have heard "bad" things it seems about all kibbles that are out there. Even Acana apparently has changed their ingredients and some feel is for a negative effect.

Acana's grainfree formulas come in 3 types which is fantastic. I use the chicken based (Prairie Harvest) when I feed Snick poultry raw and the lamb based (Grasslands) when I feed red meat raw. Keeps things interesting for him I feel.

I've been all over this section lately due to concern, and have seen that you are trying a large array of foods. I really hope you find one soon that all your pups can stay on without fuss. It does take forever. After all the reading and investigating...it seems the only 2 kibble companies I would go with are Champion Foods and Natura Foods. Of course this is just MY opinion

Good Luck-
Snick & Viv

Thanks so much for responding. I have been doing a TON of research lately and just as it seems like when I find the "right" food for my dogs, I come on here and read about NV. I was very, very disappointed to read this.
I will not buy thier product untill I know more. I had been using Merricks products and was happy with what I was feeding my dogs untill they started having issues (I no you have read about..

) so Im hoping going with their grain free we wont have anymore issues. However, my dogs have had issues in the past with grain free.. they were on TOTW and EVO and didnt do very well on either. (gassy, lot of poo, rough, dry coat, itching) I need a grain free that is relativly low in protein. Right now I have them on Evangers pheasant/brown rice (but they have already lost interest, takes 3 days to empty a bowl

) and Merricks, new line of food.. whole earth farms canned untill my grain free arrives but Tucker has been itching more in the last 2 days so Im not giving them anymore of that.. I have looked into Acana, Fromms, Nautral balance and NV. I have samples coming from Fromms but they only offer 1 kind of grain free and my dogs arent "fish" eaters so thats not looking very promising and I have decided against natural balance because thier food is made at diamond. If they dont like the before grain then Acana is next on the list.. after that I have no clue..

hugz4all4 · 11-25-2009, 10:39 AM

I have also ordered some samples of the Acana prairie harvest... Gee, I hope I can get this figured out soon because its been pretty expensive..

Thanks everyone again for all your help..

Britster · 11-25-2009, 03:30 PM

What's this issue with NV? I've heard nothing but positive (unless you're talking about the raw...?)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-instinct.html
I started this thread a little while ago and heard nothing but great things

hugz4all4 · 11-26-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

What's this issue with NV? I've heard nothing but positive (unless you're talking about the raw...?)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-instinct.html
I started this thread a little while ago and heard nothing but great things

Yes, Im talking about the raw thread, although I do not plan on feeding my guys the raw, Im still concerned about what is going into all of thier products. I would like to see proof that what they are adding to thier meats is safe to feed my pets. Im not saying that they arent a good company and they are still on my list of foods to try but Im holding off for now. I know that NV comes highly recommend from other YT'ers that is why I was looking into them in the first place.

Perrella · 11-26-2009, 09:16 AM

I have tried numerous top brands for my girlie (so many, I can't recall all), but she refused to eat buffalo, lamb anything other than chicken. However, I found that she was itchy, so finally I tried Merrick beef (Cowboy Cookout) and I an tickled. Zhoie loves it and dances circle to the sunroom to eat. I take a flat tsp of canned, warm 6 sec in microwave, add few drop of water then mix with the kiddle. She's now a happy girl. I hope you find something that works, it's a long process. Good Luck!

Ichabob · 11-26-2009, 05:51 PM

we are also on merricks now we have tried the pot pie, turducken, trout and the wilderness. the wilderness being their least favorite, turducken their favorite.

hugz4all4 · 11-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ichabob

we are also on merricks now we have tried the pot pie, turducken, trout and the wilderness. the wilderness being their least favorite, turducken their favorite.

My dogs LOVED the turducken and I was so happy that I found a food that they readily ate for more than a month, however about the 2 month mark my 2 little guys started having issues with very runny eyes, licking thier feet, red staining around thier mouths, feet and butt area's, Im pretty positive it was the food causing this so I started switching them over to Evangers but they have already lost interest in it and I have decided to go grain free for a few different reasons. Merricks offers a grain free line, because I like the company Im going to stick with them. Im just hoping that they do ok with the grain free and like it.
I really do appreciate you responding.

Bizzymammabee · 11-26-2009, 06:18 PM

I have been using it since it came out. Works well. At first you will find that your little one is a bit more thirsty but within a day or so that stops.

Ichabob · 11-27-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

My dogs LOVED the turducken and I was so happy that I found a food that they readily ate for more than a month, however about the 2 month mark my 2 little guys started having issues with very runny eyes, licking thier feet, red staining around thier mouths, feet and butt area's, Im pretty positive it was the food causing this so I started switching them over to Evangers but they have already lost interest in it and I have decided to go grain free for a few different reasons. Merricks offers a grain free line, because I like the company Im going to stick with them. Im just hoping that they do ok with the grain free and like it.
I really do appreciate you responding.

I haven't had any issues with merrick line, mine have been on it a little over 3 mos, we also have a jack russell that has skin issues she been doing fine on it so far, but I will keep a close eye on all three.

YorkieSchmalz · 11-29-2009, 09:21 AM

My Sophie has been on Merrick and loves it. She used to eat the puppy plate but i got her the turducken last time to change it up for her. She loves it and I have never had a problem with their products. I have never tried the grain free but thought about it. I will keep my eyes on this thread to see what you think of it.

Lexi Rae · 11-30-2009, 10:13 AM

i give lexi merricks also, but i do switch off with the chicken soup for pet lovers soul.. no problems what so ever.

11-24-2009, 11:17 AM	#1
hugz4all4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: upstate NY Posts: 2,114 Blog Entries: 1	Merricks Before Grain foods After much research on finding a new food for my dogs, I have decided to stick with Merricks. Im going to try thier grain free foods. The chicken is only 32 percent so it isnt super high in protien. Im super happy with the company and the quality of their ingredients and my dogs like almost all the foods we have tried. I put in a order for thier sample bags. For those of you who have used this product, are you still using it, how well did your dogs like it and did they tolerate it ok? Thanks so much for everyones help and advice in the past few days with my endless questioning.. __________________ Love all 9 of my furrbutts!

11-24-2009, 04:54 PM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Jackson ate Before Grain for a while and preferred the Buffalo flavored one. He did really well on it and liked it, but didn't LOVE it like he does the Nature's Variety Instinct. This was a few months ago. I've considered buying a little trial bag again for him to see if he's interested at all anymore and rotating between the NV (35% protein) and BG (32%). The thing I like about BG is you can buy 1.1lb bags for like $3 or something at the store. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier Last edited by Britster; 11-24-2009 at 04:57 PM.

11-25-2009, 08:38 AM	#4
viviansnickers Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,755	Merrick BG gave Snick the runs I tried it way back when he was transitioning off Merrick's Puppy Plate to adult food. We ended up going with Evo at that time and used Evo for about a good 6-7 months with NV raw. Then Snick decided he was sick of Evo & NV and now we use Acana supplemented with Primal raw and he is loving to eat again. I'm very happy with the foods I am currently feeding. Champion Foods (makers of Acana and Orijen) won pet food of the year this year. I am knocking on wood neither Acana or Primal come up with "sudden" accusations of questioning of ingredients or quality control. I'm nervous now with the recent NV issue of charcoal, and have heard "bad" things it seems about all kibbles that are out there. Even Acana apparently has changed their ingredients and some feel is for a negative effect. Acana's grainfree formulas come in 3 types which is fantastic. I use the chicken based (Prairie Harvest) when I feed Snick poultry raw and the lamb based (Grasslands) when I feed red meat raw. Keeps things interesting for him I feel. I've been all over this section lately due to concern, and have seen that you are trying a large array of foods. I really hope you find one soon that all your pups can stay on without fuss. It does take forever. After all the reading and investigating...it seems the only 2 kibble companies I would go with are Champion Foods and Natura Foods. Of course this is just MY opinion Good Luck- Snick & Viv __________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie

11-25-2009, 10:39 AM	#6
hugz4all4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: upstate NY Posts: 2,114 Blog Entries: 1	I have also ordered some samples of the Acana prairie harvest... Gee, I hope I can get this figured out soon because its been pretty expensive.. Thanks everyone again for all your help.. __________________ Love all 9 of my furrbutts!

11-25-2009, 03:30 PM	#7
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	What's this issue with NV? I've heard nothing but positive (unless you're talking about the raw...?) http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-instinct.html I started this thread a little while ago and heard nothing but great things __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

11-26-2009, 09:16 AM	#9
Perrella Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA Posts: 8,040	I have tried numerous top brands for my girlie (so many, I can't recall all), but she refused to eat buffalo, lamb anything other than chicken. However, I found that she was itchy, so finally I tried Merrick beef (Cowboy Cookout) and I an tickled. Zhoie loves it and dances circle to the sunroom to eat. I take a flat tsp of canned, warm 6 sec in microwave, add few drop of water then mix with the kiddle. She's now a happy girl. I hope you find something that works, it's a long process. Good Luck! __________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle

11-26-2009, 05:51 PM	#10
Ichabob YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lucedale ms Posts: 707	we are also on merricks now we have tried the pot pie, turducken, trout and the wilderness. the wilderness being their least favorite, turducken their favorite. __________________ Proud to be a Marine Mom (R.I.P.) Ichabob

11-26-2009, 06:18 PM	#12
Bizzymammabee Luvs Lulu Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 6,931 Blog Entries: 1	I have been using it since it came out. Works well. At first you will find that your little one is a bit more thirsty but within a day or so that stops. __________________ Lulu will always be in my heart

11-29-2009, 09:21 AM	#14
YorkieSchmalz Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 192	My Sophie has been on Merrick and loves it. She used to eat the puppy plate but i got her the turducken last time to change it up for her. She loves it and I have never had a problem with their products. I have never tried the grain free but thought about it. I will keep my eyes on this thread to see what you think of it.

11-30-2009, 10:13 AM	#15
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	i give lexi merricks also, but i do switch off with the chicken soup for pet lovers soul.. no problems what so ever. __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...