Merrick Warning

[Ellie May]

Some of this is fact and some rumor, so read on if you're interested...


Merrick seems to be having a very big quality control issue.

The Go Natural brand of food was voluntarily recalled in 2003 because animals were getting liver failure from it. This foods was manufactured by Merrick:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/HHEGoNatural.pdf

Two sites say Merrick treats were recalled in 2003 because of salmonella:
http://www.recalls.org/vet2003.html
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/...0020918e.shtml

One version of their canned food was recalled in 2006 because their was metal in it:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MD...l_164985_7.pdf

Garth Merrick doesn't want tougher restrictions:
https://web01.aphis.usda.gov/regpubl...M2?OpenElement
It is hard to say if he really wrote this or not but he does own a rendering facility, Tejas, as far as I know.

Two out of four dogs from one family are in renal failure and they were all eating Merrick.

Someone said Turducken canned cat food has been soupy and smells rancid.

Another person says the Turducken (for cats, I believe) now has started looking "weird".

Then there are some rumors that Merricks is involved with Nature's Logic and another company. This other company makes Solid Gold canned food. Most of this can be found on Itchmo.

There is obviously a lack of quality control and I would be very uncomfortable feeding this food.

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh NO, not another one! What the heck is going on here? I always felt good about Merrick.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh NO, not another one! What the heck is going on here? I always felt good about Merrick.

Well, I don't want it to sound like they are recalling more, because they aren't. But with 3 quality issues in about 3 years and with a few other complaints, I just don't know. I just want everyone to be aware and I won't recommend it anymore.

[stedmansmommy]

Geez! I am so glad I saw this thread as I was thinking of possibly trying my babies on Merrick as I am now able to get it here locally.

Darn...and just when I thought that maybe this would be "the food" for them. Guess I was wrong Won't be trying it now

Thanks so much for the heads up!

[diggy4]

mine are both on merrick Now what to do????? They only eat the kibble form of Pot Pie.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by diggy4

mine are both on merrick Now what to do????? They only eat the kibble form of Pot Pie.

I guess it comes down to what you are comfortable with. The renal failure report is unconfirmed. I think the first three on my first post listed are confirmed. If you are confident that they are a good company, then don't switch. I, however, think 3 recalls in 3 years at their plant is crazy and this food will come nowhere near Ellie.

[diggy4]

okay sounds like you did some research.....what have you found are good brands? We have tried Innova Evo Bella didnt like, Canidea, Diggy didnt like....Merrick they both seem to LOVE but now i feel uncomfortable

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by diggy4

okay sounds like you did some research.....what have you found are good brands? We have tried Innova Evo Bella didnt like, Canidea, Diggy didnt like....Merrick they both seem to LOVE but now i feel uncomfortable

I can't really say because I believe the four brands that MAY BE less likely to get recalled are Iams, Science Diet, Purina and Royal Canin because these are very large companies with the money to be proactive in quality control. That does not mean I recommend them though. If you are going to go with a smaller company, I would use Evangers canned because I like the ingredients. There is no guarantee that it won't be recalled though. If you want to use kibble, I like Wellness, Canidae (somewhat), California Natural (somewhat) and Orijen if you want to go grainless which I won't do... The same goes for recalls. These aren't very large companies although they are starting to be.

I don't really have a first choice except to homecook.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by diggy4

okay sounds like you did some research.....what have you found are good brands? We have tried Innova Evo Bella didnt like, Canidea, Diggy didnt like....Merrick they both seem to LOVE but now i feel uncomfortable

What about Wellness or TOTW (Taste of the Wild)? I am trying my babies on TOTW right now and Tatum LOVES it...Stedman doesn't seem too crazy about it though, but your babies might Stedman is just extremely, extremely picky about his food. I was going to try them on Merrick but not after reading all this stuff I think next I will try Wellness and see if Stedman likes that, he is just such a picky eater!

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

What about Wellness or TOTW (Taste of the Wild)? I am trying my babies on TOTW right now and Tatum LOVES it...Stedman doesn't seem too crazy about it though, but your babies might Stedman is just extremely, extremely picky about his food. I was going to try them on Merrick but not after reading all this stuff I think next I will try Wellness and see if Stedman likes that, he is just such a picky eater!

Have you researched TOTW??? what have ya found??? I dont wanna hijack thread so if you wanna PM me your finding or start another thread that would be GREAT! I also have to look to see what stores carry that around here or if i would have to intyernet order (which is fine) thanks! Paula

[MyFairLacy]

I think Nature's Variety is probably THE best Commercial Pet food. www.naturesvariety.com They have kibble, (grain and grain-free), canned (grain and grain-free), raw, and freeze-dried raw.

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I think Nature's Variety is probably THE best Commercial Pet food. www.naturesvariety.com They have kibble, (grain and grain-free), canned (grain and grain-free), raw, and freeze-dried raw.

wow i did not know they had kibble.....thanks! I know the Pet Supplies Plus carries the Raw so maybe they have the kibble

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by diggy4

Have you researched TOTW??? what have ya found??? I dont wanna hijack thread so if you wanna PM me your finding or start another thread that would be GREAT! I also have to look to see what stores carry that around here or if i would have to intyernet order (which is fine) thanks! Paula

LOL...don't worry about it. I said what I wanted to say. Talk away.

As for canned foods, Nature's Variety and I think Wellness are made at Menu. I know the Menu Foods thing is over and it could've happened to anyone but then I look at the fact that one of the executives sold 1/2 of his shares three weeks before the recall. The recall came THREE WEEKS LATE and animals were dying, so I have no respect for the company and would prefer not to use anything they manufacture if they take that long to recall it. This is for the canned varieties only.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

LOL...don't worry about it. I said what I wanted to say. Talk away.

As for canned foods, Nature's Variety and I think Wellness are made at Menu. I know the Menu Foods thing is over and it could've happened to anyone but then I look at the fact that one of the executives sold 1/2 of his shares three weeks before the recall. The recall came THREE WEEKS LATE and animals were dying, so I have no respect for the company and would prefer not to use anything they manufacture if they take that long to recall it. This is for the canned varieties only.

Neither Wellness or Nature's Variety were involved in the recall.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Neither Wellness or Nature's Variety were involved in the recall.

No, they weren't but they were still made there and the place did not recall their products fast enough. That isn't saying I wouldn't feed these two foods at all because I like Wellness but I would rather not feed the canned varieties made at Menu. My opinion only...