Merrick Foods

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Hadn't heard about the animal testing, but agree about the company in general. It just isn't as nice as the picture they are painting (which most companies do). They have also had more recalls than I'd like to see. Personally just don't like these foods at all...

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Hadn't heard about the animal testing, but agree about the company in general. It just isn't as nice as the picture they are painting (which most companies do). They have also had more recalls than I'd like to see. Personally just don't like these foods at all...

Just about every dog food company out there uses some kind of "rendering" plant. Do you honestly believe that even the "better" companies out there use "fresh" products everytime they make a batch of food??? They all have thier secrets and I dont buy the "made fresh daily, human grade" lines anymore. Its just a marketing ploy.
They are very few dogs foods on the market that havent had somekind of a recall.
I did feed Merrick and my dogs liked it but they did end up having issues about 3 months into it so I had to look for something else.
I still consider it a pretty decent food and I would feed it before I fed my dogs taste of the wild or orijen.

[manolos mom]

The Dark Side of Recycling - Rendering Plants

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

Just about every dog food company out there uses some kind of "rendering" plant. Do you honestly believe that even the "better" companies out there use "fresh" products everytime they make a batch of food??? They all have thier secrets and I dont buy the "made fresh daily, human grade" lines anymore. Its just a marketing ploy.
They are very few dogs foods on the market that havent had somekind of a recall.
I did feed Merrick and my dogs liked it but they did end up having issues about 3 months into it so I had to look for something else.
I still consider it a pretty decent food and I would feed it before I fed my dogs taste of the wild or orijen.

Actually, no I don't believe that these so called "holistic" companies are any better than the common brands. In fact, if I had to feed a dog food, one of my top choices is SD Nature's Best. Just as Beneful can put all those nice pics on their bags of food, so can all these other companies.

However, I know enough about Merricks to know that I would not feed their foods and it isn't entirely about their rendering plant either. I simply do not trust that their quality control is adequate at this time and I do not really like the company. To each their own, but this brand is not for us.

[BellaDonna]

My dogs ate Merricks for about a year and they never missed a meal. Right now I feed Canidae but if I couldn't feed that I would probably go back to Merricks.

Originally Posted by manolos mom

Garth Merrick is the owner of Tejas Industry, which is a Rendering Plant on the same property where Merrick Dog Food is made. Merrick also uses dogs for experiments and not in a nice way. Dont go by the name of the food, Merrick uses names that sound good to us, Burger Pie and Sheppards Pie,Easter Brunch and Picnic at the Park. Very good marketing but do your research! Buyers beware....FYI

I would be interested in seeing the actual articles on the animal testing you talk about. In testing are you talking about testing to see if dogs like it or what? I wouldn't want to ruin a business without concrete facts.

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by BellaDonna

My dogs ate Merricks for about a year and they never missed a meal. Right now I feed Canidae but if I couldn't feed that I would probably go back to Merricks.



I would be interested in seeing the actual articles on the animal testing you talk about. In testing are you talking about testing to see if dogs like it or what? I wouldn't want to ruin a business without concrete facts.

Not trying to ruin anyone. Dont think I have THAT much power I wish I did. I work with a retired USDA supervisor for Texas and this is one of her sites she visited. Yes she reported the condition of the animals. You can feed your dogs whatever you like, Just stating fact here. Also you can find different sites that will help give you information. Canidae is now owned by Diamond. FYI.

[manolos mom]

Here is a good Thread. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...t-animals.html

[katienme2002]

Originally Posted by hugz4all4

Just about every dog food company out there uses some kind of "rendering" plant. Do you honestly believe that even the "better" companies out there use "fresh" products everytime they make a batch of food??? They all have thier secrets and I dont buy the "made fresh daily, human grade" lines anymore. Its just a marketing ploy.
They are very few dogs foods on the market that havent had somekind of a recall.
I did feed Merrick and my dogs liked it but they did end up having issues about 3 months into it so I had to look for something else.
I still consider it a pretty decent food and I would feed it before I fed my dogs taste of the wild or orijen.

Just curious as to what you feed your dogs? Thanks!

[viviansnickers]

Originally Posted by jjflash

Anyone feeding Acana may want to check out this website, it has some really great information. I have been feeding Origen to my both of my 100 lb dogs and love it. so when I got my YT pups (1 is 11 mths and 1 is 5 mths) I just naturally put them on Origen puppy. Then I found some info on high protein diets for these little ones being potentially harmful. So I started to research cause that's what I do at 2 in the morning. Turns out that Acana is not a lower protein Origen. It uses Beet pulp which can be very allergic and is preserved with citric acid, which, if you add any water to soften the food or make a "gravy", this can cause a bloat risk factor. More serious for the big dogs, but why take chances. Heres the web site , it's awesome.
dogfoodanalylsis.com

I just went to the Champion website to check all ingredients of Acana and NONE of the formulas contain beet pulp or citric acid. I am a huge believer in ACANA and LOVE it....beet pulp/citric acid is totally against their philosphies....

Smiles-
Snick & Viv

PS....Dogfoodalaysis needs to do some major updating.

[BellaDonna]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

Not trying to ruin anyone. Dont think I have THAT much power I wish I did. I work with a retired USDA supervisor for Texas and this is one of her sites she visited. Yes she reported the condition of the animals. You can feed your dogs whatever you like, Just stating fact here. Also you can find different sites that will help give you information. Canidae is now owned by Diamond. FYI.

Do you know where I can find the reports you mentioned, since I am in Texas I would love to know what she found and if this company should be supported or not, but I want more than hear say.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by BellaDonna

Do you know where I can find the reports you mentioned, since I am in Texas I would love to know what she found and if this company should be supported or not, but I want more than hear say.

I didn't know this about Merrick, either. I just googled Merrick Food Rendering and found a lot of disturbing items. I haven't come accross any "official" reports but what I've seen bothers me.

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by BellaDonna

Do you know where I can find the reports you mentioned, since I am in Texas I would love to know what she found and if this company should be supported or not, but I want more than hear say.

Donna, I would suggest going to the facility yourself and visit. Not sure where you live in Tx. I too live in Tx and have been to the plant. Also most information about Merrick can be found on the web when you do a search. You also might want to contact the company yourself and since you say my information is just "hear say". My friend was with the USDA for 35 years and the stories will make your hair stand up. Good Luck finding the right dog food. Lissette

[BellaDonna]

I am not looking for a change in dog food because I like my Canidae and I had no problems with Merrick, that is my point. What I would like to find in writing are reports filed stating the conditions you mentioned against Merrick. That way I feel like I can get behind telling people, if those are the facts.
There should be somewhere online those things are reported when found for anyone that does a search, but I have never found anything remotely like that. I will keep my eyes open though.
I live in the Hill Country by the way.

[BellaDonna]

I actually just did a search on rendering and came up with this info. From this it sounds to me like they may be making one food and charging 2 different prices for it by changing packaging which is not a good thing (even though I am sure many dog food companies do this)

But this is interesting reading

Consider This Before Feeding Merrick

[manolos mom]

I will find out with her if there is a website that I can pull her findings. Also go to post 22 and you can clearly see they are not on the list for not testing animals. Also check out the rendering plant on site. Good Luck to Donna