Merrick Buys Castor & Pollux

[ladyjane]

So glad I followed my instincts a while back and stopped feeding that food:

Merrick Pet Food Purchases Castor & Pollux

[gardengirl77]

I thought I heard that Merrick is good stuff... No?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by gardengirl77

I thought I heard that Merrick is good stuff... No?

They have had recalls due to salmonella. The company creeps me out. You can google to find the information.

[ladyjane]

Here are a few...and there are more.


Merrick Pet Care Recalls Doggie Wishbone (Item #29050, Lot 11031 Best by 30 Jan 2013) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold'ems 10 oz Bag (Item # 60016 Lot 10127 Best by May 6 2012) because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares 10oz Bag (Item #60016 Lot # 10084TL7 Best By March 24, 2012) Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

MERRICK PET CARE RECALLS JR TEXAS TAFFY PET TREAT (ITEM # 27077, ALL LOTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 10364) BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK

[gardengirl77]

Oh my gosh, I had no idea! Somehow I got in my head they are suppose to be really good. Thanks so much for posting that!! I'm not going to purchase their products anymore.

[Britster]

Oh No!!! I can't stand Merrick, and that's a shame because I had a soft spot for Castor & Pollux. Always liked their company. Oh well, another one bites the dust.

[jeane]

i have been feeding my dogs merrick for a couple of years now// all of them are very healthy/ all there recent bloodwork was pristine

[Rescuemomma]

Wow, I also thought Merreck was a really good brand!

What about Evangers? That's what my cats eat and I love their canned foods!

[ladyjane]

I don't give recommendations. I only posted this so that people would be aware. I had salmonella once, thought I was going to die; and I would never give anything to my pups that could possibly cause it.

[Britster]

I don't personally like Evanger's, either. Their canned foods contained ingredients that weren't even on the ingredient list (i.e. a "beef" formula had NO beef, but chicken or something like that). They had an FDA warning or recall, maybe, I can't remember.

I'm not entirely concerned with salmonella in dog food SO much, since dogs really can tolerate a lot more, and can't get it as easily as humans. But the quality control is definitely worrisome.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Britster

I don't personally like Evanger's, either. Their canned foods contained ingredients that weren't even on the ingredient list (i.e. a "beef" formula had NO beef, but chicken or something like that). They had an FDA warning or recall, maybe, I can't remember.

I'm not entirely concerned with salmonella in dog food SO much, since dogs really can tolerate a lot more, and can't get it as easily as humans. But the quality control is definitely worrisome.

But....they can get salmonella! I would never risk any chance of it. I agree...there is something really amiss in their quality control.

[Rescuemomma]

I had never heard that . Darn - I agree, and have always been careful about things regardless - quality control is extremely important to me when I'm deciding which food companies to trust!

[BLowry]

OH CRAP! I have been feeding Merricks Grammies pot pie years now!!!!! do you have any info on any kibbles that may have been recalled!!! figures! I finally find something they all like and something like this happens!!

[ladyjane]

When I asked a vet nutritionist about C&P and choosing dog foods, this is what I received as an answer.
I now feed Hill's Ideal Balance because I like the ingredients and because I feel the company is doing the safer choice for my pups. Ingredients are important to me, but the company and their practices is the most important.

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From Castor and Pollux web site: Natural Ultramix Puppy Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and gestation/lactation.
This food has been formulated according to AAFCO profiles but not feeding trial tested. A statement of feeding trial tested is preferred when you select a product.
I would recommend looking for the following statement on the label of whatever you feed for best assurance of performance of the product. Here is an example:
"Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand X Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs." (or "all life stages" which would be in the case of puppies or breeding animals etc.)
Here is some additional info on the difference. Regards, Dr. Bauer

Nutritional Adequacy Statement or "AAFCO Statement"
Every pet food label must contain a statement and validation of nutritional adequacy. AAFCO regulations allow two basic methods for pet food manufacturers to substantiate claims.
Formulation Method — Requires the manufacturer to formulate the food to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for dogs and cats.
This method is less time consuming and less expensive because feeding trials with pets are not required, only a calculation of the nutrient levels.
An example of an AAFCO statement using the formulation method would be: "Brand ABC Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Cat Food Profiles for maintenance of adult cats."
Feeding Trial Method — Requires the manufacturer perform an AAFCO-protocol feeding trial using the food as the sole source of nutrition.
Gold Standard or preferred method.
Documents the pets' performance when fed the food.
An example of an AAFCO statement using the feeding trial method would be: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand X Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs."

[Ichabob]

Originally Posted by BLowry

OH CRAP! I have been feeding Merricks Grammies pot pie years now!!!!! do you have any info on any kibbles that may have been recalled!!! figures! I finally find something they all like and something like this happens!!

There food was never recall just there treats, I was also feeding Merrick but became worried about all the treat recalls and change to SD Nature's Best which they have now quit making their Ideal Balance is almost the same food but larger kibbles and my little ones do not like the size, now I am on a new food hunt and I hate it.