merrick vs. acana

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I just want to put a warning out there about Purina. They are the makers of the chicken jerky waggin train that killed many many dogs and made many many sick and they never cared enough to pull there treats to find out what the problem was for years. This shows me that they only cared about the money they where making. Then there are all the reports of sick dogs from there beniful food and although I can not prove it two of the dogs I grew up with had eaten that dog food pretty much all there lives and both ended up with cancer seems kind of a weird similarity there. If they have a food and a treat that is making dogs sick I bet more of there food and treats are making other dogs sick and we just don't know it and the way they handle it shows no concern for pets. Purina is far to risky for me.

I can understand the Purina fear (imo, if you are nervous about it, by all means don't feed it). A cause has not been found even after years of FDA testing. It has not even definitively been proven that dogs eating jerky according to package instructions have gotten ill.

A similar warning could be put out about Champion. There is evidence that their cat food in AU was causing death well before it was pulled. They did not know their food would be subject to irradiation (which is completely ridiculous for a conpany exporting food) or did not bother to look into it. ??? Unless it has been misreported, it seems as though they hired legal reps to defend them against slander. i can think of better uses for that money like paying somebody to learn about export laws. I don't believe that their QC is top notch and would not feed their foods.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I couldn't do more for this dog, and I am offended at the implication that I am somehow "poisoning" her with her soy pellets. At the end of her life, if Purina is the nail in the coffin, then I will simply kiss her goodbye and let her have her sweet dreams.

???? Where was it implied that you're poisoning your dog with soy pellets? If you took that from my post, my sincerest apologies. If anything, I was agreeing... saying that the odds of dying from ANY pet food is probably very slim. I just don't see how the chicken jerky problem can be written off completely. They have research and food trials, etc, which is GREAT. Many dogs live very long healthy lives on Purina.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I can understand the Purina fear (imo, if you are nervous about it, by all means don't feed it). A cause has not been found even after years of FDA testing. It has not even definitively been proven that dogs eating jerky according to package instructions have gotten ill.

A similar warning could be put out about Champion. There is evidence that their cat food in AU was causing death well before it was pulled. They did not know their food would be subject to irradiation (which is completely ridiculous for a conpany exporting food) or did not bother to look into it. ??? Unless it has been misreported, it seems as though they hired legal reps to defend them against slander. i can think of better uses for that money like paying somebody to learn about export laws. I don't believe that their QC is top notch and would not feed their foods.

Absolutely. It's all scary stuff. Champion is a marketing company, first and foremost, IMO. My dog did well on it though for almost 2 years.

Oh I should add... Purina RX foods are in another category IMO. Obviously extra precautions would be taken would those foods, I would assume.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Britster

???? Where was it implied that you're poisoning your dog with soy pellets? If you took that from my post, my sincerest apologies. If anything, I was agreeing... saying that the odds of dying from ANY pet food is probably very slim. I just don't see how the chicken jerky problem can be written off completely. They have research and food trials, etc, which is GREAT. Many dogs live very long healthy lives on Purina.

The chicken jerky issue was not limited to chicken and it wasn't necessarily a Purina issue. There were consumer complaints about dehydrated duck and also sweet potato. I read some of this at the time regarding dogs presenting with the fanconi-like syndrome. In Australia or New Zealand I can't remember which the problem was affecting CET veggie dent chews also. I also recall there being no conclusion as to what the problem was. Anyway I know a 4 year old dog fed a popular holistic food that is battling cancer. I also know of dogs who lived beautiful lives on SD until 17. Food is just one factor. I feed HC for philosophical reasons that I have stated over and over. If I must occasionally use commercial food, I like RC. I would pick RC over Purina but there is only one RC diet that would meet Daisy's needs and I have not been able to accept the idea of feeding hydrolyzed feathers.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Anyway I know a 4 year old dog fed a popular holistic food that is battling cancer. I also know of dogs who lived beautiful lives on SD until 17. Food is just one factor.

Oh absolutely. I've always said that. There is way too many factors involved to base longevity on food and food alone. Just like people, you get those who eat nothing but organic, exercise, don't drink, don't smoke and still die of lung cancer at 45. Then you have people who drink, smoke, do drugs, and don't take care of themselves live 'til their 100. Meh. Too many factors to say.

Just do whatever you're comfortable with!

[Maxman]

Wow!I remember when I first got Max,I joined this site, and, most people could not say enough good things about Acana,and Orijen.I have been gone for a while,I have been feeding Max Acana all this time,I have to drive a little out of my way for it, which is not a big deal,I have no problem doing it,but,I bought Max Easter brunch wet food,( made by Merrick) as a special treat for Easter, and I thought,hmmm, Maybe I'll try Merrick dry food.I was under the impression Acana was the absolute best, so I wasnt sure I should switch. Now,nk one seems to have a clear cut favorite.I can't cook for him,so I have to rely on store bought food,I don't care what it costs, he's my buddy,I want the best for him, just not sure what the best is anymore, so confused!

[Lovetodream88]

I am not trying to say any one is poisoning there dogs and I am sure there is more rules and stuff that goes into prescription foods then there regular foods. It is a fact thought that many many dogs died from Purinas Waggin Train chicken jerky. Purina's brand was top of the list probably because of popularity but it seems all the chicken that came from china has the ability to make dogs sick. I personally did not like how Purina handled the situation and that speaks volumes of how they feel about animals in my opinion. Had they pulled the jerky as soon as they knew there where problems with it I would feel differently about them and like they really care for the animals. I also am not fond of the fact that all these stored continued to sell and stock it when they could have refused to sell it when they knew what it was doing to dogs. What any one wants to feed there dogs is there choose all any of us have our are opinions and I just wanted to put mine out there so people could see some facts about Purina my opinion about them. I think that we need better regulations in dog food and treats so the chicken jerky doesn't happen again and so all these dog food recalls are not happening. I will never say the dog food I feed is perfect because I know there is no perfect food just what works best for everyone and there pets.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Maxman

Wow!I remember when I first got Max,I joined this site, and, most people could not say enough good things about Acana,and Orijen.I have been gone for a while,I have been feeding Max Acana all this time,I have to drive a little out of my way for it, which is not a big deal,I have no problem doing it,but,I bought Max Easter brunch wet food,( made by Merrick) as a special treat for Easter, and I thought,hmmm, Maybe I'll try Merrick dry food.I was under the impression Acana was the absolute best, so I wasnt sure I should switch. Now,nk one seems to have a clear cut favorite.I can't cook for him,so I have to rely on store bought food,I don't care what it costs, he's my buddy,I want the best for him, just not sure what the best is anymore, so confused!

If he does well on the Acana I would just stick with it.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Maxman

Wow!I remember when I first got Max,I joined this site, and, most people could not say enough good things about Acana,and Orijen.I have been gone for a while,I have been feeding Max Acana all this time,I have to drive a little out of my way for it, which is not a big deal,I have no problem doing it,but,I bought Max Easter brunch wet food,( made by Merrick) as a special treat for Easter, and I thought,hmmm, Maybe I'll try Merrick dry food.I was under the impression Acana was the absolute best, so I wasnt sure I should switch. Now,nk one seems to have a clear cut favorite.I can't cook for him,so I have to rely on store bought food,I don't care what it costs, he's my buddy,I want the best for him, just not sure what the best is anymore, so confused!

Favorites on dog forums are usually those foods that have an appealing ingredient list. It is a matter of opinion.

There are so many things to consider besides ingredients.

What does the company do to make sure the food is safe? Do they have a large enough budget to pay for the testing that should be done? Who is creating the recipes? A veterinary nutritionist or a dog lover with a bachelors in biology or a general DVM who knows little about nutrition? Are feeding trials done (excluding palatability trials) or is your pup a guinea pig for the company? How much research is the company doing? Are they contributing anything to science or are they more concerned about making their tood sound appealing for marketing purposes? Etc.

I will dig up some links about these two companies that will maybe help you decide. I don't lie either company for my doggies.

[Ellie May]

Merrick

Al companies have recalls, but this many?
I think I am missing a couple.

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

List of recalls for Pet Food Products from Merrick TEXAS HOLD "EMS

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

List of recalls for Pet Food Products from Merrick Beef Filet Squares

http://letstalkpetfoods.org/2006/04/...ing®-dog-food/

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Maxman

Wow!I remember when I first got Max,I joined this site, and, most people could not say enough good things about Acana,and Orijen.I have been gone for a while,I have been feeding Max Acana all this time,I have to drive a little out of my way for it, which is not a big deal,I have no problem doing it,but,I bought Max Easter brunch wet food,( made by Merrick) as a special treat for Easter, and I thought,hmmm, Maybe I'll try Merrick dry food.I was under the impression Acana was the absolute best, so I wasnt sure I should switch. Now,nk one seems to have a clear cut favorite.I can't cook for him,so I have to rely on store bought food,I don't care what it costs, he's my buddy,I want the best for him, just not sure what the best is anymore, so confused!

I had many questions about food because of all of the posts on various forums and also I was worried about recalls. I was just not comfortable taking pet owners' opinions on dog food because I quickly saw that everyone had such varied ideas about what was good. What I decided, in the end, was to speak with my vet about it and she suggested that I speak with a vet nutritionist. Here is what he advised me to do when looking for a food for my pups. He did not recommend ANY food...just sent me this which told me a LOT when I started looking at all of the companies.


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.

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."

[107barney]

Also, the FDA wrote a warning letter to Merrick that can be read here: Tejas Industries Inc. 6/1/10

In addition, the FDA has a number of "Import Refusal" documents showing some salmonella problems with Acana Grasslands. The violation cited in the report was --
Violation 402(a)(1), 801(a)(3); ADULTERATION The article appears to contain Salmonella, a poisonous and deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health.

The whole list can be seen here:
Search Results: Acana site:www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/importrefusals/ir_detail.cfm

[lovespandp]

I had Peanut on Acana for 2 plus years.. then they switched the formula. The last bag I bought was one of their new formulas. Peanut started itching, eyes water, hot spots, so I took him off. I have never ever had a problem with Acana till then.

We tried a couple foods that weren't working out and now Peanut is on Canine Caviar and is doing great!

I think if you are not happy with what Max is eating do some research and find something that Max and yourself approves of!

[chestermama]

Thers is no perfect food thats for sure, but when companies have alot of recalls or drag there feet in doing a recall, I have a problem with that, merrick being one of them. Chester has been on solid gold for most of his years, and currently on the grain free sundancer and does very well .on it. I have called solid gold about questions and they have been very good about answering my questions and they have not had hardly recalls. I like companies that will do a voluntary recall even if they think they food is possibly okay. The food thing can drive anyone crazy thats for sure. The place I get my food fron does alot of research and is very picky about what she sells, it is not a money thing for her, but what is good for peoples pets.

[Ellie May]

“So we do the tails and ears the noses and the chins and the hooves and different bones,” says Garth Merrick, president of the company. “It’s all processed in such a way that is totally sanitary and safe for anything that would eat it. We’re in the middle of cattle country, of course, so it’s our hope to continue to utilize everything but the moo.”

Merrick is a rendering facility at heart. They don't seem al that interested in canine nutrition science.

They are also the company that was manufacturing Petcurean's kibble when it was causing liver failure.