Dog Community

Posted : 5/29/2007 8:57:54 PM

I copied those ingredients off Merrick's website a couple of minutes before I posted. It didn't say anything about organic chicken.

I don't know why you'd assume anyone would form opinions out of loyalty for someone else. Perhaps people form their opinions based on Merrick's recall history, anecdotal quality control evidence, Merrick's own company communication, and their mid-grade ingredient lists.

And I think a lot of us are passionate about other companies, both for and against. I sure haven't "forgave" Timberwolf, because they haven't changed anything. I choose not to try Merrick because they've had 3 recalls in 4 years. If they were going to change, they should have done it after the first, or even the second. Three strikes and you're out, IMO.

Viper

Posted : 5/29/2007 9:24:49 PM

FIRST POST!!!

Greetings everyone, this is Willows Dad! (WillowChow's husband!)

Not to fuel this fire but I DID see the plastic and metal that was in the Merric food.

In fact, it was ME who figured out that the metal was a Shipping Staple!

Trust me, there's a problem when such items end up in the packaged product, they should be NO WHERE NEAR it when it's out of a can.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 5/29/2007 9:31:31 PM

ORIGINAL: sooner

I copied those ingredients off Merrick's website a couple of minutes before I posted. It didn't say anything about organic chicken.

I don't know why you'd assume anyone would form opinions out of loyalty for someone else. Perhaps people form their opinions based on Merrick's recall history, anecdotal quality control evidence, Merrick's own company communication, and their mid-grade ingredient lists.

And I think a lot of us are passionate about other companies, both for and against. I sure haven't "forgave" Timberwolf, because they haven't changed anything. I choose not to try Merrick because they've had 3 recalls in 4 years. If they were going to change, they should have done it after the first, or even the second. Three strikes and you're out, IMO.

Okay, so they haven't updated their website. I sell the food. I see the food. The chicken is now organic. I sell the food. I think I'd know.

Edie

Posted : 5/29/2007 11:14:37 PM

removed for personal contents

willowchow

Posted : 5/29/2007 11:34:51 PM

referred to deleted content

willowchow

Posted : 5/30/2007 12:00:05 AM

I'm just asking. Can we give opinions on this forum without involving loyalties?

Jojo--I think you should go back and read the posts here. Almost all the members who posted they had an issue with Merrick were very clear in what their personal experience was and that's why they don't use it anymore.

Oh, well, I'm still going to feed it and I'm still going to recommend it and I'll still recommend many other foods whether or not someone with clout on this forum has had a problem with it.

And, you should also actually read my posts. I never told anyone not to use it, just to be careful. In fact, I said it more than once here.

Luvntzus

Posted : 5/30/2007 3:36:13 AM

ORIGINAL: jojo the pogo

Seriously, why aren't we this emotional about any other food? Diamond, Natural Balance, even TWO has had problems - remember - they were customer service related too, but we forgave Timberwolf Organics.

I didn't forgive TWO and I know several other people here didn't either. I don't feel at all comfortable feeding their food because of various issues that I've mentioned on other threads. With all due respect, I think the quality control issues with Merrick were major ones. I don't know of another food that people have found so many foreign objects in them. It's definitely something that people should be aware of IMO.

glenmar

Posted : 5/30/2007 4:28:55 AM

I've used to use Chicken Soup in a pinch, and suggested it to others. Since the Diamond recall I do not. I've also not been shy about my opinions on TWO. Not all foods will work well for every dog but there are plenty of foods that don't have a history of QC issues to choose from. I'm personally not willing to take a chance with my crew.

These snide comments and personal attacks need to stop and stop now. I don't care what names you call me, I can and will shut this thread down if the nonsense continues. We are supposed to be adults and it's time we act like it.

pup3cat2

Posted : 5/30/2007 8:55:12 AM

Yesterday I gave Charlie the can of Merrick's Wingaling with the bones. I mashed it a bit and inspected it before I gave to it him. The bones were very soft and crumbled easily. After the rest was in the fridge overnight the bones were a little harder but still crumbled pretty easily but I will say Charlie LOVED it.

jode88

Posted : 5/30/2007 10:12:48 AM

I think most folks pay attention when they feed their dogs. I don't get out a microscope or anything but I mix it in fairly well and would like to think I would notice an object. I've fed many a cans of Merrick w/out finding anything and so far no Melamine....that's a plus!

Kim White

Posted : 5/30/2007 11:03:05 AM

Not one, Not one, of the retail stores we sell Merrick to have had a customer return a can or a bag of dry for wierd peices of stuff or poison or anything. I have 12 cans of it in my pantry. I'm confindent in feeding it.

Just following along here....

I will say this... Most people and I mean 75 percent of dog owners if not 90 percent are NOT and I mean NOT as cautious and aware of food or their Pets needs in health care. Iv seen this over and over again. My own vets will tell you this they tell me all the time..Im down there so much I see it and I just roll my eyes and tell the girls that I could never work there cause I have no tolerance for such stupidity.... So if something was in any food I doubt most people would go thru it to check unless it popped out right in front of them....

jenns

Posted : 5/30/2007 1:36:36 PM

Smart business people are concerned about what rumors are flying around regarding their products and they do their BEST to address those issues, and they realize that anyone affliated with rescue has a LOT of influence in what dogs are fed. And they know that having a relationship with folks is key to growing their business.

I've never fed Merrick, but at one of the feed stores I frequent, it is the probably the most popular super premium brand. I also hear that from people who shop at other stores, so apparently the rumors have not impacted business one bit. Seems that tons of people are feeding it without any problems.

I do believe that companies with past issues can get their act together and improve. If you're going to blacklist a company because of past QC issues and recalls, then you're going to have to have a lot of brands on your list - the biggest recall in history just happened and lots of brands, that have never had known QC issues were involved and pets died. You really just never know.

sillysally

Posted : 5/30/2007 2:06:40 PM

ORIGINAL: terrierlover

Not one, Not one, of the retail stores we sell Merrick to have had a customer return a can or a bag of dry for wierd peices of stuff or poison or anything. I have 12 cans of it in my pantry. I'm confindent in feeding it.

Just following along here....

I will say this... Most people and I mean 75 percent of dog owners if not 90 percent are NOT and I mean NOT as cautious and aware of food or their Pets needs in health care. Iv seen this over and over again. My own vets will tell you this they tell me all the time..Im down there so much I see it and I just roll my eyes and tell the girls that I could never work there cause I have no tolerance for such stupidity.... So if something was in any food I doubt most people would go thru it to check unless it popped out right in front of them....

Just curious were you got this percentage..... In my experience, the people are going to spend that much on dog food pay closer attention then your "average" dog owner.

I think that there are just always going to be foods that are on the Nutrition Board "Sh** List." I feed one of those foods, TWO, and Sally is not only still in one piece but is doing really, really well on it. Well, enough in fact, that I would even feed it if the kibbles were one millimeter smaller and if it suddenly came in a charturse bag. I'm such a rebel.[sm=evilfire.gif]

Kim White

Posted : 5/30/2007 3:59:37 PM

Just curious were you got this percentage..... In my experience, the people are going to spend that much on dog food pay closer attention then your "average" dog owner.

Just out of my head more of a figure of speach written in somewhat of a percentage...LOL And you would be shocked at those people who do spend that kind of money on food that don't pay any attention.
Being in Rescue and doing dog placements and homevisits..
Iv seen alot in 5 years and it blows my mind.
I think it has alot to do with people like us on this board that really care about our dogs more than the average person we are the ones that check the food... and our dogs

oop and all the other doggie stuff that goes with dogs!

iggypop

Posted : 5/30/2007 4:29:00 PM

Does no one care that Merrick manufactured food for another company that killed dogs? This was in 2003, not too long ago.

I know a company will usually clean up their act after something like that happens, but since that time they have had multiple QC issues and it is clear that they really don't try too hard. I personally don't care what people feed their dogs, but if we are going to discuss a food based on it's QC then Merrick has to be the worst when it comes to the premium foods.

But on a nutritional level, the food is way to grain-heavy for the price of it. If your dog does well on it and you can afford it, then more power to you, but I think a lot of people feed Merrick based on the cute packaging and catchy product names and not on how their dog does on the food.

merrick food any good?