Dog Community

New Merrick formulas: "Before Grain"

Posted : 3/4/2008 6:01:09 AM

(as much as I hate Merrick...)

Just FYI:

New formulas called "Before Grain"
http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/new_products.php

The ingredients aren't posted on the site, but were emailed as follows:

DOG DRY INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN:
Crude Protein (Not Less Than) 32.0%
Crude Fat (Not Less Than) 15.0%
Crude Fiber (Not More Than) 3.0%
Moisture (Not More Than) 11.0%

3595 kcal/kg (calculated) – One pound provides 385 kcal of metabolizable energy (calculated). One cup (100 grams) provides 107 calories (Caloric content calculated using Modified Atwater Method).

Chicken Deboned, Chicken Meal, Potato Dehydrated, Turkey Meal, Canola Oil, Sweet Potato Dehydrated, (preserved with mixed tocopherols – a source of Natural Vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid, a source of Vitamin C), Yeast Culture, Natural Dried Chicken Liver, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lysine, Guar Gum, Sea Salt, Alfalfa, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Acai Berry Freeze-Dried, Blueberry Dried, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Venison Broth, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Natural Venison Flavor, Chicory Root, Marigold Extract, Rosemary Extract, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Natural Celery Flavor, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Natural Color (tumeric), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3, Niacin, Lecithin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.

SALMON:
Crude Protein (Not Less Than) 32.0%
Crude Fat (Not Less Than) 15.0%
Crude Fiber (Not More Than) 3.0%
Moisture (Not More Than) 11.0%

3586 kcal/kg (calculated) – One pound provides 383 kcal of metabolizable energy (calculated). One cup (100 grams) provides 107 calories (Caloric content calculated using Modified Atwater Method).

Salmon Deboned, Chicken Meal, Potato Dehydrated, Turkey Meal, Canola Oil, Sweet Potato Dehydrated, Dried Egg, (preserved with mixed tocopherols – a source of Natural Vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid, a source of Vitamin C), Yeast Culture, Natural Dried Chicken Liver, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lysine, Guar Gum, Sea Salt, Alfalfa, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Acai Berry Freeze Dried, Blueberry Dried, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Venison Broth, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Natural Venison Flavor, Chicory Root, Marigold Extract, Rosemary Extract, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Natural Celery Flavor, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Natural Color (tumeric), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3, Niacin, Lecithin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.

BUFFALO:
Crude Protein (Not Less Than) 32.0%
Crude Fat (Not Less Than) 15.0%
Crude Fiber (Not More Than) 3.0%
Moisture (Not More Than) 11.0%

3581 kcal/kg (calculated) – One pound provides 383 kcal of metabolizable energy (calculated). One cup (100 grams) provides 107 calories (Caloric content calculated using Modified Atwater Method).

Buffalo Deboned, Chicken Meal, Potato Dehydrated, Turkey Meal, Canola Oil, Sweet Potato Dehydrated, (preserved with mixed tocopherols – a source of Natural Vitamin E and Ascorbic Acid, a source of Vitamin C), Yeast Culture, Natural Dried Chicken Liver, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lysine, Guar Gum, Sea Salt, Alfalfa, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Acai Berry Freeze-Dried, Blueberry Dried, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Venison Broth, Zinc Amino Acid Complex,Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Natural Venison Flavor, Chicory Root, Marigold Extract, Rosemary Extract, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Natural Celery Flavor, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Natural Color (tumeric), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3, Niacin, Lecithin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.

DOG CANS

CHICKEN:
INGREDIENTS
Chicken, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 9.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 8.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 1.2%
Moisture (Max.) 76.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1466 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 556 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

SALMON:
INGREDIENTS
Salmon, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 10.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 9.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 1.2%
Moisture (Max.) 78.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1490 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 565 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

BUFFALO:
INGREDIENTS
Buffalo, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 6.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 6.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 1.2%
Moisture (Max.) 76.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1276 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 484 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

TURKEY:
INGREDIENTS
Turkey, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 10.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 9.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 1.2%
Moisture (Max.) 76.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1502 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 569 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

TRIPE:
INGREDIENTS
Tripe, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 8.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 9.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 2.0%
Moisture (Max.) 80.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1147 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 432 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

BEEF:
INGREDIENTS
Beef, Water For Processing

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (Min.) 9.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 7.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 1.2%
Moisture (Max.) 76.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
1317 kcal/kg - A 13.2 oz. can provides 499 kcal of metabolizable energy, calculated value.

glenmar

Posted : 3/4/2008 6:13:50 AM

Interesting.

In the kibble, the main ingredient seems always to be chicken. Interesting that they call the food "whatever" and start with the whole meat source, but then boost it up with chicken meal. But, I'm not much of a fan of Merrick either, so maybe I'm being really unfair.

pumaward

Posted : 3/4/2008 6:48:38 AM

They're continuing a disappointing trend, in my opinion. I've seen it a lot with any new foods with more novel ingredients...and they've got to throw turkey or chicken into them which makes them useless to anybody who wants to rotate protein sources, has an unknown food allergy or has a chicken allergy.

Overall, they don't look bad to me. But, because they lack novelty, I'll use chicken/turkey based food that I feel much more comfortable with (I.E. Innova or Canidae).

brookcove

Posted : 3/4/2008 6:53:50 AM

glenmar
Interesting.

In the kibble, the main ingredient seems always to be chicken. Interesting that they call the food "whatever" and start with the whole meat source, but then boost it up with chicken meal. But, I'm not much of a fan of Merrick either, so maybe I'm being really unfair.

Annoying. I don't think you are being unfair. What's the point of different "flavors" if they still are mainly chicken?

On the other hand, points for canned tripe that is only tripe.

glenmar

Posted : 3/4/2008 7:03:12 AM

Buffalo is supposed to be a very healthy meat. However, I can't afford it. Even the ground meats around here are over $5 per pound. So I was surprised to see a Buffalo formula....and then rather disappointed to read the ingredients.

If I'm going to feed primarily chicken, I agree, I might as well START with a food that doesn't claim to be anything BUT chicken.

This company just has too many ungoing issues for me to set aside my discomfort with them for what I consider to be a second rate recipe.

brookcove

Posted : 3/4/2008 7:14:28 AM

Have you looked around for a bison farm in your area? I believe there are some in Wisconsin. Or how about Michigan? Check it out! http://www.sprikfarms.com/page4.html (also link to the Michigan Bison Association and the National Association) Oh, and if you get injured traveling to teh farm for your meat, Sprik Law Personal Injury Attorney's will help you out! (Ad at bottom of page) - how hilarious!

glenmar

Posted : 3/4/2008 7:26:32 AM

There actually is a buffalo farm not far from us. They don't sell to the public....only through their own grocery stores. The few times I've eaten buffalo I haven't been all that impressed with the flavor.

I just found it comical that they CLAIM to have a buffalo dog food that is mostly chicken.......

Jewlieee

Posted : 3/4/2008 7:28:38 AM

A lot of dog foods are like this - Taste of the Wild is one of them. If you read the ingredients, they call it whatever is the first ingredient then the rest is all the same.

These foods don't look half bad though imo.

stanton

Posted : 3/4/2008 8:04:38 AM

Yes, it's VERY frustrating when you have dogs intolerant to chicken or turkey to find a food that will work, specially when I have one allergic to Sage too.

Taste of the Wild - Salmon I found to be a fairly decent food in terms of responses I've seen out of the dogs.

Wellness Core fish is a great product too, but so far is not working out too well here.

I put the pup back on Innova large breed puppy food over 2 weeks ago, even with a suspected chicken allergy. So far though, he's doing good, no major itching, no nothing but increased energy, which is good because there for a while he was turning into a lazy puppy. I really didn't know what else to put him on, cause he just didn't have energy with the Taste of the Wild, Wellness core says not to feed to puppies, Cal Natural Lamb makes him itch badly, and act like he's starving, and everything else I could find either had too much calcium or it contained chicken anyways.

jessies_mom

Posted : 3/4/2008 9:02:11 AM

stanton
Cal Natural Lamb makes him itch badly, and act like he's starving, and everything else I could find either had too much calcium or it contained chicken anyways

If you check out their website, it doesn't list any omega 3's for the Lamb, which are very beneficial for itchy dogs. Besides chicken, Jessie's also allergic to salmon and potatoes, which really limits the selection of high-end foods I can use. One food that's not popular on here that she does really well on is the Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice. I feed her the large breed puppy formula because it's higher protein (27%) and lower fat, like the senior dog foods she would be getting if they didn't have chicken.

deb2799

Posted : 3/4/2008 2:59:31 PM

Why does it all have to have chicken in it? Spike has a chicken and turkey allergy. UGH

jessies_mom

Posted : 3/4/2008 6:53:34 PM

deb2799
Why does it all have to have chicken in it? Spike has a chicken and turkey allergy. UGH

Probably because it's the cheapest meat protein source available. What a cute dog; I looove his pics.!

NikoAwesomo

Posted : 3/4/2008 10:40:29 PM

These dry foods remind me of something like 365 ways to cook a chicken....lol.

Also, as I understand it, 1 lb of fresh meat (for examples, chicken, salmon) = 0.3 lb of meat meal (for examples, chicken meal, salmon meal, and etc.), these new Merrick's dry foods should be labeled:

(1) Chicken with chicken flavor

(2) Chicken with salmon flavor

(3) Chicken with buffalo flavor

P.S. continuing with this logic, Science Diet's Nature's Best should then be labeled, "Soybean with chicken flavor"..... lol. Okay, I hope I don't offend anyone here....