Merrick is a thumbs down here...

[MsBehave]

Ok, so we feed a bit of raw (turkey/chicken necks, some beef, etc) and a high quality kibble. I have a "list" of foods that I switch between...usually every bag I switch. I try to do different protein sources as well. I've tried Merrick in the past and it was fine...but am just finishing a bag and....yikes!

My dogs almost NEVER get gas...but more than once I've looked around the house for a pile o' poo...nope, dog fart. Thanks, Merrick.

They don't find it as appealing as most foods (we are talking Corgis here, who love EVERYTHING, for the most part....Tricksie ate a piece of raw asparagus that fell on the floor the other night...) though they will eat it.

Poops have been bigger and looser (yikes)...wiping butts every time they come back from outside is not nearly as fun as it sounds *gak*

Poop eating has increased (double yikes)...that is, if I let them, which I try very hard to prevent.

It is going off my good list. While the ingredients look good, the food now has odd colors of kibble mixed in, instead of pieces of veggies like before.

I am going to start the puppies on "real" food this week and am NOT going to let them eat Merrick. My adults will finish what I have left and that will be that. I got Wolf Cub (solid gold) for the adults and puppies as well as canned 95% beef, and turkey, by Wellness.

My dogs have done very well on Pinnacle, Nutri Source, Eagle Pack Holistic, Natures Variety Prairie and some others I can't remember right off hand.

Anyway, just my experience w/ Merrick...won't be doing that again.

MsB

 

[CaliTerp07]

It really is all trial and error, isn't it? Every time someone posts a thread about dog food x being awesome or awful, someone will chime in with the opposite experience. You can easily weed out the foods that are made from poor ingredients, but you don't know what will work for your dog until you try it...

 

[PoodleMommy]

It really is all trial and error, isn't it? Every time someone posts a thread about dog food x being awesome or awful, someone will chime in with the opposite experience. You can easily weed out the foods that are made from poor ingredients, but you don't know what will work for your dog until you try it...

I agree... everyone raves about Innova but I have had nothing but bad experiences with it for MY dogs, same with Canidae (although i do hear a lot of bad about this brand lately).

Everything really is trial and error though... lots of people have problems with raw and lots do great on it... same with all the high quality brands, and then there are even people who try all those and their dogs just cant handle them.

 

[MsBehave]

It really is all trial and error, isn't it? Every time someone posts a thread about dog food x being awesome or awful, someone will chime in with the opposite experience. You can easily weed out the foods that are made from poor ingredients, but you don't know what will work for your dog until you try it...

Absolutely.

My dogs cannot do the high high protein high high fat grain free stuff...it makes them sick (I was tempted to say sick as dogs...lol). Really about 28% protein is tops for mine, probably could do 30% but I don't as a rule...maybe for treats or meal toppers....which is how I use the HiPro/HiFat foods I get as samples/freebies...and for that, they rock.

I've also not had good luck w/ Wellness dry food, but I think I am going to try it again.

I had GREAT luck with Canidae Chicken and Rice formula, but got mad about the changes they made and all the reactions dogs have had...so havent fed it since. I may try it again, too.

However, Raw turkey/chicken necks as a meal...no issues whatsoever. Raw hamburger, no problem...they are fed a variety of stuff and for the most part, have no issues, which is nice.

Then there are the isles at the stores I refer to as the "poison isles"...and of course my disclaimer...its just my opinion, I think they are poison to feed MY DOGS....Science Diet, Nutro for example are big "no no's" at my house.

 

[Lizmo]

Then there are the isles at the stores I refer to as the "poison isles"...and of course my disclaimer...its just my opinion, I think they are poison to feed MY DOGS....Science Diet, Nutro for example are big "no no's" at my house.

Most here believe this, too.

Like Cali said, it's all trial and error, unfortunately!

 

[ihartgonzo]

I hate Merrick, too! Lawl...

But seriously, Merrick is the one food that manages to give my 2 iron-tummied raw-fed dogs explosive diarrhea. From just a little bit of the canned food. I always forget, and I'll occasionally get a few cans of Merrick, because they have cute names. I won't forget after the last time! Omg. Ew. I've heard of many bad experienced with Merrick. Their ingredients are nothing special, either.

I also despise Chicken Soup, something about it just doesn't agree with them. :/