Dog food warning--Merrick

[CanineCaravan]

Hi, all;

I don't know if any of you read my posts in the other forum, but all three of my dogs became gravely ill this past week--I really thought we were going to lose them. The illness was traced back to the dog food. They are fed the Merrick dry formula "Cowboy Cookout" flavor. Don't know if any of you feed it, but wanted to give a heads up.

The company reported that no changes have been made to the food recently, but had us on the phone for like an hour and offered to give us free replacement bags (uh, no thanks).

No matter what food you feed, if your dog becomes suddenly lethargic, (none of my dogs could walk) vomits, has diarreah (sp?) or is otherwise ill, take them off of their food to see if that could be it---this is not the first time this has happened to us, unfortunately, so I knew right away what it was. Some pet parents realize it too late. IF in doubt, stop feeding them dog food and keep them on a rice/cottage cheese formula for a few days. (And of course, consult a vet). The important thing is to stop feeding them their usual food/treats to rule it out and (hopefully) give them time to recover.

Nadja, Gracie and Dawson would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers during thier illness. I'm happy to report that all three of them are 100% back to normal

[retiredhappy]

Thanks for the heads up. I remember a few years ago the problems with melomine in dog food. Scary!!

[avalen]

good to hear your critters are 100%. I love cooking up a whole chicken for my girls.
When I do it in the pressure cooker, the bones just crumble between my fingers
so the girls get to enjoy the calcium and the marrow, etc. then of course I'd make
freezer meals out of it and use it for mixing into their kibble. Won't be able to
do any of that though until I get my freezer working, maybe fall.

[Cedar518]

Hi, all;

I don't know if any of you read my posts in the other forum, ..............

So glad that your "kids" are all doing ok now. ..... not sure what "other" forum you mean.

[Redetotry]

I have three dogs and occasionally they will all three refuse a food they normally eat. When this has happened I check to see the bag has a hole that is not apparent, in one case the bag had a clear plastic tape covering a tear and I hadn't noticed. The food near the bottom was rancid. This of course was not the companies fault but the place where I bought the bag. I also check the expiration date. The more natural foods don't last as long as the ones with all the preservatives so I don't buy any within 6-8 months of the expiration date. If I buy a larger bag I take out enough to feed for several days and put in a glass jar and seal the larger bag so I don't have to open and expose to air so often.
The other times this has happened the company asked me to send in a sample of the food and the information on the bag that states the batch number and exp. date. They do an analysis and call me with a report. If Merrick didn't ask you for a sample I would call back and ask why.

[CanineCaravan]

Hi, all;

I don't know if any of you read my posts in the other forum, ..............

So glad that your "kids" are all doing ok now. ..... not sure what "other" forum you mean.

Sorry..meant to say, other post (where Mitch wished me well in my surgery and I first shared my dogs' illness).

[CanineCaravan]

I have three dogs and occasionally they will all three refuse a food they normally eat. When this has happened I check to see the bag has a hole that is not apparent, in one case the bag had a clear plastic tape covering a tear and I hadn't noticed. The food near the bottom was rancid. This of course was not the companies fault but the place where I bought the bag. I also check the expiration date. The more natural foods don't last as long as the ones with all the preservatives so I don't buy any within 6-8 months of the expiration date. If I buy a larger bag I take out enough to feed for several days and put in a glass jar and seal the larger bag so I don't have to open and expose to air so often.
The other times this has happened the company asked me to send in a sample of the food and the information on the bag that states the batch number and exp. date. They do an analysis and call me with a report. If Merrick didn't ask you for a sample I would call back and ask why.

I've been through all that in the past, and would have investigated further this time, but I'm still recovering from surgery and as soon as I'm well, am hitting the road. Because I have a brain injury, I'd have to have my social worker gather all the information and present it to them; and I really need her helping me on the dr./moving stuff right now.

[CanineCaravan]

UPDATE:

Just found out today that Merrick was sold earlier this month on the down low. The bag that made my dogs so sick was most likely from new production, which would explain the sudden change in formulas.