Alfalfa Meal in Merrick

I was reading the reviews of Merrick Limited Duck  on Chewy when I came across a review which stated why Alfalfa Meal should be avoided.   This is the article which was referenced in the review

httphttp://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/07/26/alfalfa.aspx://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/07/26/alfalfa.aspx

Wondering what others think of this?

It's funny: I'd wondered about the alfalfa meal in those foods, too, and found the same article. Here's the link again in case anyone wants to click through. (@Lokhismom, you did my favorite trick of double copying the link! I do that all the time!)

What I think about this is that I'm not going to worry about the alfalfa meal since it comes in the ingredient list after calcium carbonate. To me that says the alfalfa meal isn't likely being used as a protein source, which seems to be where Dr. Becker finds it most troubling. I only feed Merrick LID about once every two weeks, though the cats absolutely love it. It's one of the only large cans they'll actually finish without any Pure Bite prodding!

Thanks for clarifying the link, LisaHE!

I've often used this web site to get some opinions on possible foods for Milly, and although "Organic Alfalfa Meal" is one of the items in the ingredients lists for the Merrick foods which that site author puts into Bold Text, it is not described the notes as to why it is "bolded" on that site. Just that "meals" (usually meat-based) are added for protein sourcing.

So, this alfalfa link you give is interesting to read. Thanks!

I actually saw the comment about the alfalfa meal while looking at the reviews for the duck. I feed Merrick LID daily to my cats, rotating between the chicken, turkey, and just added the duck. I don't feel all that concerned about the alfalfa meal because its pretty far down on the ingredient list so I don't think its being used as a primary protein source. 

My 14 year old cat, who is very picky and doesn't like duck, will eat the Merrick LID canned cat food and even eats the Duck flavor. To me, it's fine and the alfalfa meal shouldn't cause an issue.