Merrick canned food warning

ktlynn · Apr 10, 2006

Yesterday I found a bone in the Turducken flavor canned food. It was narrow in width, but very sharp on either end and almost 3/4" long.

Turducken is a very chunky food, and I didn't see the bone at first. However, I always chop through the food and that's how I found it. What if I hadn't done that?

I called customer service, and interestingly, one of the options on the menu is "If you have questions about the bones in the Wingling (sic) food press 1..."
I'm assuming that's a dog food flavor, but apparently Merrick's processing/quality control isn't what it should be.

While polite and acknowledging that no bones should be in the cat food, the rep I spoke with never apologized for the bone being there, but only offered a coupon for a free can of food.

My advice is to always chop through any canned food, but especially chunky ones like Merrick where it's easy to miss things that shouldn't be there.

squirtle · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you for the warning. Dori eats Merrick and I actually gave her half a can of Turducken this morning. I also have Wingaling for Brody (the dog). That's the only flavor he eats.... I haven't ever thought to check through it for bones. But will certainly make that part of the morning routine now

Thank you again for letting us know

yosemite · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you for the heads-up! Makes me have second thoughts about feeding Merricks though.

commonoddity042 · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you for the heads up. It is very much appreciated.

sharky · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you ... for dog owners wing aling does contain bones at least the cans I got did..

misty8723 · Apr 10, 2006

Rats. I'm sure I'm going to be throwing those cans of Merricks away I just bought. And the guys really like it too.

commonoddity042 · Apr 10, 2006

Originally Posted by Misty8723

Rats. I'm sure I'm going to be throwing those cans of Merricks away I just bought. And the guys really like it too.

You do not have to throw them out. Just stir through with a fork to make sure there are no big bone fragments.

misty8723 · Apr 10, 2006

Originally Posted by CommonOddity042

You do not have to throw them out. Just stir through with a fork to make sure there are no big bone fragments.

I know. I always do that anyway. But the thought of bones being in there kinda freaks me out.

zissou'smom · Apr 10, 2006

I read the thing about wingaling on their website. It says they're supposed to be there and are cooked somehow?

Thanks for the warning about the Turducken though! I'll have to check... When do you buy these cans?

ncarpi75 · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you so much for the warning! I am in the process of introducing Merrick to my girls, so I will be cautious!!

amykins · Apr 10, 2006

Wingaling is dog food. The bones are supposed to be there, as there are whole cooked wings in the can. Buddy loved it when I gave it to him and he never had a problem.

As for Turducken, I've never seen a bone, but like you I always chop through my cats food with a spoon before giving it to him. Thank you for the warning!

vanillasugar · Apr 10, 2006

wow, thanks for the warning!

Wingaling and Smothered Comfort dog formulas of Merrick both have bone purposefully. The bones are cooked to a point that they are soft and spongy, basically harmless. Most dogs I've met LOVE these types! Ordinarily, I'd be cautious of feeding ANY cooked bone, as I feel cooking makes it dangerous, but Merrick uses a special process and like I mentioned, these bones aren't hard and brittle, they're very soft.

momof3rugratz · Apr 10, 2006

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Yesterday I found a bone in the Turducken flavor canned food. It was narrow in width, but very sharp on either end and almost 3/4" long.

Turducken is a very chunky food, and I didn't see the bone at first. However, I always chop through the food and that's how I found it. What if I hadn't done that?

I called customer service, and interestingly, one of the options on the menu is "If you have questions about the bones in the Wingling (sic) food press 1..."
I'm assuming that's a dog food flavor, but apparently Merrick's processing/quality control isn't what it should be.

While polite and acknowledging that no bones should be in the cat food, the rep I spoke with never apologized for the bone being there, but only offered a coupon for a free can of food.

My advice is to always chop through any canned food, but especially chunky ones like Merrick where it's easy to miss things that shouldn't be there.

I do not use this food, but in case a emergency rose I am glad people like you post it for or babies to stay safe.

ncarpi75 · Apr 11, 2006

KTLynn, just out of curiousity, was the bone soft?
Thanks!

ktlynn · Apr 11, 2006

Julia, thanks for the info on the bones in Merrick's dog food.

Nicole, the bone I found in the Turducken cat food was rock hard, sharp and almost 1" long. If my cat had tried or even succeeded in swallowing it, this bone would have done a lot of damage.

Though I no longer have the can the bone was found in, the can was purchased within the last month.

I haven't been as happy with Merrick food lately as I was initially. There are large, hard chunks in the Turducken flavor now - it used to have a smoother consistency. The California Roll flavor has been so dry I have to add water to it. There are also a couple of ingredients in it that I can't find much info on. (What exactly is Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide? All I've found is that it's an ingredient given to cattle!)

The bone in the Turducken has convinced me that it's time to find another food. I've bought my last case of Merrick.

sharky · Apr 11, 2006

http://www.engormix.com/e_products512-875.htm

this link states it is idodine

momof3rugratz · Apr 11, 2006

That does suck. I think I will read that site. I have no clue why the chunks.

dawnofsierra · Apr 11, 2006

Wow, this is extremely disappointing.

liberty's buddy · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Thank you for the heads-up! Makes me have second thoughts about feeding Merricks though.

However, it does not bother me. I have found bones in just about every brand of soft food I have ever used. I always check before I feed it. Merrick's is literally the only brand of soft food Liberty will eat. That says a lot. I have not found bones yet but I did find a blueberry

. -kd

momof3rugratz · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by Liberty's Buddy

However, it does not bother me. I have found bones in just about every brand of soft food I have ever used. I always check before I feed it. Merrick's is literally the only brand of soft food Liberty will eat. That says a lot. I have not found bones yet but I did find a blueberry

. -kd

A blueberry. I did not know they made dessert LOL.

Merrick canned food warning

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member