Gonna try Merrick

[MonicaBH]

I have been waffling back and forth on switching Clyde's food, since Natural Balance makes him very flatulent (he is otherwise doing very well on it).

Although I found mixed reviews on Merrick's food, I did find a petstore in town that offers a 10 day satisfaction guarantee on all food, so I got a small bag of Merrick Wilderness Blend (with a small bag of EVO Red Meat as a mixer). The protein and fat percentages in Merrick seem to fit what I read here are the requirements for Rotts, and the ingredient list looks to be suitable. I also am in love with their canned food selection. When my Siberian husky wouldn't eat anything else, she'd eat Merrick's canned food. They have very fun names for their food, too.

I'll give him ~12 weeks on Merrick before I make a decision; if that doesn't help with his gas (and occasional squishy poops) I plan to try Canidae, since many people here feed that with great results. I suppose I should have tried Canidae first, since more people here feed it than not it seems, but there is something about Merrick that compelled me to try it. Who knows.

I am hoping that Clyde does well on Merrick. It is very expensive but if it works I will certainly keep him on it.

[Paulos]

Good luck with the Merrick food...I think it is very good food. Getting back to the Natural Balance...it, too, is very good. Perhaps you are overfeeding, and thus causing the loose stools. One thing that I use to control the gas problem is a table spoon full of yogurt with active cultures in every bowl of food. Really helps to control gas.
Again, good luck...and let us know how the Merricks works-out.

[mschmeder]

I was using the Country Cowboy and I cant remember the one with salmon ... Nikko LOVES them.... It makes gravy if you add water.

I switched back to Nurto and that every few months. He seems to eat too much of the Merrik and I think it is cause he likes it so much. My fault should just not give him any more but he is lean and I thought maybe it wasnt filling him the same...

[groupieindenial]

Let us know how the switch goes. The ingredients are similar, but many more different ingredients in the Merrick (including peas which cause gas). So I'm curious.

[brunie's mom]

I agree with the peas being something that causes gas. If your dog is gassy on Natural Balance....watch out on the Merrick!!!

The peas, and carrots, apples,etc. are gas producers. It's a very nice looking food....but the few customer's that I have feeding it all complain about their gassy dogs ( of different breeds).

Why don't you try a simpler food? Like California Natural. No goodies, no extras,etc.

Gina