Today it is quite difficult for novice dog breeders to navigate the huge range of food for their pets that are presented on the shelves of pet stores. On colorful packaging, all manufacturers, without exception, indicate that their food will help your dog be healthy, cheerful and strong.
However, veterinarians are confident that there are not so many truly high-quality formulations for animals on sale. In addition, often the same brand of product receives completely opposite reviews from its owners. Probably, many are familiar with the situation when a dog, for no apparent reason, stops eating his favorite treat or has an allergic reaction. An experienced owner will not torment himself with questions about what food to choose for his pet and what should be changed in the diet. He will simply go to the vet for a consultation. Well, if you haven’t done so yet, we will introduce you to products from German manufacturers - Meradog dog food.
A little about the manufacturing company
The high-quality product we present to you today is developed and manufactured in Germany by the family-owned company Mera, which has been in the pet nutrition industry for over sixty years. Mera has always been famous for its entrepreneurial spirit. Back in 1949, Karl Vos founded a company producing animal feed. The entrepreneur realized the growing needs of the population for these goods. Thanks to the presence of agricultural assets, the company was able to expand, and in the sixties of the last century it began producing milk for calves.
Fifteen years later, Bernd Vos successfully invested in the steadily growing pet food formula market, setting his company's course for the future. Super-premium dog food "Meradog" is a high-quality formulation that, thanks to the presence of natural ingredients in its composition, can improve the health of the dog, keep it in excellent shape and increase its performance.
The company's product range today includes various lines that are developed for different groups of pets. Experts from a well-known brand claim that their products include all the necessary substances and elements for the full development of a puppy and the active life of an adult animal. In addition, formulations are provided for allergic dogs that suffer from various forms of dermatitis, or those prone to obesity.
To get acquainted with the composition of Meradog dog food, we chose two super-premium and premium products. These are very popular and popular compositions.
Main varieties
This food is produced by the well-known company Mera in Europe. This manufacturer has been making pet products for about 60 years. There are currently two main varieties of dry food “Meradog” for dogs on the Russian market:
- super-premium class;
- premium class.
Such feeds differ primarily, of course, in cost. The price of premium “pads” is lower on the market. At the same time, they contain approximately 2-2.5 times less meat than a super-premium product. The most expensive food, Merodog, for example, contains about 30% of this ingredient. Premium class “pads” from this manufacturer contain an average of 11% meat.
Thus, the super-premium food “Meradog” contains more animal protein. The cheaper premium product from this manufacturer contains more plant matter. Another difference between these two types of food is that the super-premium “pads” contain, among other things, additives that improve dogs’ digestion and remove toxins from their bodies.
Of course, all Meradog products supplied to the market contain various vitamins and microelements necessary for the body of pets. The composition of the food from this manufacturer is absolutely natural. A fairly attractive appearance and pleasant texture are what, among other things, judging by the reviews, distinguishes Meradog food. The photo above shows the packaging of food from this particular manufacturer.
Junior High Premium
Dry food intended for puppies, in which the main source of protein is chicken meal (30%). This is quite a high figure. In addition, it includes:
- rice;
- corn;
- animal fat (chicken);
- linseed oil (2%);
- salmon oil (0.7%);
- Brewer's yeast;
- corn gluten;
- desugared beet chips;
- shellfish powder (0.03%);
- sunflower oil.
The composition is rich in vitamins and minerals:
- vitamins A, D, E, C, group B;
- selenium;
- beta-carotene;
- zinc;
- iron;
- iodine;
- manganese;
- prebiotics;
- L-carnitine;
- Omega fatty acids.
I. General information
1. Trade name of the medicinal product: Meradok.
International nonproprietary name: doramectin.
2. Dosage form: solution for injection.
Meradoc contains 1 ml of doramectin as an active ingredient - 10 mg, and as excipients: benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene and fractionated coconut oil (propylene glycol dicaprylate / dicaprate).
3. In appearance, the drug is a transparent liquid from light yellow to yellow.
The shelf life of the medicinal product, subject to storage conditions in the manufacturer's closed packaging, is 3 years from the date of production, after the first opening of the bottle - 90 days.
It is prohibited to use the drug Meradoc after the expiration date.
4. Meradoc is produced packaged in 20, 50, 100, 250 ml glass bottles, 500 ml in glass or polymer bottles of appropriate capacity, hermetically sealed with rubber stoppers, reinforced with aluminum caps with tamper evident clips. Bottles of 50 and 100 ml are packaged in individual cardboard packs. Each consumer package is supplied with instructions for use of the drug.
5. Store the medicinal product in the manufacturer’s sealed packaging, separate from food and feed, in a dry place, protected from light, at a temperature of 5°C to 30°C.
6. Meradoc should be stored out of the reach of children.
7. Unused medicinal product is disposed of in accordance with legal requirements.
8. Meradoc is available without a veterinarian's prescription.
Odor-Stop Agility and Odor-Stop Energy
If your pet (of any breed) is overly active, these types of Meradog dog food will be suitable for him (we have posted the photo below). Like the composition presented above, they include the Odor-Stop formula, which normalizes intestinal function. The source of protein in them is chicken meat, and its amount is quite large - 20 and 30%, respectively. The food contains the entire set of Omega fatty acids, antioxidants and L-carnitine.
Agility contains 2% fiber, 15% animal fat and 25% protein; in Energy this ratio is as follows: 2, 9.5 and 29%.
Premium class
Premium dog food "Meradog" does not have such a rich quality composition, but this is understandable: a significant difference in cost makes itself felt. But this does not mean that this line is of poor quality. The manufacturer guarantees that everything your pet needs is included in these foods.
This line also contains varieties of food for puppies and lactating bitches, adult animals, dogs with increased activity, and elderly animals.
Meglium
Meglium (Meglium) is another food from the above-mentioned manufacturer Mister Pet. The food, without much hesitation, can be classified as premium. Unfortunately, there is not much information about Meglium food.
The food has few disadvantages - it contains corn and there is no information about the origin of preservatives. There are more benefits and they are more significant!
The basis of the food is meat ingredients, and in considerable quantities. The food contains virtually no plant proteins, which significantly reduces the risk of food allergies. The food has a decent vitamin and mineral composition
What’s important is that Meglium is significantly cheaper than its closest competitors
Other Meradog products
Most recently, the Mera company launched a special line of professional food, “Exclusive,” which was developed for nurseries. It also belongs to the super-premium class. This is a complete nutrition for puppies from birth, adults and active animals. In addition, the company began to produce canned food for pets with sensitive digestion and those suffering from various allergies. They contain no grains. They were replaced by very attractive ingredients - deer, ram and buffalo meat. These are quite expensive products - a 400-gram package will cost you 200 rubles or more.
Dog food "Meradog": reviews from veterinarians
The undoubted advantage of food from German manufacturers is the fact that not only dog owners, but also professionals with extensive experience in veterinary medicine speak positively about these products. They classify Mera as one of a small number of manufacturers that produce food for absolutely all dogs. Its assortment includes dry food and canned food for adult healthy (and not so healthy) animals of all breeds, sizes and ages.
You need to know that the company’s assortment includes powdered milk containing all the necessary nutrients that contribute to the proper formation of the puppy’s growing body. Indeed, often, for a number of reasons, a dog cannot feed its offspring.
Veterinarians recommend paying attention to a special diet for dogs of different ages with nutritional problems. And this is not only gastrointestinal diseases, food allergies, but also pickiness, which is well known to many owners.
Foods for dogs with increased activity (sledding, sports, guard) are distinguished by a composition that helps speed up metabolism and very quickly restores expended energy. For breeders of large and active dogs, the presence of the “Smell, Stop!” formula is a big plus. The characteristic unpleasant odor from the dog is significantly reduced.
Veterinarians note that Meradog dog food has a good effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Owner reviews confirm this fact. The high protein content and amount of protein guarantees mobility that corresponds to the dog’s age, and useful supplements protect against many canine ailments, including kidney problems, obesity, and joint diseases. This is especially important for older animals.
However, experts draw the attention of owners to the fact that in most Meradog dog food, with the exception of hypoallergenic formulations, the source of protein is chicken, which quite often causes allergic reactions.
Veterinarians note the disadvantages of premium food. First of all, these include low meat content; corn is listed first in the composition. It is, of course, useful for the animal’s body, but only in moderate quantities and should not be the main source of nutrition. In addition, some foods contain a preservative, but the manufacturer does not indicate which one. Such foods should be given with caution to animals suffering from allergic reactions. Brewer's yeast causes digestive upset in some dogs.
Feeding schedule:
The table shows an approximate feeding schedule for puppies from the first day of life until the end of the growth period, which is recommended to be adapted to the individual characteristics of the puppy.
Age of the puppy Type of food Feeding frequency Recommendations Puppies (1 week) Bitch milk and/or Welpenmilch 12 times a day Welpenmilch is used to feed large litters and/or the bitch has a lack of milk, if she is sick or for increased nutrition of puppies Puppies (2 weeks) Bitch milk and/or Welpenmilch 8 times a day See above Puppies (3 weeks) Bitch milk and/or Welpenmilch 5-8 times a day See above Puppies (4 weeks) Bitch milk and/or Welpenmilch and Junior 1 or pure Junior, as well as MeraExklusivPuppy (professional line for nurseries) 3 – 5 times a day, the food is soaked with water. Start of feeding with dry food. During this period, you need to soak dry food and/or turn it into a puree Puppies (5 weeks) Bitch milk and/or Welpenmilch Junior 1 or pure Junior, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for kennels) 3 – 5 times a day, food is soaked in water Food provides about 50% of the nutritional needs Puppies (6 weeks) Welpenmilch and Junior 1 or pure Junior, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for kennels) 4 – 6 times a day, food is soaked in water Slow withdrawal of bitch milk . It is necessary to ensure constant access to fresh water Puppies (7 weeks) Welpenmilch and Junior 1 or pure Junior, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for nurseries) 4 – 6 times a day, food is soaked in water Puppies at this stage completely stop drinking bitch milk and switched to Welpenmilch or food Puppies (8 weeks) Junior 1 or pure Junior, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for kennels) 4 – 5 times a day, food soaked in water Constant access to fresh fresh water Puppies (8-12 week) Junior 1, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for nurseries) 4 times a day The recommended daily intake is divided into 4 parts. The 4th feeding can be skipped when the puppy does not want to eat Young dogs (4-6 months) Junior 1*, as well as Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for kennels). *Large breeds from 5 months Junior2 3 times a day The total daily intake should be gradually increased to reach the recommended daily intake Young dogs (7-12 months) Junior 1 small and medium breeds, Junior 2 large breeds, and Mera Exklusiv Puppy (professional line for nurseries) 2 times a day The total daily ration should gradually increase. You must monitor the weight of large breed dogs so as not to overload the dog's skeleton with excess weight Adult dogs (12-24 months) Adult dog food for small and medium breeds, Junior 2 for large breed dogs until the end of the growth period 1 - 2 times a day Depending on whether you reward your dog with treats or not, you should adjust the number of times your dog eats.
Important! After eating, the dog should rest.
Where to buy Meradog food?
The main disadvantage of these compounds is that they are difficult to find in stores even in large cities. You can buy Meradog food for dogs in St. Petersburg in the following stores:
“Zooexpress”, located at the address: metro station “Spasskaya”, st. Dekabristov, 58. In addition, quite often this food is available at the ZooCenter at 50 Eighth Sovetskaya Street.
In Moscow, Meradog dog food can be bought in several stores:
- Petmarkets (metro station "University", Vernadsky Avenue, 6).
- EuroMail (metro station “Shosse Entuziastov”, Perovskaya street, 1).
- “PLATINUM RUS” (metro station “Maryina Roshcha”, Polkovaya street, 3с1).
Residents of small towns can be recommended to purchase Mera products in trusted online stores.
Meradog food for dogs: reviews from owners
Since this food is not widely distributed in Russia, there are not many reviews from owners. Most of them note that owners learn about these compounds from breeders or veterinarians, but the problem is that in small towns it is almost impossible to buy it even in specialized stores, despite the high cost.
Several reviews of Junior puppy food allow us to understand how kids perceive it. They should be soaked first, although the granules swell slowly. After just a few days, babies begin to feed on their own without prior preparation of the product. There are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract, although due to the presence of chicken, experienced dog breeders recommend giving the mixture in small portions at the initial stage and monitoring the condition of the animal. Puppies begin to drink much more, so it is necessary to take care of free access to water. Animals become much more active and the appearance of their fur improves.
Positive reviews are also left by owners of large hyperactive dogs, to whom veterinarians recommend giving special Energy food, which contains 30% chicken meat. I was pleased with the set of minerals and vitamins. The food has a beneficial effect on digestion and does not cause negative reactions. Owners recommend following the dosage indicated on each package.
Treats in the diet of shepherd dogs
It is better to completely exclude human dishes and high-calorie treats: they provoke problems with appetite and are not always balanced in accordance with the needs of dogs. Most of them contain too much salt and spices, excess fat and (or) carbohydrates. Sometimes foods that are harmless to humans turn out to be real poison for dogs - for example, onions, garlic, chocolate and avocado.
If treats are used as rewards for work and training, it is better to take special meat-based dog treats. They are safe for the shepherd, rich in animal protein and moderate in calories.
Acana and Orijen dog treats are made from 80-100% fresh meat and poultry, prepared using a freeze-drying method that does not involve high-temperature processing. This allows you to preserve maximum benefits and meat taste, which predators like so much. The packages of treats indicate the caloric content of one piece, which helps keep the shepherd dog’s daily diet under complete control.
