Here is our Merrick dog food review.
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What’s the best food for my dog?
If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.
For many pet parents, identifying the right food that caters to the unique needs of their canines is quite challenging.
Untruthful marketing gimmicks, dishonest and contradicting online reviews, and endless product options complicate this process.
However, we’ve got you.
We evaluate and analyze different dog food brands in terms of the quality of ingredients, any recalls, recipes available, and where the food is produced to help you make an informed choice.
This article gives you a detailed review of Merrick dog food to help determine if it’s the best fit for your dog.
Come with us.
About Merrick Dog Food
Founded in 1988 by Garth Merrick, this is a premium, independently-owned pet food that offers high-quality dog food for dogs of all life stages. The company takes pride in providing high-quality, protein-rich, and calorie-dense formulas that promote health and longevity. It offers hand-crafted, wholesome recipes using only fresh and organic ingredients.
Who Owns Merrick Dog Food
Initially, Merrick dog food was owned by Merrick Petcare, Inc. until it was bought out by Purina Nestle Purina Pet Care company in 2015. However, the company’s management remains largely unchanged and still continues to operate as an independent business.
Merrick Dog Food Sub Brands
This brand has an impressive array of dog food product lines. These are the sub-brands of Merrick dog food:
- Merrick classic healthy grains: The recipes in this product line combine animal protein with carbohydrates from wholesome grains like oatmeal, barley, and whole brown rice. These are easy on a dog’s stomach. The formulas here come in dry and freeze-dried raw coating forms.
- Backcountry raw infused: This utilizes exotic animal proteins to supplement the ancestral dog diet with freeze-dried meat and poultry. The formulas in this line come in canned and dry forms and include grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
- Grain-free: These are formulated without grains to cater to the needs of dogs that have grain sensitivities. The products feature protein-first and are supplemented with wholesome ingredients for optimal nutrition.
- Limited ingredient diets: These are crafted with few ingredients, usually less than ten, and targeted for dogs with food sensitivities. They also come in grain-free and grain-inclusive formulas and canned and dry options.
- Merrick Lil plates: This line consists of energy-rich formulas that include supplements that promote healthy digestion, joints, and skin. It includes kibble, wet recipes, and treats.
What is the Nutritional Profile of Merrick Dog Foods?
It’s important to have a keen look at the nutritional content of any dog food before settling for it. This will give you important insights into its suitability and ability to meet your dog’s needs.
By looking at the carbohydrate, protein, and fat contents on the ingredients list, you can gauge the nutritional value of any food. This is what the nutritional profile of Merrick dog food looks like:
Carbohydrate Value of Merrick Dog Food
Carbohydrates make good sources of energy that dogs need to fuel their activities. Dogs need the energy released when carbohydrates are broken down to play and work. The brand uses low-glycemic carbohydrates like barley, oatmeal, and whole wheat as their carbohydrate sources. Merrick dog food has a near-average carbohydrate level of 45%
Protein Value of Merrick Dog Food
Proteins are essential for healthy muscles and tissues and boosting dogs’ performance. Proteins supply dogs’ amino acids to build, repair, and maintain healthy cells, tissues, ligaments, and muscles. Merrick dog food has an above-average protein level of 30%.
Fat Value of Merrick Dog Food
Fats are essential for keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy and supple but are also helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, minimizing inflammations, building stronger cell membranes, and improving brain health. This dog food has a near-average fat level of 17%.
What are the Best Merrick Recipes and Flavors?
Merrick dog food has a wide range range of products to choose from. These come in both dry and wet dog food forms. The brand also offers grain-inclusive and grain-free formulations.
The following are the best recipes and flavors for this dog food brand.
- Puppy formulas: These are crafted with the needs of growing puppies in mind. The formulas thus contain higher protein and fat amounts to support puppies’ optimal muscle growth and health during their first years.
- Adult formulas: These are formulated to help adult dogs of different sizes maintain optimal health and performance.
- Senior recipes: These are formulated with the needs of aging dogs in mind. These formulas are added with chondroitin, glucosamine, EPA, DHA, and enhanced fiber to support joint health and promote healthy digestion. They also contain added omega fatty acids and antioxidants to help the weakening immune systems by neutralizing free radicals.
- Weight management formulas: These are formulated with lower fats and calories, plus controlled protein levels to aid dogs in maintaining a healthy weight.
- Small breed formulas: These address the specific nutritional needs of small-breed dogs
What Makes Merrick Dog Food Unique?
Various things make Merrick dog food stand out from other competing brands. These include
- Human-grade food: Merrick uses fresh, organic, and human-grade ingredients to make nutritionally balanced meals for dogs of different ages, sizes, and life stages. The brand believes in providing the best nutrition for dogs that is fit for humans.
- Wide variety: This dog food brand offers various products to choose from. It offers formulas for puppies, adults, seniors, and small-breed dogs. It also has wet and dry food options and grain-free and grain-inclusive formulas, making it easy to pick what suits your dog best.
- Wholesome and nutritionally complete meals: All the recipes from this brand are crafted with wholesome ingredients, including proteins, minerals, and vitamins, to provide a completely balanced nutrition with all the necessary dietary components that dogs need to thrive.
- Offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options: This brand has grain-free recipes to cater to dogs with grain sensitivities and allergies, as well as grain-inclusive formulas for pups that don’t mind some grains
- No fillers: Merrick dog food does not include any fillers or artificial ingredients that offer no nutritional benefits to dogs. The food is completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Healthy grains: This brand avoids troublesome grains such as soy, wheat, or corn and opts for wholesome options such as barley, whole brown rice, and oatmeal as its carbohydrate sources. These are packed with fiber hence easy on the stomach.
- Adherence to AAFCO standards: This dog food is designed to meet or exceed all safety and quality standards set by AAFCO. All the recipes are formulated as per the set requirements for specific uses.
What Are the Individual Dog Food Recipes from Merrick Dog Food Brand?
The following are some of the best recipes from Merrick dog food:
Merrick Classic Puppy Recipe
Crafted with high-quality proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, this food provides all the nutrients your puppy needs to thrive. It features deboned chicken as the first ingredient to help your pup build healthy muscles. Quinoa is added to support healthy digestion, while omega fatty acids promote healthy skin and coat.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Oatmeal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 406 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, small, medium, and large breeds.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced diet formulated to support optimal growth and health of puppies.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Best for Overall body health, Healthy hips and joints
- Price: $47.98for 12-lb bag
Benefits
- Formulated with DHA to promote healthy brain development
- Loaded with omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin nourished and its coat shiny
- Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy bones and joints
- Contains wholesome grains like quinoa to support optimal digestion
- Made with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient for high-quality proteins to help build and maintain healthy muscles.
Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe
Formulated to the needs of small dogs, this recipe features small kibble size to make it easy for them to chew and swallow. It features deboned chicken as the first ingredient to help your dog build and maintain healthy muscles.
It adds a healthy blend of grains such as quinoa and other ancient grains to promote healthy digestion, plus essential vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet that supports overall health.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 404 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Extra small and small breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced diet formulated to support optimal growth and health of small breed dogs.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Overall body health, Healthy muscles, skin, coat, hips, and joints
- Price: $47.99 for a 12-lb bag
Benefits
- Features small-sized kibbles perfect for your dog’s small mouth, making it easy to chew and swallow
- Made with real deboned chicken as the key ingredient to help build and maintain healthy muscles
- Contains high levels of omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat
- Includes healthy and easily digestible grains like quinoa to aid digestion
- Added glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy hips and joints
Merrick Classic Real Beef and Brown Rice
This food is crafted with real deboned beef as the first ingredient, plus vitamins and minerals, offering a nutritionally balanced diet for adult dogs of all breeds. The high-quality proteins in this food can help your dog build and maintain healthy muscles.
With powerful omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, this meal will keep your pal’s skin nourished and its coat glossy and promote joint and hip health. What’s more, the food is free from peas, lentils, and potatoes, which may upset your dog’s system.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Pork Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Oatmeal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 386 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced diet formulated to support optimal growth and health of adult dogs of all breeds.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Overall body health, Healthy muscles, skin, coat, hips, and joints
- Price: $73.98 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Formulated with high-quality proteins from deboned beef to healthy power muscles
- Crafted with high omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support healthy skin, glossy coat, and strong joints.
- Includes a unique blend of ancient grains such as quinoa to support optimal digestion
Merrick Classic Real Chicken and Brown Rice
This recipe features high-quality proteins and a blend of healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables for a complete and balanced dog diet. The meal is formulated for adult dogs of all breeds to support optimal health.
The food is made with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient for easily digestible proteins that support healthy muscles. Ancient grains like quinoa are added to aid digestion, plus omega fatty acids to enhance skin health.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 393 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced diet formulated to support optimal growth and health of adult dogs of all breeds.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Overall body health, Healthy muscles, skin, coat, hips, and joints
- Price: $69.98 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Contains high-quality proteins from deboned chicken to help build and maintain healthy muscle tissue
- Loaded with omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to foster healthy skin and a glossy coat
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints
- Free from peas, lentils, and potatoes hence easily digestible
- Formulated with ancient grains like quinoa to support optimal digestion
Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe
With optimal protein and fiber levels and without extra calories and fat, this recipe is formulated to help maintain a healthy weight. Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient in this food, providing easily digestible proteins to help maintain lean muscles. It also includes a healthy blend of grains like brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and quinoa to promote healthy digestion.
The food is fortified with L-carnitine to support healthy digestion, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, and essential vitamins and minerals to provide a complete and balanced diet for dogs.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 9% min, Crude Fiber 10% Max.
- Calories: 355 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Low fat and calorie diet designed with optimal protein and fiber levels to help dogs maintain a healthy weight
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free, Weight-control
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Weight management
- Price: $69.98 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Low-fat and calorie recipes formulated with optimal amounts of protein and fiber to help dogs maintain a healthy weight.
- Enriched with L-carnitine to promote healthy metabolism
- Contains generous omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to foster skin and coat health
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin to enhance hip and joint health
- Includes essential vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet that supports overall health.
Merrick Healthy Grains Senior Recipe
This meal is crafted with nutrient-rich ingredients to offer targeted nutrition that supports overall health in aging dogs. With real deboned chicken as the primary ingredient, plus a healthy blend of grains, including barley, quinoa, brown rice, and oatmeal, this food will help your pup build healthy muscles and keep its digestive system in top condition.
Better still, the food has DHA to boost brain health and chondroitin and glucosamine to foster to keep your dog’s joints in perfect shape. It also adds generous omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 381 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: highly digestible and completely balanced diet formulated to support optimal health in senior dogs.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Senior dogs, Sensitive digestion
- Price: $69.96 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Builds healthy muscles with high-quality, easily-digestible proteins from real deboned chicken
- Supports brain health and functioning with added DHA.
- Includes grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley, and oatmeal to promote healthy digestion
- Completely free from lentils, peas, soy, corn, or potatoes hence easy on the stomach
Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Puppy Recipe
Specially crafted with the needs of growing puppies in mind, this food features real chicken as the primary ingredient to help build healthy muscles and tissues. It also adds fiber-rich grains to support healthy digestion. Every piece of this kibble contains a freeze-dried raw coating that enhances the taste and digestibility of the food and adds a boost of nutrition.
With real whole foods such as carrots and apples and without any corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives, this recipe will deliver optimal nutrition for your growing puppy.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 408 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein with a freeze-dried raw coating formulated to enhance digestibility and boost nutrition for optimal health of puppies.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Puppies
- Best for Sensitive digestion
- Price: $79.98 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Added with DHA to support healthy brain development in puppies
- Includes grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal for healthy sources of fiber and to promote healthy digestion.
- Crafted with whole foods like carrots and apples and without troublesome ingredients such as soy, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives hence great for sensitive digestion.
Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Beef and Brown Rice
With a freeze-dried raw coating on each kibble, this recipe contains proteins from real deboned beef to help build and maintain healthy muscles in adult dogs. In addition to the goodness of a raw diet, the food adds a blend of healthy grains, including brown rice and oatmeal, for good doses of fiber and healthy digestion.
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids are added to keep your pup’s skin well nourished and its coat beautiful, while chondroitin and glucosamine support joint health.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned beef, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Turkey Meal, and Barley.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 385 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein with a freeze-dried raw coating formulated to enhance digestibility and boost nutrition for optimal health of adult dogs.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, freeze-dried, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Sensitive digestion
- Price: $81.98 for a 25-lb bag
Benefits
- Deboned beef is the first ingredient for good protein sources to build healthy muscles.
- Contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints
- Includes a blend of healthy grains for rich fiber sources and promotes healthy digestion.
Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Chicken and Brown Rice
This food starts with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient for lean protein sources to help your dog maintain strong muscles. It adds other wholesome ingredients like brown rice and produces a balanced meal that supports overall.
The recipe includes a blend of whole grains for better digestion, while a freeze-dried raw coating boosts protein levels and promotes digestibility.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Turkey Meal, and Oatmeal.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 390 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein with a freeze-dried raw coating formulated to enhance digestibility and boost nutrition for optimal health of adult dogs.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, freeze-dried, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Sensitive digestion
- Price: $79.98 for a 22-lb bag
Benefits
- Made with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints
- Crafted with deboned chicken for lean proteins that build healthy muscles
- Free from peas, lentils, and potatoes hence great for sensitive digestion
Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Salmon and Brown Rice
Featuring real animal protein from salmon as the key ingredient, this food offers nose-to-tail nutrition that dogs need to thrive. It’s formulated without peas, lentils, or potatoes that may upset your pup’s tummy.
This food contains a freeze-dried raw coating to boost protein levels and improve digestion to help your dog develop and maintain lean muscle mass and fuel healthy energy levels. A blend of whole grains is added to support healthy digestion, while omega fatty acids foster healthy skin.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, and Barley.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 395 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein with a freeze-dried raw coating formulated to enhance digestibility and boost nutrition for optimal health of adult dogs.
- Type of product: Dry food, With grain, freeze-dried, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Sensitive digestion
- Price: $81.98 for a 22-lb bag
Benefits
- Loaded with proteins to help maintain lean muscle mass
- Enriched with omega fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat in top condition
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints
- Includes wholesome grains to aid digestion and supply fiber
Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Merrick offers a line of grain-free formulas to cater to dogs sensitive to grains. This puppy recipe is one of the products in this line. Featuring deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this meal also adds salmon for rich protein sources to help your furbaby build and maintain healthy muscles. The food blends freeze-dried raw-coated kibble and freeze-dried raw bites to provide the benefits of a raw diet.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 397 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein with a freeze-dried raw coating formulated to enhance digestibility and boost nutrition for optimal health of puppies
- Type of product: Dry food, grain-free, freeze-dried, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Best for Sensitive digestion
- Price: $81.98 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Loaded with protein from chicken and salmon to help build healthy muscles
- Enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy muscles and joints
- Rich in omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to foster skin and coat health
- Free from grains hence ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitivities.
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food
This recipe is formulated to help dogs maintain a healthy weight with optimal protein and fat levels. Crafted with 55% protein and healthy fat plus 45% produce, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients, this food provides a complete and balanced natural dog food with optimal protein and fiber without added calories or fat.
Deboned beef is the first ingredient for quality protein to help build and maintain healthy muscle tissues and optimal energy levels. Leading omega fatty acids are added to support healthy skin and coat, while glucosamine and chondroitin help keep the joints and hips healthy.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, and Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 10% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 354 kcal/ cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; Small, medium, and large breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, age, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Completely balanced food formulated with ideal protein and fat levels and without extra calories to help dogs maintain a healthy weight.
- Type of product: Dry food, grain-free, freeze-dried, No corn, No wheat, Pea-free,
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best for Weight control
- Price: $69.98 for a 22-lb bag
Benefits
- High in protein from real deboned beef to help build and maintain healthy muscles and energy.
- Contains high levels of omega fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin and keep its coat healthy
- Includes good levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints and hips
- Has optimal levels of protein and fiber without extra calories and fat to aid in weight management.
Customer Reviews
Check out what some of the brand’s customers had to say about this dog food.
Positive
‘’Just switched to this food for health reasons with one of my pups. All three of them love it. They get so excited at mealtime. They are jumping up and down’’.
Customer review
‘’I have always tried to give my fur baby the best. He did not like his last brand of dog food. This one matches what vets are saying about what dogs need. This seems to meet those goals. And he likes it. He seems to enjoy the whole grains too. I want Dash to enjoy his food and be good for him’’.
Customer review
Negative
‘’I purchased this because it seemed to have the same ingredients or at least similar ones to Nutro. He got sick from it. But he is a small dog and has a sensitive belly. It may be just fine for other pups’’.
Customer review
Merrick Recalls
While Merrick dog food strives to maintain the quality of its products, it has still recorded some recalls in the past. These are as follows:
- In July 2010, the FDA recalled Merrick Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold ’em dog treats due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In January 2011, the FDA recalled Jr. Texas dog treats due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In August 2011, the FDA issued another recall for Doggie Wishbone Pet Treats due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In May 2018, Merrick made a voluntary recall on some of Background Great Plains Real Beef treats due to potentially high levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormones.
What is the quality of ingredients in Merrick Dog Food?
Merrick takes pride in producing high-quality, nutritious dog food using only natural, fresh, human-grade ingredients in all its recipes. The brand does not include fillers or artificial ingredients like colors, flavors, or preservatives. All the formulas start with real animal meat protein as the first ingredient.
Does Merrick Dog Food Products include Chicken?
Yes, Merrick dog food includes chicken as the primary ingredient in some recipes. This is because chicken is a good source of easily digestible proteins that help build lean muscle mass. However, chicken is also a major cause of allergies in dogs.
Are Merrick Dog Foods produced from slaughterhouse waste?
No, this dog food brand does not include any slaughterhouse waste, which consists of animal remains after all the meat has been removed. This can include beaks, horns, skin, hooves, and other undesirable parts. The brand only uses high-quality ingredients like real meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Discussion of Most Important Ingredients – Good and Bad
Merrick dog food includes some great ingredients in its products.
- Deboned chicken: This is chicken meat with all the bones removed. Chicken is a good source of easily digestible proteins that help to build and maintain healthy muscles in dogs. It’s also loaded with essential fatty acids that foster healthy skin.
- Chicken and turkey meals: Meat meals provide a concentrated source of protein with up to 300% more protein than fresh meat. This is useful in upping the protein content of dog food.
- Potatoes: These make excellent alternative carbohydrate sources in grain-free food. Potatoes contain minerals and vitamins like vitamins B6 & C, potassium, manganese, and copper.
- Sweet potatoes are good sources of complex carbohydrates that supply energy to keep dogs moving. Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene, which promotes vision and dietary fiber, which keeps the digestive system flowing smoothly.
- Peas: These provide additional proteins and some energy for dogs. They are also good fiber sources that keep the digestive system flowing smoothly.
- Pork meal: This protein-rich meat concentrate is loaded with essential amino acids for healthy muscles, plus other vitamins and minerals that dogs need to thrive.
- Salmon and Salmon meal: Besides being an excellent source of high-quality protein, this is also a great source of omega-3 fats that help in improving skin health, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. Salmon is especially great for dogs allergic to beef or chicken meat.
- Flaxseed oil: This provides a healthy form of dietary fat and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Apples: These fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins such as C. They also contain decent amounts of fiber.
- Chelated vitamins and minerals: These enhance nutrient absorption and ensure that dogs get all the nutrients they need for optimal health
- Probiotics: Merrick dog food includes probiotics like dried lactobacillus plan tram and dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation products which aid digestion and support a healthy digestive system.
Controversial ingredients
These are some of the less desirable ingredients that Merrick dog food includes:
- Potatoes: While this has significant protein amounts, it is less biologically available for dogs and has lower nutritional value than animal protein.
- Pea protein: This is considered controversial as plant proteins are not as biologically available as animal proteins
Merrick Dog Food Advantages: What We Like About It
- High-quality Dog Food: Merrick uses high-quality ingredients in all their products to deliver biologically appropriate dog food. It uses real animal meats and does not include by-products. The brand also avoids artificial ingredients like flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- Wide variety: This dog food offers a wide range of products to suit different ages, breeds, and needs. It also offers grain-inclusive and grain-free options.
- Locally sourced ingredients: Merrick does not outsource its production. All their ingredients are sourced from local farmers, fishers, and ranchers and pass through federally inspected facilities.
- Complete and balanced nutrition: Besides meat, Merrick includes a healthy selection of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables and other botanicals to provide nutritionally balanced diets for dogs.
- AAFCO Adherence: All Merrick dog food products are crafted adhering to and exceeding all guidelines set by AAFCO as minimum requirements.
- Delicious, high-quality proteins: Merrick prides itself in using human-grade protein, including real USDA-inspected beef, chicken, pork, and turkey, among others. Real animal meat is the primary ingredient in all the formulas.
- No fillers: This dog food is free from filler ingredients that add no nutritional value to dogs, such as corn, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The brand includes wholesome ingredients that are filled with nutrition.
- Limited ingredient and grain-free food: Merrick dog food offers several limited-ingredient and grain-free recipes that are ideal for dogs with food-related allergies.
- Chelated minerals: This dog food includes chelated minerals, which are easier to absorb and ensure that dogs get all the nutrients they need.
Merrick Dog Food Disadvantages: What We Don’t Like About It
While there’s a lot to love about this dog food, it isn’t without flaws. These are some of the things we dislike about Merrick dog food:
- Controversial ingredients: Merrick includes some controversial ingredients, pea protein, potatoes, and alfalfa which are considered lower in nutritional value.
- Past recalls: This brand has recorded some recalls in the past, which put a question mark on the quality and safety of its products.
- It’s costly: Being a premium brand, Merrick dog food comes at a higher cost than the average dog food available in pet stores.
Is Merrick good food dog brand?
Merrick is a good food brand that provides nutritionally complete and fully balanced meals for dogs of different ages, sizes, breeds, and health conditions. The brand offers a wide variety of formulas to choose from.
Is Merrick Dog Food good for dog skin?
Yes, Merrick dog food recipes and formulas are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, from sources like flaxseed oil and pork oil, which is essential for nourishing the skin and coat of dogs.
Is Merrick Dog Food good for itchy skin?
Yes, Merrick dog food is formulated without common food allergens like corn, wheat, or soy which are major contributors to itchy skin. The brand also offers grain-free options that cater to dogs with allergies.
Is Merrick Dog food good for puppies?
Yes, Merrick dog food is good for puppies. The brand offers some puppy-specific recipes that are formulated with higher protein content to cater to the needs of growing puppies of different sizes and breeds.
Is Merrick Dog food good for older dogs?
Yes, the brand offers some formulas specially designed to cater to the needs of aging dogs. These formulas include supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health and lots of fiber and probiotics to aid digestion.
Is Merrick Dog Food healthy for dog growth?
Yes, this dog food includes high-quality proteins, including real animal meat meals and meat meals to supply the amino acids that dogs need to build healthy muscles and support healthy growth.
Is Merrick Dog Food expensive?
Yes, Merrick dog food is a premium dog food brand that makes its food with high-quality human-grade ingredients. You can thus expect to get it at higher prices than the average kibble available in pet stores.
Is Merrick Dog Food AAFCO approved?
Yes, all Merrick dog food recipes are formulated to meet or exceed all AAFCO set standards regarding the quality and safety of dog food.
Is Merrick Dog Food grain free?
Merrick has grain-free recipes that cater to the needs of dogs with grain sensitivities and grain-inclusive formulas for dogs that tolerate grains with no issues.
Is Merrick Dog Food high energy for dog food?
Yes, this dog food is considered a high-energy food with an above-average protein content of 3o% and a below-average fat level of 15%. It is thus suitable even for dogs with high energy needs.
Is Merrick Dog food produced in the USA?
Yes, Merrick manufactures all its food in the USA. All the brand’s recipes and formulas are produced at the company’s three facilities in Hereford, Texas.
Where to buy Merrick Dog Food products in the USA?
Merrick dog food is widely available from various online outlets, including Amazon, Chewy, Target, Petco, and PetSmart.
How is the Merrick Dog Food shipment speed?
While this depends on the online retailer and their shipping terms, you can expect to get your dog food in 1-3 days after making an order.
Comparable Brands
While Merrick is a good brand, it may not be suitable for your dog for various reasons. If this is the case, these are alternative brands that you can check.
Acana Dog Food
Acana dog food is a Canadian-based multi-award-winning multinational producer of ‘’biologically appropriate’’ pet food. The company aims to provide quality nutrition that’s different from traditional pet diets by mixing a high protein, low carbohydrate diet with health-promoting botanicals, fruits, and vegetables rather than grains linked to adverse reactions, allergies, digestive issues, and intolerances in dogs.
Acana dog food is made up of a nutritious and healthful blend of natural ingredients that are fresh and varied, giving your dog a well-balanced diet.
Pro
- Offers complete and balanced dog food
- Has a wide variety to choose from
- Has never recorded any recall
Cons
- It’s costly
- Offers a single wet dog food option
- Includes controversial ingredients like alfalfa
Instinct Original
Established in 2002 and owned by Nature’s Variety, Instinct dog food provides a natural, nutritious, and raw diet that’s as close to a dog’s ancestral diet as possible. The brand, with the help of a veterinarian nutritionist and other professionals, crafts and offers various recipes designed to meet the varied nutritional needs of dogs.
Pros
- Nutrient-dense food formulated with only wholesome ingredients
- Offers raw food for optimal nutrition
- Utilizes only high-quality ingredients with no fillers
Cons
- It includes controversial ingredients
- Has had recalls in the past
American Journey
American Journey is a new dog food producer founded in 2017 and owned by Chewy.com. This dog food brand offers various recipes for dogs at different life stages. These include grain-free, grain-inclusive, dry, and wet dog food. American Journey has formulations for puppies, adults, and senior dogs and breed-specific options for large and small breeds.
The American Journey dog food products are exclusively sold on Chewy’s website and are fairly affordable compared to other premium brands.
Pros
- Uses real meat sources as the primary ingredients in all formulas
- Wide variety of options for all life stages
- Includes both grain-free and grain-inclusive options
- All formulas are made in adherence to AAFCO standards
- Formulated with higher protein levels
Cons
- It’s a relatively new brand
- It’s not available in other stores and can only be purchased at Chewy.com
Is Merrick Dog Food Worth It? Our Verdict
Yes, based on our review, Merrick dog food is worth it.
The brand offers high-quality, natural, nutritionally complete, balanced meals utilizing only high-quality ingredients. All its recipes include healthy whole foods and essential nutrients that contribute significantly to your dog’s well-being.
Moreover, Merrick has a wide variety of options, including grain-free and grain-inclusive foods. All the formulas are carefully and mindfully crafted to address the needs of dogs at different life stages and breeds.
We recommend you try this brand if you want premium food completely free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and other filler ingredients.