Merrick Dog Food Review 2025
Choosing the right diet for your dog can feel overwhelming with so many brands and formulas on the market. This Merrick dog food review explores a brand that has earned a strong following thanks to its focus on balanced nutrition for dogs at every life stage.
We’ll break down Merrick’s product lines, highlight standout ingredients, look at the benefits each formula offers, and review its recall history to give you a full picture.
Merrick Dog Food History
Merrick Pet Care was founded in 1988 by Garth Merrick in his family’s kitchen in Hereford, Texas. Driven by the desire to make meals good enough for his dog, Gracie, Merrick started with wholesome, human-grade ingredients. That commitment to quality became the foundation for all Merrick’s dog food recipes, shaping the brand’s long-standing reputation for premium nutrition.
Expansion of the Brand
Over the years, the company steadily grew, introducing canned recipes alongside dry kibble and gaining top ratings for nutritional value. Long before it became common in the industry, Merrick prioritised locally sourced, fresh ingredients to craft its meals
Acquisition by Nestlé Purina
In 2015, Merrick joined the Nestlé Purina PetCare family, expanding its distribution while keeping its management and core values intact. This partnership gave Merrick access to advanced research while maintaining its focus on all-natural ingredients, environmental responsibility, and community programs like pet adoption initiatives.
Key Product Lines
Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Merrick grain-free dog food is crafted for dogs that don’t do well with grains. The recipes start with deboned meat—like chicken, beef, salmon, buffalo, or duck—as the first ingredient for high-quality protein.
This supports muscle health, energy, and a shiny coat. Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as peas, sweet potatoes, and blueberries, add fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Available in both wet and dry formats, these formulas provide flexibility without compromising on nutrition. Check the complete dog food review here
Merrick Raw Infused
Blending high-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces, this range offers a nutrient-rich diet that mimics the benefits of raw feeding without the extra prep work. Recipes like Great Plains Red combine proteins such as beef, lamb, and rabbit to deliver varied amino acids and robust flavour.
The freeze-dried pieces are processed for safety, retaining natural nutrients while appealing to dogs’ palates.
Merrick Ingredient Diet
Designed for dogs with allergies or sensitivities, these recipes focus on a single protein source and remove common allergens like chicken, beef, dairy, and eggs. Options such as the Turkey & Brown Rice formula rely on whole foods and omit artificial additives. Healthy fats from flaxseed and sunflower oil support skin and coat health, making this line suitable for dogs with dietary restrictions.
Merrick Canned Dog Food
This range features real meat, poultry, or fish combined with vegetables and whole grains. Favorites like Grammy’s Pot Pie mix deboned chicken, carrots, sweet potatoes, and apples in savory gravy. Its soft texture and higher moisture make it a good choice for older dogs or those with dental issues, while still offering balanced nutrition.
Merrick Lil’ Plates
Tailored for small breeds, Merrick Lil’ Plates uses smaller kibble sizes with nutrient-dense formulas like Real Chicken & Sweet Potato. They provide digestible carbohydrates, probiotics for digestive health, and omega fatty acids for coat shine. The kibble shape also helps reduce plaque buildup.
Merrick Kitchen Comforts
These fully cooked, ready-to-serve meals resemble homemade dishes such as Beef Stew with beef, peas, carrots, and potatoes in gravy. They are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, offering complete nutrition in a convenient format.
Merrick All Toppers
Meal toppers like Chicken Bone Broth enhance both flavor and moisture, making food more appealing for picky eaters. They also add nutrients like collagen, which supports joint health. These can be served over kibble, mixed with canned food, or offered as a standalone treat.
Merrick Raw-Coated
By coating kibble with freeze-dried raw, this line delivers high protein content and enhanced taste. Options like Raw-Coated Beef preserve enzymes and probiotics to support digestion while adding a richer flavor profile.
Merrick Healthy Grains
Combining proteins such as chicken with wholesome grains like brown rice, barley, and quinoa, this line delivers energy, fiber, and essential nutrients. It’s ideal for dogs that thrive on a balanced grain-based diet.
Merrick Puppies
Merrick dog food for puppies is made with high-quality protein from deboned chicken and includes DHA to support brain and eye development. The smaller kibble is easy for young dogs to chew and digest, supporting steady growth and overall health during early life stages.
Merrick Dog Treats
From bite-sized training rewards to dental chews, Merrick’s treat selection avoids corn, wheat, and soy. In this Merrick dog treats review, quality ingredients and appealing flavours stand out, giving dogs tasty snacks that also support their well-being.
Nutritional Facts: Top Ingredients in Merrick Dog Food
Merrick’s formulas begin with deboned meats like chicken, beef, salmon, lamb, duck, or rabbit. Grain-free varieties use sweet potatoes and peas for energy, while Healthy Grains recipes include brown rice, quinoa, and barley. Ingredients like carrots, blueberries, pumpkin, and apples add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Healthy fats from salmon oil, flaxseed, and chicken fat help maintain skin and coat health. Many recipes also feature taurine for heart support, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint care, chelated minerals, and probiotics for digestion.
Merrick Dog Food: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real deboned meat as the first ingredient
- Wide variety of grain-free, healthy grain, and limited ingredient diets
- Inclusion of whole fruits and vegetables
- Specialized recipes for puppies, seniors, and small breeds
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Added supplements for joint, skin, and coat health
Cons
- Higher price point than some other brands
- Contains common proteins like chicken or beef that may not suit dogs with sensitivities
- Includes meals such as chicken meal or turkey meal, which some owners avoid
- Grain-free recipes may contain legumes, which some owners are cautious about
- Past recall history may concern certain pet owners
Buying Tips for Merrick Dog Food
When choosing Merrick’s recipes, consider your dog’s breed, size, age, and energy level. Small breeds may do well on Lil’ Plates, while active or large dogs might benefit from Backcountry Raw Infused.
Puppies thrive on Merrick puppy food, and dogs with sensitivities can do better with the Limited Ingredient Diet. If your dog needs a grain-free option, Merrick grain-free dog food can be a good fit. Senior dogs often benefit from recipes with glucosamine and chondroitin, while taurine-rich formulas support heart function. Always transition slowly to prevent digestive issues, and check with your veterinarian to match the formula to your pet’s needs.
Conclusion
Merrick’s lineup offers something for nearly every canine diet requirement—from grain-free formulas to wholesome grain blends, limited ingredient diets, and life-stage-specific meals. Whether it’s Merrick grain-free dog food for sensitive pets, Merrick dog food for puppies to support early development, or high-protein Backcountry recipes for active dogs, the brand stays committed to quality ingredients and complete nutrition.
Many Merrick dog food reviews praise the use of real deboned meat, fresh produce, and targeted nutrients for overall wellness. Feedback from Merrick puppy food review and Merrick dog treats review
