Dog Food Advisor generally considers Merrick to be a good quality brand with healthy ingredients that will suit the majority of dogs. They’ve rated the Classic range 4.5 stars out of 5, the Grain Free range 5 stars, the Backcountry range 5 stars and the Limited Ingredient Diet range 4 stars.
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“Merrick Pet Care Voluntarily Recalls Limited Amount of Good Buddy and Backcountry Treats Containing Beef Due to Potentially Elevated Levels of Thyroid Hormone.” Merrick. May 23, 2018. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Merrick-Treat-Recall-Press-Release-5.23.18-Final.pdf.
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#4 Merrick Classic Real Beef + Green Peas Recipe with Ancient Grains
This recipe from Merrick Classic is a good choice for high-energy medium or large, muscular dogs who are typically active. I’m thinking Boxers, Huskies, and Pitbulls, for example, who all do well on a diet of about 30% protein and 15% fat.
This food contains brown rice and barley, which are very good-quality sources of carbs. However, this food will not be suitable for dogs with grain allergies.
Merrick includes high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin in this recipe, too, (1,200mg/kg), making it a great choice for dogs already suffering from joint conditions such as hip dysplasia or arthritis.
Wouldn’t use merrick dog food!!!
Merrick Dog Food started in Hereford, Texas, in 1988, when the founder, Garth Merrick, began making home-cooked meals for his dog. He quickly found he had a knack for making healthy, nutritious foods pets loved, and his operation expanded from making single meals in his home kitchen to mass-producing food for dogs all over the world.
The company still uses fresh ingredients wherever possible, and gives back to animals by partnering with animal shelters and other charities. Their food isn’t cheap, but it’s created for owners who are willing to spend a bit more to give their dogs a healthy meal.
We’re big fans of Merrick, as their foods tend to be high in protein without also having problematic ingredients like grains. There’s just one issue we have with most of their foods that hold us back from recommending their foods as much as we could — read on to find out what that is.