If you have been sifting through cat food brand options, Merrick has surely caught your eye. These bags of cat food have sparked many cat owners’ curiosity. Sure, it looks good in theory, but is Merrick the right cat food choice for your feline-friendly household? We took the liberty of looking into all-things-Merrick and there are some changes regarding this brand that any cat owner should be aware of. Overall, we really think this food is quality, but there has been some talk about a downgrade in the nutritional value of the products since being bought by Purina. Let’s get to know the brand and why we rated it the way we did.
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“Merrick Pet Care Company Background.” Merrick. March 2014. https://www.merrickpetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Merrick_Company_Backgrounder_March2014.pdf.
Brown, Chip. “Merrick Petfoods Putting Rover in Bow-Wow Bliss.” The Odessa (Texas) American. Nov. 19, 1990. 14A.
“Merrick Pet Care Announces Purchase Agreement by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.” Merrick. July 21, 2015. https://www.merrickpetcare.com/news-room/merrick-pet-care-announces-purchase-agreement-by-nestle-purina-petcare-company/.
Bernier, Lisa. “Purina Just Announced It’s Taking Over This Popular Natural Dog Food Company.” BarkPost. 2015. https://barkpost.com/discover/purina-just-announced-its-taking-over-this-popular-organic-dog-food-company/.
“Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Announces Successful Completion of Acquisition of Merrick Pet Care Inc.” Purina News Center. Sept. 2, 2015. https://newscenter.purina.com/statements?item=29949.
Arnold, Brandy. “Customers Furious as Purina Buys Merrick Pet Care.” The Dogington Post. July 22, 2015. https://www.dogingtonpost.com/breaking-customers-furious-as-purina-buys-merrick-pet-care/.
Anderson, Brian. “Livermore Couple Sues Pet Food Firm.” Contra Costa Times. Jan. 14, 2004.
Rosynsky, Paul T. “Pet Food Express Suing Supplier.” East Bay Times. April 5, 2007. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/04/05/pet-food-express-suing-supplier/.
Nestle, Marion. Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine. University of California Press. 2008. 20. https://books.google.com/books?id=KgJvbjIHavMC&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=false.
“Questions & Answers: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Investigation Into a Possible Connection Between Diet and Canine Heart Disease.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). June 27, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and.
“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.
“Merrick Pet Care Recalls Doggie Wishbone Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Aug. 8, 2011. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm267247.pdf.
“Merrick Pet Care Recalls Jr. Texas Taffy Pet Treat Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Jan. 28, 2011. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm241476.pdf.
“Merrick Pet Care Recalls Filet Squares & Texas Hold’ems 10 oz. Bag Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Aug. 16, 2010. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm222585.pdf.
“Safety Alert: Presence of Salmonella Bacteria in Merrick Brand Pet Treats Delicatessen Style Beef Steak Patties.” Canada NewsWire. Sept. 19, 2002.
“Enforcement Report.” FDA. Jan. 29, 2003. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2003-ENF00780-M-errick-dog-food-recall.pdf.
Cause: Potential for elevated beef thyroid hormone. Announcement: Company news release dated May 23, 2018 (archived here). What was recalled: The following beef dog treats, but only the ones with “best before” dates falling between May 1, 2017 and Sept. 1, 2019 :
Castor & Pollux Good Buddy Prime Patties Real Beef Recipe, 4 oz., UPC #780872510806
Castor & Pollux Good Buddy Sausage Cuts Real Beef Recipe, 5 oz., UPC #780872510745
Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Beef Jerky, 4.5 oz., UPC #022808786160
Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Beef Sausage Cuts, 5 oz., UPC #022808786047
Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Steak Patties, 4 oz., UPC #022808786078
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA report dated Aug. 8, 2011 (archived here). What was recalled: Merrick Doggie Wishbone pet treats, UPC #2280829050, Lot #11031, best by Jan. 30, 2013.
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA report dated Jan. 28, 2011 (archived here). What was recalled: Merrick Jr. Texas Taffy pet treats, UPC #02280827077, all lot numbers up to and including 10364. No “best by” date given.
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA reports dated July 2, Aug. 3 and Aug. 16, 2010 (archived here). What was recalled: All lots of the following Merrick treats:
Merrick Beef Filet Squares, 10 oz.
Merrick Texas Hold’ems pet treats, 10 oz.
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) news release dated Sept. 19, 2002, and FDA Enforcement Report dated Jan. 29, 2003 (archived here). What was recalled: Merrick Delicatessen Style Beef Steak Patties, distributed in Canada.
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Merrick vs. Blue Buffalo
Merrick guarantees 2.95% more protein Than Blue Buffalo, according to the data. However, this difference is relatively small; it is still notable. For wet foods, both brands provide the same amount of protein.
Merrick and Blue Buffalo both have roughly the same amount of crude Fat. Blue Buffalo slightly provides more Fat for wet foods (about 3.57%).
With regards to crude fiber, both brands provide roughly the same amount.
Merrick’s cost-per-lb dry cat food is $3.63 and for wet food is $6.12. At the same time, Blue Buffalo costs-per-lb dry cat foods $3.67, and for wet food is $5.62. In our opinion, Blue Buffalo is slightly higher than Merrick.
FAQ
Are there any cat food recalls in 2022?
As previously announced, Merrick will continue to operate as an independent business, with no planned changes to its management or operations. Merrick has more than 350 employees located primarily in Texas and Illinois, and offers a wide variety of dry and wet foods, as well as treats, for both dogs and cats.
Is Merrick pet food going out of business?
⚠ Important recall information appears below.
Today, the Merrick brand is still named after him, although it has undergone a number of transformations. Merrick now has more than 125 recipes. The company manufactures wet and dry pet food and treats. In 2015, Merrick was acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.
What happened to Merrick cat food?
⚠ Important recall information appears below.
Today, the Merrick brand is still named after him, although it has undergone a number of transformations. Merrick now has more than 125 recipes. The company manufactures wet and dry pet food and treats. In 2015, Merrick was acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.
What food is being recalled right now 2022?
⚠ Important recall information appears below.
Today, the Merrick brand is still named after him, although it has undergone a number of transformations. Merrick now has more than 125 recipes. The company manufactures wet and dry pet food and treats. In 2015, Merrick was acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.