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Halo vs. Merrick

In this comparison article for Halo vs Merrick, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Halo and Merrick, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Merrick vs Halo comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Halo Review Page or Merrick Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Merrick vs. Halo

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Halo Dog Food vs. Merrick Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Halo	Merrick
Crude Protein	28.1%	35.9%
Crude Fat	15.9%	17.2%
Crude Fiber	5.8%	4.2%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Halo	Merrick
Crude Protein	44.0%	43.9%
Crude Fat	30.3%	21.1%
Crude Fiber	7.9%	8.3%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Merrick and Halo. On average, Halo dry dog food recipes contain 7.72% less protein than Merrick recipes. For wet dog foods, Halo and Merrick provide roughly the same amount of protein.

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Halo provides significantly more fat (about 9.24% more).

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Halo also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Halo Cat Food vs. Merrick Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Halo	Merrick
Crude Protein	35.4%	40.5%
Crude Fat	16.3%	15.7%
Crude Fiber	5.6%	5.1%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Halo	Merrick
Crude Protein	49.2%	46.9%
Crude Fat	31.6%	21.3%
Crude Fiber	6.8%	6.0%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

Halo dry recipes contain 5.12% less protein than Merrick dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Merrick and Halo. For wet cat foods, Halo typically provides a little more protein (about 2.24% more).

Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

As you can see, Merrick and Halo guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, Halo provides significantly more fat (about 10.34% more).

Merrick and Halo both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Halo and Merrick also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Halo Pet Food Ingredients vs. Merrick Pet Food Ingredients

Halo and Merrick both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Canola Oil

Pea Protein

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Halo.

Soybean Protein Concentrate

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Merrick.

Garlic

Caramel Color

Meaty Femur Bone

Powdered Cellulose

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Merrick.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Halo & Merrick?

Halo has been recalled once.

Oct. 26, 2015: Mold

Merrick has been recalled 6 times.

Jan. 28, 2011: Salmonella
Aug. 8, 2011: Salmonella
July 2, 2010: Salmonella
Aug. 3, 2010: Salmonella
Aug. 13, 2010: Salmonella
May 23, 2018: elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog Food	Halo	Merrick
Per Pound	$4.23	$6.15
Per Calorie	$0.0026	$0.0036

Dry Cat Food	Halo	Merrick
Per Pound	$5.23	$4.09
Per Calorie	$0.0031	$0.0025

Wet Dog Food	Halo	Merrick
Per Pound	$5.46	$5.97
Per Calorie	$0.0107	$0.0126

Wet Cat Food	Halo	Merrick
Per Pound	$7.46	$7.55
Per Calorie	$0.0149	$0.0168

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Halo or Merrick, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Halo or Merrick will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Halo and Merrick. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.

Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Halo Pet Foods

You can purchase Halo pet foods from the following stores:

44 Recipes In-Stock Today

24 Recipes In-Stock Today

45 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Merrick Pet Foods

You can purchase Merrick pet food products from these retailers:

136 Recipes In-Stock Today

107 Recipes In-Stock Today

103 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	Halo	Merrick
Dry Dog Food	15 Recipes	53 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	14 Recipes	58 Recipes
Dog Treats	5 Treats	35 Treats
Dry Cat Food	11 Recipes	18 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	23 Recipes	50 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	None