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35% OFF
Merrick &
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Merrick &
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First Auto-Ship w/ Code: PAWDIET20
15% OFF
Merrick
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Merrick vs. Health Extension
In this comparison article for Merrick vs Health Extension, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Health Extension, 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 Health Extension vs Merrick comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Merrick Review Page or Health Extension Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Health Extension vs. Merrick
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.
Merrick Dog Food vs. Health Extension Dog Food
| Dry Dog Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Crude Protein | 35.9% | 27.6% |
| Crude Fat | 17.2% | 16.5% |
| Crude Fiber | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Wet/Canned Dog Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Crude Protein | 43.9% | 40.2% |
| Crude Fat | 21.1% | 28.0% |
| Crude Fiber | 8.3% | 6.7% |
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.
On average, Merrick dry dog food recipes contain 8.24% more protein than Health Extension recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Health Extension and Merrick. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more protein (about 3.70% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.
As you can see, Health Extension and Merrick guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Health Extension provides more fat (about 6.97% more).
Merrick and Health Extension both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Health Extension also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Merrick Cat Food vs. Health Extension Cat Food
| Dry Cat Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Crude Protein | 40.5% | 38.6% |
| Crude Fat | 15.7% | 18.3% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.1% | 6.7% |
| Wet/Canned Cat Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Crude Protein | 46.9% | 54.6% |
| Crude Fat | 21.3% | 20.3% |
| Crude Fiber | 6.0% | 6.3% |
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.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, Health Extension provides more protein (about 7.65% 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):
- Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
- Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Fats improve the taste/texture of food.
If you look at the average percentages of crude fat, you'll notice that Health Extension typically guarantees 2.59% more fat. This is a fairly small difference between Health Extension and Merrick, but still worth mentioning. For wet cat foods, Merrick and Health Extension provide roughly the same amount of fat.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Health Extension and Merrick also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Health Extension Pet Food Ingredients
Merrick and Health Extension both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Merrick.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Health Extension.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Merrick and Health Extension both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Health Extension.
Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Health Extension?
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
According to our records, Health Extension has never been recalled.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
| Dry Dog Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Per Pound | $6.15 | $2.99 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0036 | $0.0018 |
| Dry Cat Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Per Pound | $4.09 | $2.74 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0025 | $0.0016 |
| Wet Dog Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Per Pound | $5.97 | $3.61 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0126 | $0.0084 |
| Wet Cat Food | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Per Pound | $7.55 | $6.66 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0168 | $0.0138 |
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 Merrick or Health Extension, 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 Merrick or Health Extension will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Merrick and Health Extension. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- 20% Off First Auto-Ship @ PetFlow (Use Code PAWDIET20)
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- 15% Off The Entire Site @ OnlyNaturalPet (Use Code AFPAWDIET)
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 Merrick Pet Foods
You can purchase Merrick pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Health Extension Pet Foods
You can purchase Health Extension pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
| Product | Merrick | Health Extension |
| Dry Dog Food | 53 Recipes | 15 Recipes |
| Wet Dog Food | 58 Recipes | 15 Recipes |
| Dog Treats | 35 Treats | 19 Treats |
| Dry Cat Food | 18 Recipes | 2 Recipes |
| Wet Cat Food | 50 Recipes | 13 Recipes |
| Cat Treats | None | 2 Treats |
Top Rated Merrick Recipes
Top Rated Health Extension Recipes
