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Merrick vs. Pure Balance
In this comparison article for Merrick vs Pure Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Pure Balance, 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 Pure Balance 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 Pure Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance 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. Pure Balance Dog Food
| Dry Dog Food | Merrick | Pure Balance |
| Crude Protein | 35.9% | 29.2% |
| Crude Fat | 17.2% | 16.7% |
| Crude Fiber | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| Wet/Canned Dog Food | Merrick | Pure Balance |
| Crude Protein | 43.9% | 34.6% |
| Crude Fat | 21.1% | 24.6% |
| Crude Fiber | 8.3% | 7.2% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Our analysis shows that Merrick guarantees 6.66% more protein than Pure Balance dry dog food recipes. In addition, Merrick wet dog foods also provide more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.
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.
Pure Balance and Merrick both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Pure Balance typically provides a little more fat (about 3.53% more).
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Pure Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Merrick Cat Food vs. Pure Balance Cat Food
| Dry Cat Food | Merrick | Pure Balance |
| Crude Protein | 40.5% | 39.9% |
| Crude Fat | 15.7% | 17.7% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.1% | 5.9% |
| Wet/Canned Cat Food | Merrick | Pure Balance |
| Crude Protein | 46.9% | 42.0% |
| Crude Fat | 21.3% | 25.4% |
| Crude Fiber | 6.0% | 7.2% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, Merrick provides more protein (about 4.89% 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 Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance provides more fat (about 4.18% more).
Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Merrick and Pure Balance 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 Pure Balance.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Merrick and Pure Balance both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Pure Balance?
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, Pure Balance has never been recalled.
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 Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
| Product | Merrick | Pure Balance |
| Dry Dog Food | 53 Recipes | 7 Recipes |
| Wet Dog Food | 58 Recipes | 15 Recipes |
| Dog Treats | 35 Treats | None |
| Dry Cat Food | 18 Recipes | 5 Recipes |
| Wet Cat Food | 50 Recipes | 4 Recipes |
| Cat Treats | None | 3 Treats |
Top Rated Merrick Recipes
Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes
