Merrick vs. Purina Beyond
In this comparison article for Merrick vs Purina Beyond, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Purina Beyond, 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 Purina Beyond 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 Purina Beyond Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Purina Beyond 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. Purina Beyond Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Crude Protein | 35.9% | 31.2% |
Crude Fat | 17.2% | 18.1% |
Crude Fiber | 4.2% | 5.0% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Crude Protein | 43.9% | 38.0% |
Crude Fat | 21.1% | 26.3% |
Crude Fiber | 8.3% | 7.0% |
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.
The table shows that Purina Beyond provides far less protein than Merrick. The difference in protein content is roughly 4.66%. In addition, Merrick wet dog foods also provide more protein than Purina Beyond wet foods.
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, Merrick and Purina Beyond guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Purina Beyond provides more fat (about 5.19% more).
Merrick and Purina Beyond both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Purina Beyond also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Merrick Cat Food vs. Purina Beyond Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Crude Protein | 40.5% | 40.2% |
Crude Fat | 15.7% | 16.6% |
Crude Fiber | 5.1% | 4.8% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Crude Protein | 46.9% | 45.6% |
Crude Fat | 21.3% | 19.5% |
Crude Fiber | 6.0% | 6.5% |
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. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and Purina Beyond also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
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.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and Purina Beyond also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.
Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Purina Beyond Pet Food Ingredients
Merrick and Purina Beyond 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 Purina Beyond.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Merrick and Purina Beyond both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Purina Beyond?
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, Purina Beyond has never been recalled.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Per Pound | $6.15 | $4.20 |
Per Calorie | $0.0036 | $0.0025 |
Dry Cat Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Per Pound | $4.09 | $3.75 |
Per Calorie | $0.0025 | $0.0023 |
Wet Dog Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Per Pound | $5.97 | $3.56 |
Per Calorie | $0.0126 | $0.0069 |
Wet Cat Food | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Per Pound | $7.55 | $7.82 |
Per Calorie | $0.0168 | $0.0173 |
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 Purina Beyond, 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 Purina Beyond 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 Purina Beyond. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
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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 Purina Beyond Pet Foods
You can purchase Purina Beyond pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | Merrick | Purina Beyond |
Dry Dog Food | 53 Recipes | 13 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 58 Recipes | 21 Recipes |
Dog Treats | 35 Treats | 3 Treats |
Dry Cat Food | 18 Recipes | 10 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 50 Recipes | 31 Recipes |
Cat Treats | None | 2 Treats |