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Merrick vs Wellness

Merrick vs. Wellness

In this comparison article for Merrick vs Wellness, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Wellness, 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 Wellness 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 Wellness Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Wellness 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. Wellness Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodMerrickWellness
Crude Protein35.9%34.6%
Crude Fat17.2%15.8%
Crude Fiber4.2%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodMerrickWellness
Crude Protein43.9%41.8%
Crude Fat21.1%24.1%
Crude Fiber8.3%4.9%

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.

As you can see, Wellness and Merrick guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more protein (about 2.09% 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.

Wellness and Merrick both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Wellness typically provides a little more fat (about 3.01% more).


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.46% more).

Merrick Cat Food vs. Wellness Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodMerrickWellness
Crude Protein40.5%42.0%
Crude Fat15.7%16.0%
Crude Fiber5.1%4.7%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodMerrickWellness
Crude Protein46.9%45.0%
Crude Fat21.3%24.7%
Crude Fiber6.0%5.6%

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.

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and Wellness 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.

Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Wellness Pet Food Ingredients

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

Garlic
Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Caramel Color
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

Meaty Femur Bone
Powdered Cellulose

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

Brewers Rice
Garlic Powder
Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace

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

Merrick and Wellness both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

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

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Wellness?

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

Wellness has been recalled 5 times.

  • March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
  • Feb. 10, 2017: foreign material
  • Oct. 30, 2012: High Moisture
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • Feb. 28, 2011: Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodMerrickWellness
Per Pound$6.15$3.61
Per Calorie$0.0036$0.0022
Dry Cat FoodMerrickWellness
Per Pound$4.09$3.90
Per Calorie$0.0025$0.0023
Wet Dog FoodMerrickWellness
Per Pound$5.97$6.74
Per Calorie$0.0126$0.0140
Wet Cat FoodMerrickWellness
Per Pound$7.55$9.09
Per Calorie$0.0168$0.0223

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 Wellness, 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 Wellness 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 Wellness. 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 Merrick Pet Foods

You can purchase Merrick pet foods from the following stores:


136 Recipes In-Stock Today

107 Recipes In-Stock Today

103 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Wellness Pet Foods

You can purchase Wellness pet food products from these retailers:


213 Recipes In-Stock Today

166 Recipes In-Stock Today

172 Recipes In-Stock Today

21 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductMerrickWellness
Dry Dog Food53 Recipes59 Recipes
Wet Dog Food58 Recipes53 Recipes
Dog Treats35 Treats25 Treats
Dry Cat Food18 Recipes19 Recipes
Wet Cat Food50 Recipes74 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone5 Treats

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