VeRUS vs. Merrick
In this comparison article for VeRUS vs Merrick, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare VeRUS 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 VeRUS comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our VeRUS Review Page or Merrick Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Merrick vs. VeRUS
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.
VeRUS Dog Food vs. Merrick Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Crude Protein | 25.6% | 35.9% |
Crude Fat | 14.4% | 17.2% |
Crude Fiber | 4.4% | 4.2% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Crude Protein | 39.2% | 43.9% |
Crude Fat | 27.4% | 21.1% |
Crude Fiber | 10.0% | 8.3% |
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.
When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry dog food, it's clear that Merrick provides significantly more protein. On average, Merrick guarantees about 10.31% more protein than VeRUS. For wet dog foods, Merrick provides more protein (about 4.73% more).
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.
According to our data, Merrick guarantees 2.74% more fat than VeRUS. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, VeRUS wet dog foods also provide more fat than Merrick wet foods.
Merrick and VeRUS both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, VeRUS and Merrick also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
VeRUS Cat Food vs. Merrick Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Crude Protein | 35.6% | 40.5% |
Crude Fat | 22.2% | 15.7% |
Crude Fiber | 3.3% | 5.1% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Crude Protein | 44.4% | 46.9% |
Crude Fat | 31.8% | 21.3% |
Crude Fiber | 5.2% | 6.0% |
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.
Our analysis shows that Merrick guarantees 4.92% more protein than VeRUS dry cat food recipes. For wet cat foods, Merrick typically provides a little more protein (about 2.51% 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.
There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of VeRUS and Merrick. On average, Merrick dry cat food recipes contain 6.48% less fat than VeRUS recipes. In addition, VeRUS wet cat foods also provide more fat than Merrick wet foods.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and VeRUS also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
VeRUS Pet Food Ingredients vs. Merrick Pet Food Ingredients
VeRUS and Merrick both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by VeRUS.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Merrick.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
VeRUS and Merrick both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Product Safety: Recall History of VeRUS & Merrick?
According to our records, VeRUS has never been recalled.
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 | VeRUS | Merrick |
Per Pound | $3.16 | $6.15 |
Per Calorie | $0.0020 | $0.0036 |
Wet Dog Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Per Pound | $4.57 | $5.97 |
Per Calorie | $0.0093 | $0.0126 |
Wet Cat Food | VeRUS | Merrick |
Per Pound | $7.26 | $7.55 |
Per Calorie | $0.0146 | $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 VeRUS 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 VeRUS 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 VeRUS and Merrick. 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 VeRUS Pet Foods
You can purchase VeRUS pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Merrick Pet Foods
You can purchase Merrick pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | VeRUS | Merrick |
Dry Dog Food | 8 Recipes | 53 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 14 Recipes | 58 Recipes |
Dog Treats | None | 35 Treats |
Dry Cat Food | 1 Recipes | 18 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 13 Recipes | 50 Recipes |
Cat Treats | None | None |