Does Merrick Dog Food Use Ingredients from China? The Truth Revealed

As a pet parent who’s been through the dog food aisle confusion more times than I can count, I totally get why you’re wondering about Merrick’s ingredients. With all the scary pet food recalls and concerning stories about foreign ingredients over the years, it’s natural to worry about what’s actually going into your furry friend’s bowl

Let me share what I’ve discovered about Merrick dog food and their ingredient sourcing practices – particularly regarding China, which has been a hot-button issue in the pet food industry.

The Short Answer: Merrick Keeps China Out

No Merrick dog food does not use ingredients from China. The company is quite proud of this fact and explicitly states that zero ingredients in their products come from China.

But there’s more to the story that you should know…

Merrick’s Manufacturing and Sourcing: The Full Picture

Merrick Pet Care has been around since 1988, founded by Gareth Merrick who initially wanted to create healthy dog treats. Over time they developed real meat recipes and now offer extensive lines of wet and dry dog foods.

Here’s what you should know about their production:

• American-Made: All Merrick dog food is manufactured in one of their American kitchens, primarily in Hereford, Texas, with additional facilities in Texas and Illinois
• Local Sourcing Priority: Most of Merrick’s ingredients are sourced locally from American farmers
• Real Texas Meat: The bulk of the beef and other real meats used in their recipes comes from local Texas farmers
• No Chinese Ingredients: Zero ingredients are sourced from China – a policy they’re quite vocal about

This is a big selling point for many pet parents, especially those who remember the devastating 2007 melamine pet food scandal when Chinese-sourced ingredients caused kidney failure and deaths in thousands of pets across North America.

The Ownership Question: Does Purina’s Purchase Matter?

In 2015, Nestle Purina PetCare Company acquired Merrick Pet Care. This raised some eyebrows among loyal customers who wondered if this would change Merrick’s sourcing practices.

So far, it appears Purina has maintained Merrick’s commitment to keeping Chinese ingredients out of their formulas. According to my research, Merrick continues to operate somewhat independently with their original manufacturing facilities and sourcing guidelines intact.

But Wait – Are All Ingredients American?

While Merrick proudly states they use zero Chinese ingredients, they do acknowledge that not all ingredients are 100% American-sourced. Their packaging uses phrases like “Safely USA Cooked” and “Cooked in our own kitchen with the world’s best ingredients” – which indicates some international sourcing.

The reality is that certain pet food ingredients are extremely difficult to source exclusively from the USA. For example, over 90% of vitamin C used in American products (including pet foods) now comes from China. Many essential vitamins and minerals used in pet foods are predominantly manufactured overseas.

This puts companies like Merrick in a tough spot – they can avoid Chinese ingredients, but may need to source certain components from other international locations to maintain their product quality and nutritional standards.

The Challenge of Truly China-Free Pet Food

Let’s be real for a second. The global supply chain for pet food ingredients is incredibly complex. As noted by the Dog Food Advisor:

• China manufactures approximately 70% of the world’s penicillin
• 50% of the global aspirin supply
• 35% of acetaminophen (generic Tylenol)
• The bulk of the world’s vitamins A, B12, C and E

For many essential nutrients in pet food, American manufacturers simply don’t exist anymore or can’t meet demand. This makes the goal of 100% domestic ingredients challenging for ANY pet food company.

Popular Merrick Products and Their Sourcing

Here’s a breakdown of some popular Merrick dog food lines and their sourcing status:

One of their most popular products, Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe, follows this same manufacturing and sourcing pattern.

Why It’s Hard to Find Truly “China-Free” Pet Food

The reality that many pet parents don’t realize is that current country of origin labeling laws are weak or non-existent when it comes to pet food ingredients.

For a product to be labeled “Made in the USA,” regulations only require that the product be “all or virtually all” made in that country. The laws don’t mandate identifying the sources of individual components used to make the product.

Additionally, there’s no requirement to inform consumers if an ingredient’s country of origin changes from one production batch to the next. This means that even when a manufacturer claims their products are “100% China Free” or “Made in the USA,” there’s no legal guarantee that the next batch won’t contain ingredients from different sources.

That’s why I’m always a bit skeptical when I see absolute claims about ingredient sourcing in pet foods – the global supply chain is just too complex and ever-changing.

Should You Trust Merrick’s “No Chinese Ingredients” Claim?

Based on all available evidence, Merrick appears to be truthful in their claim about avoiding Chinese ingredients. They’ve made this a cornerstone of their brand identity, and there’s no evidence suggesting they’ve violated this policy.

However, it’s important to understand the limitations:

1. “No Chinese ingredients” doesn’t mean “100% American ingredients”
2. Some ingredients may come from other international sources
3. Supply chains can change, and future batches could potentially have different sourcing
4. Ownership by Purina could potentially influence future sourcing decisions

What Makes Merrick a Good Choice Despite These Limitations

Even with the complex reality of global ingredient sourcing, Merrick still offers several compelling benefits:

• Certified organic manufacturing facility: They adhere to industry-approved methods
• Real meat as the first ingredient: Their recipes prioritize quality protein sources
• Balanced nutrition: Their formulas are designed with canine health in mind
• Variety of options: They offer solutions for different dietary needs and preferences
• Transparency about sourcing: They’re upfront about their “no China” policy

Alternatives If You’re Still Concerned

If you’re still worried about international ingredients in your dog’s food, consider these alternatives that prioritize American-sourced ingredients:

1. Research small-batch, locally-produced pet foods in your area
2. Look into fresh dog food delivery services that emphasize domestic sourcing
3. Consider making homemade dog food (with veterinary guidance to ensure proper nutrition)

The Bottom Line: Is Merrick a Good Choice?

In my opinion, Merrick represents a reasonable compromise in today’s complex pet food landscape. They maintain high quality standards while being transparent about their “no China” policy, even though some ingredients may come from other international sources.

While no commercial pet food can realistically guarantee 100% American-sourced ingredients for every component, Merrick’s commitment to avoiding Chinese ingredients and manufacturing all products in their American facilities puts them ahead of many competitors in terms of sourcing transparency.

The truth is, finding pet food with zero international ingredients is nearly impossible in today’s global economy. What matters more is finding companies that are transparent about their sourcing and maintain strict quality control standards regardless of where ingredients originate.

For many pet parents, Merrick’s balance of quality, nutrition, and their commitment to avoiding Chinese ingredients makes them a solid choice for their four-legged family members.

What do you think? Have you tried Merrick dog food? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have about pet food sourcing!