Has Merrick dog food changed?

A look at Merrick dog food reviews, ingredients and recall history written beside a yellow labrador carrying a stick© Depositphotos.com / Manushot

Could you name the dog food companies that stand out from the competition in terms of quality, variety, and consistency if I gave you five seconds to make a guess?

You want the best for your canine companion because you’re a responsible dog owner, which means you should educate yourself on the foods they consume!

Make sure the food is high-quality and will provide your dog with the right nutrition if you intend to feed it to him twice a day for years on end. However, comparing information from various sources to decide whether a food is suitable for your dog can be overwhelming.

This Merrick dog food review will provide you with all the information you require regarding the manufacturer, ingredients, past recalls, and more. After that, it will be up to you to decide if it’s the best course of action for your dog.

Have You Had a Problem With Merrick Pet Food?

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  • Leave a comment below to share your experience with others.
  • “Our Story.” Merrick. https://www.merrickpetcare.com/our-story.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Company Background.” Merrick. March 2014. https://www.merrickpetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Merrick_Company_Backgrounder_March2014.pdf.
  • Brown, Chip. “Merrick Petfoods Putting Rover in Bow-Wow Bliss.” The Odessa (Texas) American. Nov. 19, 1990. 14A.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Announces Purchase Agreement by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.” Merrick. July 21, 2015. https://www.merrickpetcare.com/news-room/merrick-pet-care-announces-purchase-agreement-by-nestle-purina-petcare-company/.
  • Bernier, Lisa. “Purina Just Announced It’s Taking Over This Popular Natural Dog Food Company.” BarkPost. 2015. https://barkpost.com/discover/purina-just-announced-its-taking-over-this-popular-organic-dog-food-company/.
  • “Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Announces Successful Completion of Acquisition of Merrick Pet Care Inc.” Purina News Center. Sept. 2, 2015. https://newscenter.purina.com/statements?item=29949.
  • Arnold, Brandy. “Customers Furious as Purina Buys Merrick Pet Care.” The Dogington Post. July 22, 2015. https://www.dogingtonpost.com/breaking-customers-furious-as-purina-buys-merrick-pet-care/.
  • Anderson, Brian. “Livermore Couple Sues Pet Food Firm.” Contra Costa Times. Jan. 14, 2004.
  • Rosynsky, Paul T. “Pet Food Express Suing Supplier.” East Bay Times. April 5, 2007. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2007/04/05/pet-food-express-suing-supplier/.
  • Nestle, Marion. Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine. University of California Press. 2008. 20. https://books.google.com/books?id=KgJvbjIHavMC&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=false.
  • “Questions & Answers: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Investigation Into a Possible Connection Between Diet and Canine Heart Disease.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). June 27, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Voluntarily Recalls Limited Amount of Good Buddy and Backcountry Treats Containing Beef Due to Potentially Elevated Levels of Thyroid Hormone.” Merrick. May 23, 2018. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Merrick-Treat-Recall-Press-Release-5.23.18-Final.pdf.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Recalls Doggie Wishbone Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Aug. 8, 2011. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm267247.pdf.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Recalls Jr. Texas Taffy Pet Treat Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Jan. 28, 2011. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm241476.pdf.
  • “Merrick Pet Care Recalls Filet Squares & Texas Hold’ems 10 oz. Bag Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk.” FDA. Aug. 16, 2010. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm222585.pdf.
  • “Safety Alert: Presence of Salmonella Bacteria in Merrick Brand Pet Treats Delicatessen Style Beef Steak Patties.” Canada NewsWire. Sept. 19, 2002.
  • “Enforcement Report.” FDA. Jan. 29, 2003. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2003-ENF00780-M-errick-dog-food-recall.pdf.
  • Williamson, Kerry. “Dog Treat Warning Issued.” Calgary Herald. Oct. 10, 2002.
  • At a Glance: The Best Merrick Dog Food Recipes:

    Rating Product Details
    Our Favorite Winner Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
  • Grain- and gluten-free
  • High protein levels
  • Good amount of fat
  • Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight
  • Good amount of fat
  • Includes superfoods like blueberries and flaxseed
  • Broad nutritional profile
  • Merrick Backcountry Grain Free
  • Has chunks of raw freeze-dried meat
  • Good way to transition into feeding a raw diet
  • Lots of protein, vitamins and minerals
  • Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed
  • Formulated with prebiotic and probiotic fiber to aid in digestion
  • No corn, grain or soy
  • Helps reduce plaque and keep teeth clean
  • Merrick Limited Ingredient with Vitamins & Minerals
  • Specially formulated for sensitive stomachs
  • Features real deboned lamb as the very first ingredient
  • Does not contain any gluten, soy, corn, wheat, dairy or eggs
  • Which Types of Dogs is Merrick Dog Food Best Suited For?

    A premium dog food brand called Merrick uses as many organic ingredients as possible. Each dish contains a lot of protein from a combination of plant and animal sources.

    As a result, most dogs should do well on it. It’s especially good for active pups.

    However, because it relies on high-quality ingredients, it is an expensive food that some owners might find difficult to justify giving to their dogs.

    FAQ

    Is Merrick dog food recall?

    Certain Castor & Pollux and Merrick Backcountry dog treats have been voluntarily recalled by Merrick Pet Care after one of the products was found to contain excessive levels of beef thyroid hormone. Due to a consumer complaint made to the US Food and Drug Administration, the issue was identified.

    Is Merrick dog food discontinued?

    In 1988, Merrick began as a privately held dog food manufacturer. Garth Merrick established it in Hereford, Texas, where food is still produced today.

    Who bought out Merrick dog food?

    And Purina bought out Merrick. I’ve done a lot of research on pet food brands because I have a cat and a dog.

    Does Merrick dog food use ingredients from China?

    Our entire food supply is made and manufactured in the US. In one of our three facilities in Hereford, Texas, the majority of our dry and wet recipes are lovingly created. Hereford’s production facilities are Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certified.