The Merrick Pet Care Company, founded in 1988 by Garth Merrick, his wife, and their four children, is the subject of our Merrick dog food reviews.
The company was founded at their ranch in Hereford, Texas, with the primary goal of producing wholesome, nutrient-dense, top-rated dog food.
A treat called Flossie was the first thing the Merrick kitchen ever produced and released to the pet market.
When Garth distributed this treat at trade shows, pet owners were ecstatic, and it quickly became popular.
But, Garth did not stop there. He started making plans to create dog food that was high in protein, all-natural, wholesome, and of the best possible quality.
One of the natural pet food companies with the fastest current growth rates is Merrick.
The company’s slogan, “At Merrick, we don’t just make pet food, we make the best food ever,” captures Garth’s original vision.
In July 2015 Merrick was purchased by Nestle Purina. There haven’t been any changes to Merrick’s production methods as of this writing (2022).
Pet owners had initially feared that the large company would intervene and change the formula, but fortunately, that has not happened.
Your dog will love the premium ingredients, which are still made in Texas, and it will keep them as healthy as possible.
Verdict: Is Merrick Dog Food Made in the USA?
The majority of the ingredients for Merrick dog food are sourced from American farmers. However, some ingredients come from other countries. It is worth noting that zero ingredients come from China.
All of Merrick’s dog food is produced in one of their American kitchens, which are located in Hereford, Texas, or one of their other two kitchen facilities, which are located in Illinois and Texas. The majority of their ingredients come from local suppliers, but a few are purchased from foreign farmers. They source the majority of the beef and other real meat for their recipes from Texas-based local farmers.
Merrick must use cryptic messaging on their dog food packaging, such as “Safely USA Cooked” and “Cooked in our own kitchen with the world’s best ingredients,” because some of their ingredients are sourced internationally. These are red flags that some ingredients are imported from abroad.
We are encouraged by Purina’s decision to stick with American manufacturing even though we are slightly disappointed that not all of Merrick’s ingredients are sourced in the country (which is difficult to do in the dog food industry).
Castor & Pollux dog food is also owned by Merrick (and subsequently Purina). The group created recipes that emphasized real fruits and vegetables like peas, carrots, and bananas as well as non-poultry proteins like salmon and duck. This resulted in the production of healthy, delicious dog food that would give dogs the best chance at happiness and health. They still use those recipes today and produce with a similar footprint as Merrick.
Popular American Made Merrick Dog Food
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FAQ
What dog foods have ingredients from China?
These Commercial Dog Foods Are Made In China. Manufacturers Include NestléPurina Pro Plan Purina ONE Purina Veterinary DietsYesTriumph Pet Industries Inc.Evolve Hi-Tor NeoTriumphYesWellpet LLCEagle Pack Holistic SelectWellnessYes. Label Names Include Manufacturers From China.
Who manufactures Merricks dog food?
In 2015, Merrick was purchased by Nestle Purina PetCare Co. In a previous article about the acquisition, Merrick Pet Foods’ founder Garth Merrick stated, “I believe Nestlé Purina is the right company to take what I, along with others, have built to the next level.”
What dog food is not made in China?
- Ollie. Best Fresh US-Made Dog Food. …
- Nom Nom. Best US-Made and US-Sourced Dog Food. …
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection. Best US-Made Kibble. …
- Nutro Natural Choice. …
- Wellness Natural Pet Food. …
- Purina Pro Plan. …
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Wet Food. …
- Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties.
Where does Merrick get their ingredients?
According to Merrick, their duck and rabbit are sourced in France, their lamb and venison are from New Zealand, and their vitamins and minerals premix are sourced from Germany and Canada. The rest of the ingredients in their recipes are all purchased in the United States, and none of them are imported. more.