If you’re on the lookout for an organic cat food option, Merrick cat food is a good place to start. Since its inception, the company has been dedicated to producing pet food under the strictest regulations, using only the highest-quality, natural ingredients.
Merrick’s effort paid off as they have become the only line of organic wet and dry pet foods certified by the USDA National Organic Program. In addition to dog food, this company produces a wide range of cat food, suitable for various nutritional requirements.
Who is Merrick Cat Food?
The Merrick pet food story began in 1988 when Garth Merrick started making dog treats at his home in Texas. As the treats grew in popularity he founded Merrick Pet Care with his wife.
Demand for the treats grew quickly and so did the company. Merrick soon expanded their field of work to both dog and cat food. In 2015, Merrick Pet Care was purchased by Nestle.
Today, the Merrick pet food brand has over 125 recipes and a wide network of loyal customers.
Our top six picks from the Merrick cat food line
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Dry Cat Food
- Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Dry Food
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Weight Control Dry Food
- Merrick Limited Ingredient Grain Free and Potato Free Dry Food
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Seafood Variety Canned Cat Food
- Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Food
1. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Dry Cat Food
Purrfect Bistro recipes are grain-free, highly digestible, and rich in protein. Real deboned chicken is the primary ingredient, and there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The formula contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which help maintain healthy skin and fur. Also, the kibble is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber to prevent hairball issues.
In addition to chicken and sweet potato, there’s a salmon flavor available. This dry cat food is made in the USA. It’s suitable for adult indoor and outdoor cats.
Pros
- Grain-free
- High in protein
- Made of real deboned chicken
- Formulated with fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Kibble crumbles easily
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2. Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Dry Food
This cat food combines the nutritional benefits of a raw diet with the convenience of a kibble. It’s made with real deboned chicken and duck and it contains freeze-dried raw poultry pieces to preserve fresh taste.
The formula is free of grains and gluten to reduce the risk of digestive issues. It’s rich in Omega acids to make sure your feline friend has soft and shiny skin and fur.
The kibble varies in shape and size, some are small and round, while the freeze-dried pieces are larger, cube-shaped, and they break easily. When it comes to caloric intake, there are 395 calories per cup.
Pros
- Kibble infused with freeze-dried poultry pieces
- Made with deboned chicken and duck meat
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Rich in Omega acids
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Freeze-dried pieces crumble easily
- Dry chunks can be too large for kittens
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3. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Weight Control Dry Food
Purrfect Bistro weight control recipe contains probiotics for healthy digestion and it’s made of real deboned chicken. This natural dry cat food is made without grains, artificial ingredients, or poultry by-product meals.
The low-calorie kibble contains L-Carnitine, which helps cats turn fat into energy and supports a healthy metabolism. It contains antioxidants and fatty acids to boost your cat’s immune system and skin health.
This food is suitable for indoor and outdoor adult cats.
Pros
- Formulated with probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids
- Made of real deboned chicken
- Contains L-Carnitine for a healthy metabolism
- No grains, poultry by-products, or artificial ingredients
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Kibble crumbles easily
- Pieces may be too small for some cats
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4. Merrick Limited Ingredient Grain Free and Potato Free Dry Food
Merrick’s Limited Ingredient diet recipes are specifically formulated to provide a nutritionally complete diet for sensitive cats. The formula contains a single source of animal protein, and it’s free of grains, gluten, eggs, or dairy.
Deboned chicken is the primary ingredient and the recipe also includes Omega fatty acids, which promote healthy and soft skin and fur. There are 354 calories per cup.
In addition to chicken, there are salmon and tuna flavors available.
Pros
- Formulated with limited ingredients
- Single source of animal protein
- Contains deboned chicken, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
- No grains, gluten, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Smaller kibble pieces crumble easily
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5. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Seafood Variety Canned Cat Food
This wet cat food comes in three flavors; salmon, tuna, and beef. It features real deboned fish or beef as the first ingredient. The formula also contains vitamins, minerals, and taurine, and it’s suitable for cats in all life stages.
All the ingredients are finely ground to create a smooth pâté. The recipe doesn’t contain grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
With this variety pack, you get 24 cans – 12 cans with salmon flavor, six cans with tuna flavor, and six cans with beef flavor.
Pros
- Variety pack of 24 cans
- Three flavors available
- Made of deboned fish or beef
- Grain-free formula with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Food may have a strong odor
- Inconsistency in texture - sometimes too liquid, other times too dry
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6. Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Food
This wet cat food contains protein-rich morsels in gravy, which adds moisture to your cat’s diet. Real deboned rabbit as the first ingredient. It is free of grains or gluten present for easier digestion.
One pouch of this food is a single serving dose and it contains 82 calories. Merrick recommends feeding three pouches per six to eight pounds of body weight per day.
This food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and taurine. There are different flavors to choose from, including chicken, duck, and turkey.
Pros
- Protein-rich morsels in gravy
- Made of deboned rabbit
- Grain-free formula without gluten
- Contains vitamins, minerals, and taurine
- Convenient pouch format
Cons
- Contains potato starch, which may be an issue for some cat owners
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Where is Merrick cat food made?
All Merrick cat food is proudly produced in Hereford, Texas, USA.
Is Merrick cat food owned by Purina?
Nestle Purina bought Merrick Pet Care in July 2015, with a promise that they maintain the integrity and quality of the Merrick brand.
What kind of cat foods does Merrick offer?
Merrick offers diverse types of cat food, including dry kibble, wet canned food, freeze-dried mixers, and treats. They are classified under three product lines: Purrfect Bistro, Limited Ingredient Diet, and Backcountry.
Purrfect Bistro is Merrick’s original cat food line and it has both dry and wet cat food. This line features formulas with and without grains and it was designed to target various life stages and needs of cats, including weight control and hairball prevention. It’s formulated with real meat as the first ingredient.
The Limited Ingredient line was specifically formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. It contains only a few essential ingredients and it’s free of grains, gluten, eggs, dairy, and more. This type of food features a single source of animal protein, which is either chicken or fish.
Finally, The Backcountry line includes exclusively grain-free recipes which often involve dry kibble infused with freeze-dried raw meat. This line also contains freeze-dried pieces dipped in gravy as an additional source of moisture. Types of meat include chicken, rabbit, duck, turkey, and fish.
Has Merrick Cat Food been recalled?
In September 2002, Canadian health officials warned consumers not to buy or use Merrick Delicatessen Style Beef Steak Patties due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. The warning was issued after reports that at least 5 people in Calgary got sick after handling the treats.
Merrick recalled a few hundred cases of beef patties in Canada only.
In July 2010, Merrick Pet Care recalled Beef Filet Squares for Dogs treats because they may have been contaminated with salmonella. Merrick recalled 86 cases of this treat, and no product complaints or illnesses were reported around the time of the recall.
In January 2011, Merrick announced a voluntary recall of their Junior Texas Taffy dog treats due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. No product complaints or illnesses were reported at the time.
Just a few months later, in August 2011, Merrick Pet Care recalled a single lot of Doggie Wishbone pet treats because of possible contamination with salmonella bacteria. There were no illnesses or product complaints reported around the time of the recall.
In May 2018, Merrick Pet Care voluntarily recalled a limited amount of Good Buddy and Backcountry beef dog treats due to potentially elevated levels of thyroid hormone. The reason for the recall was a single consumer complaint about a dog getting sick after eating beef treats.
Is Merrick good cat food?
Yes! Merrick offers nutritious formulas with real meat as the first ingredient, which makes them a quality source of protein for your cat. Also, their food doesn’t contain gluten and artificial ingredients, and it’s often made without grains, which aids in healthy digestion.
Merrick produces cat food with a low amount of calories and carbs. This makes it a great option for cats that struggle to maintain a healthy weight. The company also features diverse products that include dry, wet, and raw food options, so you can mix them to create a balanced diet for your feline friend.
Key takeaways on Merrick cat food
Merrick Pet Care has been around since 1988, and the company has managed to acquire a loyal customer base over the years. Despite being recalled several times due to dog food issues, Merrick remains a trustworthy cat food brand because of its commitment to producing organic recipes that are highly nutritious.
Merrick offers diverse types of cat food, including wet, dry, and freeze-dried options, so there’s something for every cat. Most importantly, their without grains, low-carb formula with real meat and no artificial ingredients makes it suitable for cats in all life stages.
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