Merrick Cat Food: Honest Merrick Cat Food Reviews by Owners!

Merrick cat food is a brand synonymous with quality. Merrick is a company that prides itself on making nutritionally balanced formulas for both dogs and cats, packing each bag with all of the essential ingredients pets of all breeds and ages need to thrive.

But how healthy is it really? Can it really give cats all of the nutrients they need to live healthy and happy lives?

We’ll find out in this honest Merrick cat food review!

For this review, I will be focusing on the Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe.

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My Honest Merrick Cat Food Review

 

Name: Merrick

Website URL: www.merrickpetcare.com

Flavors Available: Chicken + Sweet Potato, Salmon + Sweet Potato, Duck + Sweet Potato, Game Bird, Pacific Catch, Real Chicken, Real Salmon, Real Turkey, and Real Tuna + Chickpeas

Formulas Available: Purrfect Bistro Grain, Indoor Adult, Indoor Senior, Healthy Kitten, Healthy Senior, Backcountry Raw Infused and Limited Ingredient Grain-Free

Sizes Available: 3 pounds, 4 pounds, 6 pounds, 7 pounds, 10 pounds, and 12 pounds

Price: Varies

Overall Rating:

 

Pros. vs. Cons.

Pros:

• Real protein used as the first ingredient
• Mostly positive cat owner reviews
• High-quality ingredients used
• Grain-free options available

Cons:

• Expensive price tag
• Too many pea ingredients

 

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude protein (min)38.00%

Crude fat (min)17.00%

Crude fiber (max)3.50%

Moisture (max)11.00%

Calcium (max)1.00%

Phosphorus (min)0.80%

Selenium (min)0.30 mg/kg

Vitamin E (min)60IU/kg

Taurine (min)0.20%

Omega-6 fatty acid* (min)3.00%

Omega-3 fatty acid* (min)0.40%

Bacillus coagulans* (min)90,000,000 cfu/lb

 

Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Tapioca, Ground Flaxseed, Phosphoric Acid, Inulin (from chicory root), Dried Whey Protein Concentrate, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Salt, Organic Dried Alfalfa Meal, Taurine, Minerals((Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins(Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Deboned Chicken

This is a high-quality protein ingredient that excludes the bones.

Chicken Meal

This is a high-quality protein ingredient that can contain as much as 300% more protein than chicken contains alone.

Turkey Meal

This is a high-quality protein ingredient that can contain as much as 300% more protein than turkey contains by itself.

Sweet Potatoes

This low-fat ingredient is typically found in many holistic pet food pets. It is a source of dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. It can help promote healthy digestion.

Peas 

This ingredient is a plant-based source of carbohydrates, fiber, Vitamin K, additional protein, and Manganese.

Potatoes

This low-calorie and the digestible ingredient is a source of essential B Vitamins, Potassium, and Vitamin C.

Pea Protein

Just as the name implies, this ingredient is a source of plant-based protein. However, it is typically only used as a means to inflate the protein content on the label.

Chicken Fat

This is a high-quality fat source that is a source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Dried Egg Product

This ingredient is used as a source of additional protein. It is obtained from eggs taken from an egg hatchery and dried prior to use.

Potato Protein

This ingredient is a rich source of protein. However, it is typically only used to inflate the protein content on the label.

Natural Flavor

This ingredient is typically used as a flavor enhancer.

Tapioca

This starchy ingredient is used as a source of carbohydrates. However, it has little to no nutritional value and is seen as nothing more than a low-grade filler.

Ground Flaxseed

This ingredient is used as a source of dietary fiber.

Phosphoric Acid

This is a colorless liquid ingredient that is primarily used as a flavor enhancer and food acidifier.

Inulin

This ingredient is used to boost the sweetness of this kibble as well as used as a natural prebiotic to help support healthy digestion.

Dried Whey Protein Concentrate

This ingredient is used in this food to help promote muscle protein synthesis and as a means to boost the protein content on the label.

Salmon Oil

This ingredient is used as a natural source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Choline Chloride

This ingredient is used as a Vitamin B supplement.

Salt

This ingredient is used to help regulate the normal function of the body’s cells.

Organic Dried Alfalfa Meal

This ingredient is used as a source of additional protein and dietary fiber, which can help aid in digestion.

Taurine

This ingredient is considered an essential amino acid used to help keep the cardiac muscle to function properly.

 

Merrick Cat Food Recall

Merrick cat food has suffered a few recalls in 2010 and 2011, but for their treats. However, ever since the company built its own manufacturing plant, they have yet to have any recalls on their products.

 

Flavors, Sizes, and Price

Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe

This formula by Merrick features 100% real deboned chicken as the first ingredient. It is made using only grain-free ingredients, using no ingredients that contain gluten, and is free from artificial colors or preservatives.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds, 7 pounds, and 12 pounds

 

Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Salmon + Sweet Potato

If you are looking for a grain-free formula that will satisfy any picky cat, then look no further. It is made using real deboned salmon as the first ingredient and is rich in essential omega fatty acids to support a shiny coat.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds, 7 pounds, and 12 pounds

 

Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Indoor Adult Chicken + Sweet Potato

This is a grain-free recipe that is perfectly formulated for healthy adult cats to help them maintain a healthy weight while living an indoor lifestyle. It is rich in natural antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds, 7 pounds, and 12 pounds

 

Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Grain-Free Sensitive Stomach Chicken + Sweet Potato

Just as the name implies, this formula is made with all of the ingredients adult cats need for optimal health. It is made using the healthiest grain-free ingredients to support a healthy body.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds, 7 pounds, and 12 pounds

 

Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Complete Care Weight Control

Just as the name of this formula states, this line is meant to help obese or overweight cats lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. It is made with 100% real deboned chicken and low calories to help cats maintain a healthy metabolism.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds and 7 pounds

 

Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Recipe

This formula by Merrick is perfect for growing kittens. It is fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and natural antioxidants to help kittens up to 12 months of age grow into robust adults.

Sizes Available: 4 pounds and 7 pounds

 

Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free + Potato Free

This formula by Merrick is made with single-source animal proteins to help cats who suffer from food sensitivities or food allergies. It is a grain-free recipe made without the use of potatoes or fish.

Flavors Available: Chicken, Salmon, Tuna, and Turkey

Sizes Available: 4 pounds, 7 pounds, and 12 pounds

 

Backcountry Raw Infused

If you want to give your cat a dry kibble formula specially formulated with the power of raw, then look no further. It is made with freeze-dried pieces of real raw food and packed with a delicious flavor any cat will love.

Flavors Available: Game Bird, Seafood, and Pacific Catch

Formulas Available: Adult and Kitten

Sizes Available: 3 pounds, 6 pounds, and 10 pounds

 

Merrick Cat Food Reviews by Cat Owners

Most of the Merrick cat food reviews you will find by other cat owners tend to be mostly positive. Let’s take a closer look at what some of these owners have been saying about this food.

“Excellent quality food. I have been feeding this food to my cats for some time now and they all love it! I highly recommend it!” -J. McGinley, February 27th

“This is my baby’s favorite food. My cat developed kidney failure and had to be fed a special diet. He was pretty excited about eating this food. I give it two paws up!” -Melody AF, September 30th

“I bought this product because of its healthy ingredients and the positive reputation the company has. My cats love the flavor.” -Sharon O. Wood, January 7th

“I am very impressed with this food. I have an older male cat that has a ton of food problems so it was very difficult to find him food that wouldn’t upset his stomach. After feeding him this food for a while, he is doing better than he ever has. He has more energy and is losing weight. Couldn’t be happier with this brand.” -Lili’s Mom, February 3rd

“This food has a nice ingredient list. All three of my cats love it. They all tolerate it well.” -E.M.B., May 27th

 

Merrick Cat Food: The Bottomline

After taking a closer look at Merrick cat food by studying its ingredients, looking at honest reviews from other cat owners, and looking at what formulas it has available, this is without a doubt a brand I have no problem recommending. My only issue with this food is that not only does it use a few too many pea ingredients to be truly beneficial, but it has a hefty price tag that may be out of reach for many cat owners. However, if you have the funds to buy this food regularly and want to start your cat on a healthy grain-free diet, look no further than this brand.

Final Verdict:

Recommended

 

Have you fed your cat Merrick cat food? If so, what was your experience with the brand? Let me know in the comments section below.