Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Merrick is good dog and cat food. Every Merrick recipe is formulated with a purposeful blend of ingredients to provide nutrients that support overall pet health. You can find more information on product labels and on the product pages on this website.

All of Merrick's dog and cat food products are AAFCO approved with complete and balanced nutrient profiles.     

Merrick Pet Care products are formulated by an experienced team of animal nutrition experts, including PhDs, veterinarians, scientists and engineers. There is no single individual who creates our pet food. We have trained animal nutritionists focused on formulating and validating our dog and cat food formulas to ensure they deliver the complete nutrition dogs and cats need to thrive. 

Merrick dog and cat food recipes use real, high-quality protein sourced from inspected facilities, because we know that our pets thrive on quality protein and fat to support lean muscle mass. If you are interested in learning more about a specific recipe, you can find the ingredients list as well as the Guaranteed Analysis for each recipe on our product pages. 

Merrick dog food was founded by Garth Merrick in his Hereford, Texas kitchen when he started making homestyle meals for his dog, Gracie. Today, Merrick is part of the Nestlé Purina family of brands and remains dedicated to its mission of feeding pets as well as we feed ourselves. 

No, Merrick dog food is not under investigation. Pet safety is our top priority at Merrick, and you can be confident that our food has undergone rigorous safety checks before making it to your pet's bowl. 

Whole Earth Farms dog food is made by Merrick.

Merrick dog and cat food and dog treats are available nationwide at independent pet specialty stores, Petco and PetSmart, as well as select online retailers. Find where to buy Merrick pet food near you or learn more about Merrick products.

If you'd like some help deciding which Merrick food is best for your dog, please reach out to one of our Pet Parent Relations Specialists at 800-664-7387 or contact us. Since every pet is different, we always encourage you to talk with your veterinarian if you have specific concerns related to your pet’s diet.

Merrick Pet Care is updating our brand imagery to better match our core values. This update includes packaging, so don’t be concerned if your dog or cat’s food packaging looks different. Recipe names did not change, so search by recipe name in the search box at the top of this page to find the new packaging for your current food. You do not need to transition your dog or cat when you receive new packaging.

All Merrick dog and cat foods are made in USA facilities.

Merrick dog and cat food products have not been discontinued. Merrick continues to produce a variety of pet foods and treats, and we aim to keep our website updated with the latest production information. If you are no longer able to find a product on our website, please reach out to one of our Pet Parent Relations specialists at 800-664-7387, or contact us and we will work with you to find a recipe that will meet the needs of your pet.

Yes, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue Whole Earth Farms recipes after much consideration. If you’re searching for a replacement pet food that meets your high standards, check out our Merrick Pet Food Finder for help finding a new food. Please reach out to our support team with questions at any time.

All Merrick dog food products are made in the USA, including Merrick dog treats.

Merrick has many grain free dog food recipes to choose from featuring a variety of proteins, textures, and flavors. However, Merrick also has a variety of recipes that include healthy grains like brown rice, oats, and ancient grains, so you can find the right food for your dog. 

Yes, all Merrick dry dog food recipes are supplemented with taurine, including our grain free dry dog food options.

Yes, Merrick makes dog food with grains, such as brown rice, barley and oat meal. Browse our Merrick Healthy Grains line of dog food, or find grain inclusive dog food options within our Merrick Backcountry and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet lines. 

No. We're proud to say that we do not use monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, in any of our dog food or cat food recipes, nor do any of our natural ingredients contain MSG.

No, Merrick pet food and treats do not contain chemicals. We have always been committed to crafting the most wholesome and nutritious food possible. We do not use additives, sweeteners, or artificial preservatives in our dog and cat food products.  

Merrick dog food features high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support your dog's hips and joints. Although glucosamine and chondroitin are not recognized as essential nutrients by the AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profiles, we do include them in the Guaranteed Analysis on each dry dog food product page. 

Yes. We have several recipes for dogs within Healthy Grains, Limited Ingredient Diet, and Backcountry lines that do not contain peas. You can search for these recipes on our website by clicking “Pea Free” under “Recipe Attributes.” If you need help deciding which Merrick food is best for your dog, please reach out to one of our Pet Parent Relations Specialists at 800-664-7387 or https://www.merrickpetcare.com/contact-us.

Merrick grain free dog and cat food recipes contain sweet potatoes, because they are a rich source of natural sugars, carbohydrates, carotenoids and iron, and contribute to the overall quality nutrition of our recipes. If you are looking for a recipe that is free of sweet potatoes, please consider trying one of our Merrick Healthy Grains dog food or Healthy Grains cat food recipes. 

DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid, which is an Omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the brain, cerebral cortex, skin and retina. Merrick includes DHA in our dry puppy and kitten food to support brain development.

If you’re new to Merrick or your pet has a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to slowly introduce the new recipes by mixing it in with the current food. Continuously increase the amount of the new recipe while decreasing the amount of your pet’s current diet. For more information, please visit https://www.merrickpetcare.com/how-to-change-pet-food