Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Merrick Grain Free Canned product range is made up of 14 recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Merrick Grain Free Grammy’s Pot Pie was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Merrick Grain Free Grammy’s Pot Pie
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Deboned chicken, chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, apples, peas, dried egg product, flaxseed oil, potato protein, calcium carbonate, natural flavor, potato starch, minerals (potassium chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide), sodium selenite, sodium phosphate, gum ghatti, guar gum, xanthan gum, salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, folic acid, vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin), salmon oil, cassia gum, agar-agar, flaxseed, locust bean gum, choline chloride, rosemary, sage, thyme, Yucca schidigera extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.8%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 44% | 22% | 25% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 36% | 44% | 21% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries – from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The fourth ingredient is potato, which can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth ingredient lists carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber..
The sixth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
After natural flavor the next ingredient is agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.
The eighth ingredient is guar gum, a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Merrick product.
With three notable exceptions…
First, we find sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Next, fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Merrick Grain Free Grammy’s Pot Pie canned dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.4%, a fat level of 22.2% and estimated carbohydrates of about 25.3%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 39.4% and a mean fat level of 28.8%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 23.8% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 74%.
Which means this Merrick product line contains…
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Merrick Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Merrick through November 2024.
- Merrick Recalls Multiple Dog Treats (May 23, 2018)
- Merrick Recalls Dog Treats (August 9, 2011)
- Merrick Pet Treats Recall 2011 (January 30, 2011)
- Merrick Expands Dog Treats Recall (August 16, 2010)
- Merrick Expands Recall of Dog Treats (August 4, 2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall (July 6, 2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall 2010 (January 15, 2010)
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Merrick Grain Free Canned Dog Food
Merrick Canned is a grain-free wet dog food using a liberal amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Compare Merrick Grain Free Dog Food
How does Merrick Grain Free compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
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