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Merrick vs. Whole Paws

In this comparison article for Merrick vs Whole Paws, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Whole Paws, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Whole Paws vs Merrick comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Merrick Review Page or Whole Paws Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Whole Paws vs. Merrick

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Merrick Dog Food vs. Whole Paws Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Merrick	Whole Paws
Crude Protein	35.9%	29.8%
Crude Fat	17.2%	17.3%
Crude Fiber	4.2%	3.3%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Merrick	Whole Paws
Crude Protein	43.9%	40.5%
Crude Fat	21.1%	23.6%
Crude Fiber	8.3%	7.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Merrick and Whole Paws. On average, Whole Paws dry dog food recipes contain 6.09% less protein than Merrick recipes. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more protein (about 3.45% more).

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Whole Paws typically provides a little more fat (about 2.55% more).

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Whole Paws also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Merrick Cat Food vs. Whole Paws Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Merrick	Whole Paws
Crude Protein	40.5%	33.3%
Crude Fat	15.7%	18.5%
Crude Fiber	5.1%	7.0%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Merrick	Whole Paws
Crude Protein	46.9%	46.1%
Crude Fat	21.3%	23.3%
Crude Fiber	6.0%	5.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

Whole Paws dry recipes contain 7.14% less protein than Merrick dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Merrick and Whole Paws. For wet cat foods, Merrick and Whole Paws provide roughly the same amount of protein.

Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a small difference between the fat content of Whole Paws and Merrick. We can see that Whole Paws guarantees about 2.78% more fat than Merrick. In addition, Whole Paws wet cat foods also provide more fat than Merrick wet foods.

As you can see, Merrick and Whole Paws guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and Whole Paws also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Whole Paws Pet Food Ingredients

Merrick and Whole Paws both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Canola Oil

Pea Protein

Powdered Cellulose

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Merrick.

Garlic

Caramel Color

Meaty Femur Bone

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Whole Paws.

Poultry Giblets

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Merrick.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Whole Paws?

Merrick has been recalled 6 times.

Jan. 28, 2011: Salmonella
Aug. 8, 2011: Salmonella
July 2, 2010: Salmonella
Aug. 3, 2010: Salmonella
Aug. 13, 2010: Salmonella
May 23, 2018: elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone

According to our records, Whole Paws has never been recalled.

Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Merrick Pet Foods

You can purchase Merrick pet foods from the following stores:

136 Recipes In-Stock Today

107 Recipes In-Stock Today

103 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Whole Paws Pet Foods

You can purchase Whole Paws pet food products from these retailers:

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	Merrick	Whole Paws
Dry Dog Food	53 Recipes	5 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	58 Recipes	7 Recipes
Dog Treats	35 Treats	8 Treats
Dry Cat Food	18 Recipes	3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	50 Recipes	8 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	None