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Canidae vs Merrick

Canidae vs. Merrick

In this comparison article for Canidae vs Merrick, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Canidae and Merrick, 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 Merrick vs Canidae comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Canidae Review Page or Merrick Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Merrick vs. Canidae

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.

Canidae Dog Food vs. Merrick Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodCanidaeMerrick
Crude Protein29.2%35.9%
Crude Fat15.2%17.2%
Crude Fiber5.3%4.2%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodCanidaeMerrick
Crude Protein39.6%43.9%
Crude Fat23.7%21.1%
Crude Fiber7.1%8.3%

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.

The table shows that Canidae provides far less protein than Merrick. The difference in protein content is roughly 6.71%. In addition, Merrick wet dog foods also provide more protein than Canidae wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

As you can see, Canidae and Merrick guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Canidae typically provides a little more fat (about 2.59% more).


Merrick and Canidae both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Merrick and Canidae also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Canidae Cat Food vs. Merrick Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodCanidaeMerrick
Crude Protein36.1%40.5%
Crude Fat16.5%15.7%
Crude Fiber4.4%5.1%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodCanidaeMerrick
Crude Protein48.8%46.9%
Crude Fat19.8%21.3%
Crude Fiber7.6%6.0%

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.

Our analysis shows that Merrick guarantees 4.43% more protein than Canidae dry cat food recipes. For wet cat foods, Canidae and Merrick 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):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. With regards to wet cat food, Merrick and Canidae also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.


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

Canidae Pet Food Ingredients vs. Merrick Pet Food Ingredients

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

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Caramel Color
Powdered Cellulose

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

Iron Oxide
White Rice
Garlic Powder

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

Garlic
Meaty Femur Bone
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

Canidae and Merrick both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Canidae & Merrick?

Canidae has been recalled once.

  • May 5, 2012: Salmonella

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

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodCanidaeMerrick
Per Pound$2.94$6.15
Per Calorie$0.0018$0.0036
Dry Cat FoodCanidaeMerrick
Per Pound$3.19$4.09
Per Calorie$0.0020$0.0025
Wet Dog FoodCanidaeMerrick
Per Pound$5.69$5.97
Per Calorie$0.0117$0.0126
Wet Cat FoodCanidaeMerrick
Per Pound$8.29$7.55
Per Calorie$0.0250$0.0168

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Canidae or Merrick, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Canidae or Merrick will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Canidae and Merrick. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


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 Canidae Pet Foods

You can purchase Canidae pet foods from the following stores:


55 Recipes In-Stock Today

43 Recipes In-Stock Today

38 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Merrick Pet Foods

You can purchase Merrick pet food products from these retailers:


136 Recipes In-Stock Today

107 Recipes In-Stock Today

103 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductCanidaeMerrick
Dry Dog Food42 Recipes53 Recipes
Wet Dog Food15 Recipes58 Recipes
Dog Treats12 Treats35 Treats
Dry Cat Food13 Recipes18 Recipes
Wet Cat Food23 Recipes50 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Canidae Recipes

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All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula With Chicken, Turkey & Lamb Meals
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All Life Stages Less Active Formula (Canidae Platinum) With Chicken, Lamb & Fish
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PURE Goodness Premium Recipe With Real Salmon
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Adore Morsels With Salmon & Whitefish In Broth
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Top Rated Merrick Recipes

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Classic Real Chicken + Green Peas Recipe With Ancient Grains
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Lil' Plates Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew For Small Breed Dogs
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Purrfect Bistro Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe
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Purrfect Bistro Salmon Pate
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