vs
Merrick vs Under The Sun

Merrick vs. Under The Sun

In this comparison article for Merrick vs Under The Sun, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Merrick and Under The Sun, 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 Under The Sun 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 Under The Sun Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Under The Sun 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. Under The Sun Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodMerrickUnder The Sun
Crude Protein35.9%27.5%
Crude Fat17.2%12.1%
Crude Fiber4.2%4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodMerrickUnder The Sun
Crude Protein43.9%41.1%
Crude Fat21.1%24.5%
Crude Fiber8.3%6.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry dog food, it's clear that Merrick provides significantly more protein. On average, Merrick guarantees about 8.41% more protein than Under The Sun. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more protein (about 2.86% 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.

Our analysis shows that Merrick guarantees 5.12% more fat than Under The Sun dry dog food recipes. For wet dog foods, Under The Sun typically provides a little more fat (about 3.39% more).


Merrick and Under The Sun both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Merrick typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.26% more).

Merrick Cat Food vs. Under The Sun Cat Food

Wet/Canned Cat FoodMerrickUnder The Sun
Crude Protein46.9%46.5%
Crude Fat21.3%22.3%
Crude Fiber6.0%6.7%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

As you can see, Under The Sun and Merrick guarantee a similar amount of crude 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.

Merrick Pet Food Ingredients vs. Under The Sun Pet Food Ingredients

Merrick and Under The Sun both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Canola Oil
Pea Protein

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

Garlic
Caramel Color
Meaty Femur Bone
Powdered Cellulose
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.

Merrick and Under The Sun both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Under The Sun.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Merrick & Under The Sun?

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, Under The Sun has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodMerrickUnder The Sun
Per Pound$6.15$1.67
Per Calorie$0.0036$0.0011

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 Merrick or Under The Sun, 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 Merrick or Under The Sun will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Merrick and Under The Sun. 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 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 Under The Sun Pet Foods

You can purchase Under The Sun pet food products from these retailers:


4 Recipes In-Stock Today

4 Recipes In-Stock Today

4 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductMerrickUnder The Sun
Dry Dog Food53 Recipes7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food58 Recipes8 Recipes
Dog Treats35 TreatsNone
Dry Cat Food18 RecipesNone
Wet Cat Food50 Recipes9 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Merrick Recipes

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

Top Rated Under The Sun Recipes

Dog Food
Under The Sun
Grain Free Recipe Made With Real Lamb
Check Price
Dog Food
Under The Sun
Grain Free Recipe Made With Real Chicken
Check Price
Dog Food
Under The Sun
Grain Free Pate Duck Formula
Check Price
Cat Food
Under The Sun
Witty Kitty The Big Catch With Flaked Tuna & Sardines
Check Price