Merrick Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice
Owners who want deboned meat first with grain-inclusive quality at a premium price
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken & Rice
Budget-conscious dog owners who want solid nutrition without premium pricing
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Merrick Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice
Owners who want deboned meat first with grain-inclusive quality at a premium price
Merrick puts deboned chicken — not chicken meal — as the first ingredient, which is a meaningful quality distinction. No corn, wheat, soy, and made in the USA with solid transparency. The Nestlé Purina ownership is a consideration for brand-conscious buyers, but the formula quality remains strong.
Strengths
- Deboned chicken is the #1 ingredient — real meat, not meal
- No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives/colors/flavors
- Made in the USA with locally sourced ingredients and clear labeling
Limitations
- Premium pricing at ~$1.50/day for the ingredient quality level
- Smaller 25 lb bag increases per-serving cost compared to larger formats
- Now owned by Nestlé Purina — corporate ownership may concern some buyers
When to Choose Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken & Rice
Budget-conscious dog owners who want solid nutrition without premium pricing
Diamond Naturals delivers genuinely good nutrition at a price point that makes quality dog food accessible. Real chicken first, added probiotics, no corn/wheat/soy. The 2012 recall is ancient history with a clean record since. Hard to beat at ~$0.59/day.
Strengths
- Exceptional value at ~$0.59/day — lowest daily feeding cost in this comparison
- Real chicken is the first ingredient with added probiotics for digestive health
- No corn, wheat, or artificial preservatives in the formula
Limitations
- Uses chicken meal as a secondary protein — less premium than fresh/raw protein
- Historical recall in 2012 (salmonella) — clean record since but worth noting
- Ingredient sourcing transparency is limited compared to premium brands
