Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend Red Meat
Owners who want the ultimate in palatability with raw-food benefits in kibble form
Merrick Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice
Owners who want deboned meat first with grain-inclusive quality at a premium price
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend Red Meat
Owners who want the ultimate in palatability with raw-food benefits in kibble form
Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend combines premium kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces — and dogs absolutely love it. The red meat recipe (beef, lamb, venison) is the most palatability-focused food in this comparison. At ~$2.55/day it's the most expensive, but the feeding experience is genuinely premium.
Strengths
- Freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real beef, lamb, and venison proteins
- Highest palatability in this comparison — dogs consistently prefer it over alternatives
- No corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, or by-products
Limitations
- Most expensive per day at ~$2.55 — the priciest option in this comparison
- 2021 recall of freeze-dried product line (not kibble) is a minor safety note
- Rich red meat formula may cause digestive adjustment for some dogs
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
