Merrick Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice
Owners who want deboned meat first with grain-inclusive quality at a premium price
Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
Owners committed to grain-free feeding who want high-protein, clean ingredients
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 Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
Owners committed to grain-free feeding who want high-protein, clean ingredients
Wellness CORE is a strong grain-free option with deboned turkey and chicken leading the formula. High protein content and no artificial anything. The grain-free DCM concern is the main caveat — if your vet approves grain-free, this is one of the better options in the category.
Strengths
- High-protein grain-free formula with deboned turkey and chicken as top ingredients
- No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial additives
- Clean safety record with no recalls in 5+ years for dry food
Limitations
- Grain-free formula falls under FDA DCM investigation umbrella
- Premium pricing at ~$1.67/day for a grain-free option
- Ingredient transparency could be stronger on sourcing origins
