Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner
Grain-free advocates who want deboned meat as the primary protein
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner
Mainstream owners who want identifiable ingredients and a homestyle formulation
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner
Grain-free advocates who want deboned meat as the primary protein
Merrick Grain Free wet food delivers on ingredient quality — deboned chicken first, no by-products, made in the USA. The grain-free formulation suits dogs with grain sensitivities, though the FDA DCM investigation is worth monitoring. At ~$9/day, you pay for genuine quality. Nestlé Purina ownership is a consideration for brand-conscious buyers.
Strengths
- Deboned chicken is the #1 ingredient — real meat, not meal or by-products
- Grain-free with no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives
- Made in the USA with strong ingredient labeling and sourcing claims
Limitations
- Premium pricing at ~$9/day puts it above most mid-range competitors
- Grain-free formula subject to FDA DCM investigation concerns
- Now owned by Nestlé Purina — corporate ownership may concern some buyers
When to Choose Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner
Mainstream owners who want identifiable ingredients and a homestyle formulation
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe brings the same philosophy as their dry food — real meat first, no by-products, and recognizable ingredients like carrots and peas. The homestyle chunk-in-gravy format feels more like real food. At ~$7/day, it costs a bit more than other mid-range options but delivers better ingredient quality.
Strengths
- Real chicken is the #1 ingredient with no poultry by-products
- Includes garden vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes) for a homestyle recipe feel
- Clean safety record with no wet food recalls in 5+ years
Limitations
- Higher price than comparable mid-range competitors at ~$7/day
- Some ingredient names remain vague (e.g., "natural flavor")
- Chunk-in-gravy texture can be inconsistent between batches
