Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner
Grain-free advocates who want deboned meat as the primary protein
Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken
Owners who want visible, recognizable ingredients in a premium stew format
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 Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken
Owners who want visible, recognizable ingredients in a premium stew format
Nutro Hearty Stew stands out for its visual appeal — you can see real chicken chunks and vegetable pieces in the stew. No by-products, no corn/wheat/soy, clean ingredient list. The stew format is less calorie-dense than pate, so you may need more volume for larger dogs. A solid premium option with genuine ingredient quality.
Strengths
- Real chicken is the #1 ingredient with visible vegetable pieces in stew format
- No corn, wheat, soy, chicken by-product meal, or artificial preservatives
- Hearty stew texture with recognizable chunks that dogs find highly palatable
Limitations
- Owned by Mars (same parent as Pedigree) — corporate overlap may concern some
- Stew format has higher moisture content, meaning less caloric density per ounce
- Limited flavor variety compared to competitors with larger wet food lines
