Merrick Grain Free replaces grain with sweet potatoes, potatoes and, in most recipes, peas. Every kibble and wet recipe lists a deboned meat first. The line comes as 14 kibbles, 14 wet foods and 3 bone broth toppers.
The kibbles run from 28% to 38% protein and 24.5% to 38% estimated starch, as fed. They average 31.3% protein and 32.8% starch, compared with catalog kibble averages of 26.9% and 37.4%. Chicken appears in 12 of the 14 kibbles and turkey in 10, including recipes named for duck, lamb, bison or rabbit. All 14 kibbles contain peas or lentils. The wet foods sit at 8% to 9% protein, close to the wet catalog average of 8.3%. Of the 14 wet foods, 10 contain peas or lentils and 13 contain egg.
The trade-off is that the higher kibble protein comes with legumes and potato in every kibble, and a recipe named for one protein rarely contains only that protein. The Turkey, Rabbit and Venison kibbles are marked discontinued, and the Turkey kibble is the one with 38% protein. The toppers show 3% protein and 0% fat, well below the topper catalog average of 18.4% protein. At 97% moisture, they are mostly broth.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free Real Turkey + Sweet Potato Recipe | 38% | 17% | 24.5% | 404 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Rabbit + Sweet Potato Recipe | 34% | 16% | 29.5% | 387 | Deboned Rabbit, Chicken Meal, Pork Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe | 34% | 17% | 28.5% | 389 | Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Venison + Sweet Potato Recipe | 32% | 16% | 31.5% | 385 | Deboned Venison, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe | 32% | 15% | 32.5% | 455 | Deboned Beef, Pork And Bone Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe | 32% | 16% | 31.5% | 381 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Grain-Free Senior Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 12% | 37.5% | 382 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Large Breed Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 15% | 34.5% | 462 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe | 30% | 10% | 38% | 352 | Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Real Bison, Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 17% | 32.5% | 389 | Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 14% | 35.5% | 457 | Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 17% | 31.5% | 393 | Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe | 28% | 15% | 35.5% | 454 | Deboned beef, chicken meal, sweet potatoes |
| Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe | 28% | 15% | 35.5% | 400 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Line average | 31.3% | 15.1% | 32.8% | 406 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
38% protein · 17% fat · 24.5% starch · 404 kcal/cup · Adult
This kibble has the most protein in the line at 38% and the least estimated starch at 24.5%, with turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal leading. It is marked discontinued, so owners who want similar figures may look at the Duck recipe.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Turkey + Sweet Potato Recipe34% protein · 16% fat · 29.5% starch · 387 kcal/cup · Adult
This is the only kibble here with rabbit, followed by chicken meal, pork meal and peas. It is marked discontinued and shows 34% protein with 29.5% estimated starch, so it suits owners already feeding it who are finishing their supply.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Rabbit + Sweet Potato Recipe34% protein · 17% fat · 28.5% starch · 389 kcal/cup · Adult
This is the only kibble here with duck, and it also contains chicken, turkey and fish. Among the kibbles not marked discontinued, it has the most protein at 34% and the least estimated starch at 28.5%.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe32% protein · 16% fat · 31.5% starch · 385 kcal/cup · Adult
This is the only kibble here with venison, though turkey meal, chicken meal and pork also appear. It is marked discontinued and shows 32% protein, 16% fat and 31.5% estimated starch, so it suits owners finishing a bag they already have.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Venison + Sweet Potato Recipe32% protein · 15% fat · 32.5% starch · 455 kcal/cup · Adult
Deboned beef is followed by pork and bone meal and salmon meal, making this one of two kibbles here with no chicken or turkey. With 32% protein and 455 kcal per cup, it suits adult dogs whose owners avoid poultry.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe32% protein · 16% fat · 31.5% starch · 381 kcal/cup · Adult
This core chicken kibble lists only chicken and turkey as animal proteins, with 32% protein and 16% fat. At 381 kcal per cup, it suits adult poultry eaters whose owners want an adult kibble without fish.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 12% fat · 37.5% starch · 382 kcal/cup · Senior
This is the only senior kibble in the line, with deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes and peas up front. It is sold for older dogs, pairing 30% protein with 12% fat and 382 kcal per cup.
Full review of Grain-Free Senior Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 15% fat · 34.5% starch · 462 kcal/cup · Adult
This kibble is sold for large breed adults and has the most calories per cup in the line, at 462. With 30% protein, 15% fat and 34.5% estimated starch, it suits big dogs whose owners want a chicken recipe sized for them.
Full review of Grain-Free Large Breed Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 10% fat · 38% starch · 352 kcal/cup · Adult
This kibble is made for weight control and has the least fat at 10%, the fewest calories at 352 kcal per cup and the most fiber at 5%. It also has the most estimated starch in the line at 38%, a trade-off for owners watching starch.
Full review of Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe30% protein · 17% fat · 32.5% starch · 389 kcal/cup · Adult
Despite the name, deboned beef comes first, and bison is one of five animal proteins, the most of any kibble here. At 30% protein and 17% fat, it suits adult dogs that do well on a mix of red meat, poultry and fish.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Bison, Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 14% fat · 35.5% starch · 457 kcal/cup · Adult
This is the only kibble here with fish as its sole animal protein, from deboned salmon and salmon meal. With 30% protein, 14% fat and 457 kcal per cup, it suits dogs fed fish whose owners avoid poultry.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 17% fat · 31.5% starch · 393 kcal/cup · Adult
This is the only kibble here with lamb, though chicken meal, turkey meal and fish also appear. It shows 30% protein, 17% fat and 4.5% fiber, so it suits adult dogs that like lamb and can also eat poultry.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe28% protein · 15% fat · 35.5% starch · 454 kcal/cup · Puppy
This is the beef puppy kibble, with deboned beef ahead of chicken meal. It matches the chicken puppy recipe at 28% protein and 35.5% estimated starch but carries 454 kcal per cup, so it suits puppies whose owners want beef listed first.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe28% protein · 15% fat · 35.5% starch · 400 kcal/cup · Puppy
This is the chicken puppy kibble, with turkey and egg as its other animal proteins. At 28% protein, 15% fat and 400 kcal per cup, it suits growing poultry eaters and owners who want fewer calories per cup than the beef puppy recipe.
Full review of Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy Plate Real Chicken | 9% | 5% | 82% | 1,076 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey |
| Real Texas Beef Grain Free | 9% | 5% | 78% | 1,094 | Deboned Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Broth |
| Real Beef, Lamb and Bison Grain Free | 9% | 5% | 78% | 1,111 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver |
| Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner | 8% | 3% | 82% | 972 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth |
| Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey | 8% | 5% | 82% | 1,091 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Broth, Chicken |
| Grammy’s Grain Free Chicken Pot Pie | 8% | 4% | 82% | 1,109 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Dried Egg Product |
| Turducken in Gravy | 8% | 5% | 82% | 1,165 | Deboned Turkey, Chicken Broth, Duck |
| Puppy Plate Real Beef | 8% | 3% | 82% | 1,008 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Dried Egg Product |
| Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast | 8% | 3% | 82% | 913 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Vegetable Broth |
| Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken | 8% | 3% | 82% | 969 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth |
| Wilderness Blend Grain Free in Gravy | 8% | 5% | 82% | 1,018 | Deboned Duck, Beef Broth, Vegetable Broth |
| Cowboy Cookout Grain Free in Gravy | 8% | 3% | 82% | 844 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Chicken Broth |
| Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy | 8% | 3% | 82% | 900 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Vegetable Broth |
| Real Duck | 8% | 2% | 78% | 996 | Deboned Duck, Duck Liver, Turkey Broth |
| Line average | 8.2% | 3.9% | 81.1% | 1,019 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
9% protein · 5% fat · 387 kcal/can · Puppy
This is the chicken version of the two wet puppy recipes, with deboned chicken and turkey up front. It shows 9% protein, 5% fat and 1076 kcal per kg, more fat than the beef puppy plate, and contains peas or lentils.
Full review of Puppy Plate Real Chicken9% protein · 5% fat · 393 kcal/cup · Adult
This is a 9% protein adult wet food built on deboned beef, beef liver and beef broth, with no potato. At 1094 kcal per kg, it suits adult dogs fed a single red meat who can eat egg, which is fourth on the list.
Full review of Real Texas Beef Grain Free9% protein · 5% fat · 1,111 kcal/kg · Adult
This is the only wet food here with lamb, and the only one with no egg among its animal proteins, combining beef, lamb and bison. At 9% protein and 1111 kcal per kg, it suits adult dogs whose owners avoid egg and poultry.
Full review of Real Beef, Lamb and Bison Grain Free8% protein · 3% fat · 347 kcal/serving · Adult
This is the only wet recipe here that lists peas among its first five ingredients, after deboned chicken, chicken broth, turkey broth and carrots. With 8% protein, 3% fat and 972 kcal per kg, it suits adult dogs eating a simple chicken-based wet food.
Full review of Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner8% protein · 5% fat · 396 kcal/serving · Adult
Deboned turkey leads, followed by turkey broth, chicken and sweet potatoes, at 8% protein and 5% fat. At 1091 kcal per kg, it suits adult poultry eaters whose owners want more fat than the 3% chicken dinners.
Full review of Thanksgiving Day Chicken & Turkey8% protein · 4% fat · 399 kcal/can · Adult
This is the only wet recipe at 4% fat, built on deboned chicken, chicken broth, dried egg product, potatoes and carrots. At 1109 kcal per kg and 1.8% fiber, it suits adult dogs that eat chicken and egg.
Full review of Grammy’s Grain Free Chicken Pot Pie8% protein · 5% fat · 419 kcal/can · Adult
It combines turkey, duck and chicken in gravy and has the most calories of the wet foods at 1165 kcal per kg. With 5% fat, it suits adult dogs that eat poultry and need a more calorie-dense wet food.
Full review of Turducken in Gravy8% protein · 3% fat · 363 kcal/can · Puppy
The beef puppy plate has no peas or lentils and lists the most fiber of the wet foods at 3%. With 8% protein, 3% fat and 1008 kcal per kg, it suits puppies whose owners avoid legumes or poultry.
Full review of Puppy Plate Real Beef8% protein · 3% fat · 913 kcal/kg · Adult
Deboned beef, beef broth, vegetable broth and beef liver lead, with potatoes fifth and no peas or lentils. At 913 kcal per kg and 3% fat, it suits adult dogs on beef whose owners prefer potato over legumes.
Full review of Pappy’s Chunky Pot Roast8% protein · 3% fat · 348 kcal/can · Adult
This is the only poultry wet recipe here without peas or lentils, pairing deboned chicken with turkey and potatoes. At 3% fat and 969 kcal per kg, it suits adult poultry eaters whose owners avoid legumes.
Full review of Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken8% protein · 5% fat · 366 kcal/can · Adult
This is the only wet food here with venison, mixing deboned duck, bison, venison and beef in gravy. With 5% fat and 1018 kcal per kg, it suits adult dogs that are fed game and red meat.
Full review of Wilderness Blend Grain Free in Gravy8% protein · 3% fat · 303 kcal/can · Adult
It has the fewest calories of the wet foods at 844 kcal per kg, with deboned beef, beef broth, chicken broth and beef liver up front. It suits adult dogs that need a lighter beef wet food, though chicken broth is present.
Full review of Cowboy Cookout Grain Free in Gravy8% protein · 3% fat · 327 kcal/serving · Adult
Deboned beef, beef broth, vegetable broth, beef liver and dried egg product make up the first five ingredients, and there are no peas or lentils. At 900 kcal per kg, it suits adult beef eaters who need fewer calories than most wet recipes here provide.
Full review of Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy8% protein · 2% fat · 996 kcal/kg · Adult
It lists the least fat of the wet foods at 2%, with deboned duck and duck liver leading and no potato. It suits adult dogs fed duck whose owners want a lower fat can, though turkey broth and egg are also present.
Full review of Real Duck| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free Turkey Bone Broth | 3% | 0% | 97% | 110 | Turkey Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Cranberries |
| Grain-Free Chicken Bone Broth | 3% | 0% | 97% | 110 | Chicken Bone Broth, Sweet Potato, Apple |
| Grain-Free Beef Bone Broth | 3% | 0% | 97% | 88 | Beef Bone Broth, Butternut Squash, Blueberries |
| Line average | 3% | 0% | 97% | 103 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
3% protein · 0% fat · 26 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This is turkey bone broth with pumpkin, cranberries, parsley and ginger, and no potato. At 26 kcal per cup and 3% protein, it suits owners who want a poultry broth without potato to pour over meals.
Full review of Grain-Free Turkey Bone Broth3% protein · 0% fat · 26 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This is chicken bone broth with sweet potato, apple, parsley and turmeric, and the only topper here that contains potato. At 26 kcal per cup, it suits dogs that eat chicken and need extra liquid at mealtime.
Full review of Grain-Free Chicken Bone Broth3% protein · 0% fat · 20 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This is beef bone broth with butternut squash, blueberries and cinnamon, and it has the fewest calories of the toppers at 20 kcal per cup. It suits dogs on beef diets and owners who want to add moisture with few calories.
Full review of Grain-Free Beef Bone BrothYes, the label data shows no grain in any of the 31 recipes. However, all 14 kibbles and 10 of the 14 wet foods contain peas or lentils.
Grain-Free Real Turkey + Sweet Potato Recipe has the most, at 38%, but it is marked discontinued. Among kibbles not marked discontinued, Grain-Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe is highest at 34%.
None of the kibbles are free of peas or lentils. In wet food, Puppy Plate Real Beef, Pappy's Chunky Pot Roast, Carver's Delight Chunky Chicken and Big Texas Chunky Steak Tips in Gravy have none, and neither do the three bone broth toppers.
Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (35.2% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 33% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
100% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
Beef dog treat varieties
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
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Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
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Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,207 foods.
