Canidae vs Merrick
Canidae against Merrick, measured across 26 and 58 kibble recipes: 30.0% vs 34.1% protein on a dry matter basis, and 39% vs 32% starch.
How They Differ
- Merrick runs higher in protein: 34.1% against 30.0% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Merrick is lower in starch, about 32% of the food as fed against 39%.
- Canidae is more calorie dense, 472 kcal per cup on average against 421, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
| Measure | Canidae | Merrick | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 26 | 58 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 30.0%25.0% to 36.7% | 34.1%25.8% to 42.7% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 14.6%9.4% to 22.2% | 17.4%10.1% to 20.2% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 39%30% to 49% | 32%25% to 42% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 472330 to 565 | 421352 to 522 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 69% | 64% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 58%, Turkey 50%, Lamb 35% | Chicken 71%, Fish 64%, Turkey 45% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older in the archive | None1 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Ethos Pet Brands | Nestlé Purina |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Canidae Pure Farm To Bowl Pasture-Raised Lamb & Lentil, Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 26%
Fat 16%
Starch 42%
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 26%
Fat 16%
Starch 42%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Merrick puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Merrick is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Merrick starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Canidae runs from 25% to 37% protein and Merrick from 26% to 43%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Canidae
No FDA recalls in our record for Canidae in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Canidae. Canidae dry dog and cat food made at Diamond Gaston, SC plant
Merrick
No FDA recalls in our record for Merrick in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Castor & Pollux, Merrick. Beef dog treat varieties
About the Brands
Canidae
Canidae is a US dog and cat food brand owned by Ethos Pet Brands, which also owns Natural Balance. Its dog food lines include All Life Stages, Pure Farm To Bowl and the newer Heartland line. The company says its recipes use regeneratively farmed ingredients and contain no corn, wheat, soy or artificial additives.
Based in Brownwood, Texas, since 1996. Every Canidae food we review
Merrick
Merrick is a dog and cat food brand that is part of the Nestlé Purina family of brands. It sells dry food, wet food and treats under lines such as Backcountry, Healthy Grains, Grain Free, Limited Ingredient Diet, Full Source and Lil' Plates. The company says its recipes use real, whole-food ingredients and no artificial preservatives, and that its dry dog recipes contain omega fatty acids plus glucosamine and chondroitin.
Based in Hereford, Texas, since 1988. Every Merrick food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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