Merrick vs Blue Buffalo
Merrick against Blue Buffalo, measured across 57 and 104 kibble recipes: 34.0% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, 32% vs 36% starch, and 0 vs 0 FDA recalls in the last five years.
How They Differ
- Merrick runs higher in protein: 34.0% against 30.9% 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 36%.
- Merrick is more calorie dense, 419 kcal per cup on average against 387, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
- Merrick leans grain-free: 63% of its kibble recipes against 1%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Merrick | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 57 | 104 | 1,540 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 34.0%25.8% to 42.7% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 17.4%10.1% to 20.2% | 15.5%10.0% to 22.2% | 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. | 32%25% to 42% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 419352 to 488 | 387323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 63% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 70%, Fish 65%, Turkey 44% | Chicken 69%, Fish 63%, Egg 46% | |
| 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 | None | |
| Made by | Nestlé Purina | General Mills |
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.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 16%
Starch 40%
Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 16%
Starch 40%
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, Blue Buffalo is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Merrick starts lower.
- If your vet has suggested a grain-inclusive diet, Blue Buffalo has more of those recipes to choose from.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Merrick runs from 26% to 43% protein and Blue Buffalo from 20% to 51%, 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.
Merrick
No FDA recalls for Merrick in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Castor & Pollux, Merrick. Beef dog treat varieties
Blue Buffalo
No FDA recalls for Blue Buffalo in the last five years.
About the Brands
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
Blue Buffalo
Blue is the pet food brand of the Blue Buffalo Company, which has been owned by General Mills since 2018. Its dog food lines include Life Protection Formula, Wilderness, Basics, Freedom and the fresh Love Made Fresh range. The company says its recipes start with real meat and exclude corn, wheat, soy and poultry by-product meals.
Based in Wilton, CT, since 2003. Every Blue Buffalo 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 September 29, 2026.