Merrick vs Fromm
Merrick against Fromm, measured across 58 and 35 kibble recipes: 34.1% vs 28.6% protein on a dry matter basis, and 32% vs 38% starch.
How They Differ
- Merrick runs higher in protein: 34.1% against 28.6% 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 38%.
- Merrick is more calorie dense, 421 kcal per cup on average against 382, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
| Measure | Merrick | Fromm | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 58 | 35 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 34.1%25.8% to 42.7% | 28.6%23.3% to 33.3% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 17.4%10.1% to 20.2% | 16.1%7.8% to 20.0% | 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% | 38%30% to 48% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 421352 to 522 | 382315 to 425 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 64% | 40% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 71%, Fish 64%, Turkey 45% | Egg 100%, Fish 66%, Chicken 63% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 3%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older in the archive | 2Latest 20261 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Nestlé Purina | Family-owned |
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 Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 32%
Fat 16%
Starch 38%
Fromm Classic Puppy Dry Dog Food
Protein 31%
Fat 16%
Starch 38%
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, Fromm is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Merrick starts lower.
- Merrick has fewer FDA recalls in our record over the last five years (0 against 2). Read the list below before counting it against Fromm: most recalls cover a few lots, not a whole range.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Merrick runs from 26% to 43% protein and Fromm from 23% to 33%, 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 in our record for Merrick in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Castor & Pollux, Merrick. Beef dog treat varieties
Fromm
Fromm. Fromm wet canned dog food
Bonnihill Farms. BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs
Archive: 1 older recall
Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals. Shredded Entrée canned dog food
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
Fromm
Fromm pet food is made by Fromm Family Foods, a fifth-generation family-owned company based in Mequon, Wisconsin. The company describes itself as the country's first and oldest premium pet food company, and it sells dry and canned dog food lines including Classic, Four-Star and Gold.
Based in Mequon, WI, since 1949. Every Fromm 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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