Merrick vs Taste of the Wild
Merrick against Taste of the Wild, measured across 58 and 16 kibble recipes: 34.1% vs 32.0% protein on a dry matter basis, and 32% vs 35% starch.
How They Differ
- Merrick runs higher in protein: 34.1% against 32.0% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Starch is similar, about 32% for Merrick and 35% for Taste of the Wild as fed.
Side by Side
| Measure | Merrick | Taste of the Wild | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 58 | 16 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 34.1%25.8% to 42.7% | 32.0%27.8% to 35.6% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 17.4%10.1% to 20.2% | 17.9%16.7% 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% | 35%30% to 41% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 421352 to 522 | 412360 to 445 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 64% | 75% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 71%, Fish 64%, Turkey 45% | Fish 63%, Egg 56%, Lamb 44% | |
| 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 | Nestlé Purina | Diamond Pet Foods |
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 Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 16%
Starch 40%
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food
Protein 28%
Fat 17%
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.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Merrick runs from 26% to 43% protein and Taste of the Wild from 28% to 36%, 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
Taste of the Wild
No FDA recalls in our record for Taste of the Wild in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul; Country Value; Diamond; Diamond Naturals; Premium Edge; Professional; 4Health; Taste of the Wild; Kirkland Signature. Expansion to batches of nine brands of dry dog and cat food made at Gaston, SC plant Dec 9 2011 - Apr 7 2012
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
Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild is a dry and wet dog and cat food brand owned by Diamond Pet Foods, the trade name of Schell & Kampeter, Inc. of Meta, Missouri. The brand says its recipes are based on a pet's ancestral diet and it is known for less common proteins such as bison, venison, wild boar and trout. Its lines include the original grain-free recipes, Ancient Grains, and PREY limited ingredient recipes.
Based in Meta, Missouri, since 2007. Every Taste of the Wild 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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