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Wellness and Merrick both started as independent “natural” pet food companies and both now sit in the premium, meat-forward tier of the pet aisle. Merrick was founded in Texas and has been owned by Nestlé Purina since 2015, while Wellness belongs to Wellness Pet Company, which also owns brands such as Old Mother Hubbard. If you are choosing between them, you are comparing two broad catalogs with overlapping goals. The differences show up in recipe structure, grain options, small-breed choices and price.
📋 Table of Contents
How the lines are organized
Wellness
- Complete Health: the everyday grain-inclusive line, with size and life-stage variants.
- CORE: higher-protein recipes, originally grain-free and now also offered with grains, plus CORE RawRev with freeze-dried pieces.
- Simple: limited-ingredient diets for sensitive dogs.
- Small-breed recipes across most lines.
Merrick
- Classic Healthy Grains: grain-inclusive recipes with deboned meat first.
- Grain-Free: the line Merrick was best known for.
- Backcountry: kibble mixed with freeze-dried raw pieces.
- Limited Ingredient Diet and Lil’ Plates for small breeds.
Comparison table
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| Factor | Wellness | Merrick |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Wellness Pet Company | Nestlé Purina (since 2015) |
| Everyday line | Complete Health | Classic Healthy Grains |
| High-protein line | CORE | Grain-Free / Backcountry |
| Raw-coated or raw-mixed | CORE RawRev | Backcountry |
| Limited ingredient | Simple | Limited Ingredient Diet |
| Dry price per pound (approx.) | $2.80–$4.80 | $3.00–$5.00 |
Ingredient philosophy
Both brands put a named meat first in most recipes and avoid corn, wheat and soy in their core lines. Wellness adds a lot of produce and emphasizes wholesome grains in Complete Health. Merrick tends to lean more heavily on meat and meat meals, particularly in Grain-Free and Backcountry, which often means higher protein and fat. Always compare the guaranteed analysis for the specific recipe, since protein can range from the mid-20s to the high-30s percent within either brand.
Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grain Kibble, Natural, Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe, 30 lb Bag
Included for 'Wellness vs Merrick Dog Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Wholesome Grain Kibble and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grain Kibble, Natural, Chicken Free, Whitefish and Sweet Potato Recipe, 30 lb Bag
Included for 'Wellness vs Merrick Dog Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Wholesome Grain Kibble and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Wellness CORE+ Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food with Freeze Dried Pieces, Grain Free Kibble+, Natural, High Protein, Turkey and Chicken Recipe, 4 lb Bag
Included for 'Wellness vs Merrick Dog Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Grain Free Kibble+ and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon
Wellness Complete Health Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grain Kibble, Natural, Beef and Barley Recipe, 26 lb Bag
Included for 'Wellness vs Merrick Dog Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Wholesome Grain Kibble and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonGrain-free considerations
Merrick appeared on the FDA’s 2019 list of brands named in dilated cardiomyopathy reports, mostly linked to grain-free diets high in peas, lentils or potatoes. The FDA did not determine causation, and the issue remains under study. Both brands now offer robust grain-inclusive lines. If your dog does not have a diagnosed grain allergy (rare in dogs), many vets suggest a grain-inclusive formula. Discuss with your vet, particularly for breeds with known heart risks.
Small dogs and sensitive dogs
Merrick Lil’ Plates is a dedicated small-breed line with small kibble, and Wellness offers small-breed options in Complete Health and CORE. For itchy or sensitive dogs, both limited-ingredient lines use a single animal protein, but remember that true food allergies need a vet-guided elimination trial, often with a hydrolyzed prescription diet.
Palatability and practical notes
- Backcountry and RawRev freeze-dried pieces are very appealing to picky eaters but raise the cost per day.
- High-fat recipes can trigger soft stool in dogs used to lighter kibble; transition over 7 to 10 days.
- Both brands are widely available at pet specialty stores and online.
Which fits your dog
Wellness makes sense if
- You want a balanced, grain-inclusive everyday food with lots of size variants.
- You like the option to step up to higher protein within the same brand.
Merrick makes sense if
- Your dog is active and does well on higher protein and fat.
- You want a raw-mixed kibble without switching to full raw feeding.
- You have a small breed and like the Lil’ Plates line.
Cost per day, not per bag
Premium foods vary a lot in calorie density, so price per pound can mislead. A 40-pound moderately active adult might need around 1,000 to 1,200 kcal per day. If one recipe has 380 kcal per cup and another 450 kcal per cup, the second requires roughly 15% less food, which narrows the price gap. To compare, find kcal per cup on the bag, calculate cups per day for your dog, and multiply by the cost per cup. For many medium dogs, Wellness Complete Health lands around $1.40 to $2.20 per day and Merrick Classic or Grain-Free around $1.50 to $2.60 per day, with Backcountry and CORE RawRev higher. Treats, toppers and chews add calories too, so account for them and adjust portions to keep your dog lean.
FAQ
Is Merrick still a good brand since Purina bought it?
Merrick continues to make food in its Texas facilities and maintains its own recipes. Ownership alone does not change quality; evaluate the recipe and how your dog does on it.
Which is cheaper, Wellness or Merrick?
They overlap. Wellness Complete Health is often slightly cheaper than Merrick’s premium lines, but sales and bag size make a bigger difference than brand.
Bottom line
Wellness is the more balanced, produce-rich everyday option; Merrick is the more meat-heavy choice with a standout raw-mixed line. Both are reputable premium brands. Start with a grain-inclusive recipe unless your vet advises otherwise, and let your dog’s weight, stool and coat over a month tell you whether it is the right food.
