Merrick Cat Food Review: Is This Premium Brand Right for Your Feline?

We love our furry feline friends. We want them to be healthy and enjoy their meals. We love watching them eat with gusto when we finally hit the jackpot of buying the food they actually like. But let’s face it — kitties are much pickier than their canine counterparts.

With the hundreds of choices for cat foods out there, we are tasked with finding the best cat foods we can provide that suits our cats’ needs, and is of course, also approved by them.

This article, Merrick Cat Food Review, talks about one of the most well-known brands when it comes to pet foods. The Merrick Cat Food line gives us a good selection of cat foods according to their life stage and dietary requirements.

With each bag or can of pet food, Merrick promises to provide real whole foods, higher quality ingredients, health you can see, and food crafted in their Hereford kitchen. According to their fifth promise, Merrick gives back to communities committed to making life better for pets and pet parents.

Merrick’s cat foods are divided into three lines:

• Purrfect Bistro
• Backcountry
• Limited Ingredient Diet

To help you pick the right kinds of cat foods for your darling companion, we have created this cat food review of some of the brand’s highly-rated pet foods.

Merrick Cat Food Reviews

Purrfect Bistro

Purrfect Bistro is 100% grain-free and claims to be highly-digestible. It has Omega-3 and 6 for healthy skin and fur.

Aside from animal protein, it includes high-fiber produce such as sweet potatoes, alfalfa, and peas.  Purrfect Bistro comes in both wet and dry types, and has a total of over 40 variants.

1. Hairball Control Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

This natural cat food is specially crafted to meet the unique needs of indoor cats. This grain-free recipe features real deboned chicken as the #1 ingredient, providing high-quality protein to help maintain lean muscle mass.

It also includes natural fiber sources like miscanthus grass and pea fiber to support healthy digestion and help reduce hairball formation—making it a great choice for cats who spend most of their time grooming indoors.

Each bite is packed with probiotics and antioxidants to support digestive health and a strong immune system.

Whether your cat lives indoors or enjoys the outdoors, this recipe delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like taurine to support overall wellness.

Proudly crafted in Hereford, TX, and cooked in the USA, this recipe is made without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Pros

• Cats love it! Most buyers find that their picky cats absolutely love this cat food. Their feline companions just can’t get enough of it. One customer has stated that her kitties who have previously been suffering from loss of appetite, ate like their lives depended on it.
• Just the right size. The kibble size of this one is small, which makes it easier for kitties to chew, and thus, also easier for them to digest.
• Helped resolve some digestive issues. Several pet parents have said that this food stopped, or at least significantly reduced the frequency of their pets’ vomiting. A handful of owners, noticed that the litter box odor was also reduced, as well as the amount of solid waste.
• Helps maintain a healthy weight. While it may be tasty and seem to motivate older mousers to eat, this kibble is said to have helped pets maintain a healthy weight. It is especially beneficial to senior pets who have started gaining more weight due to lessened activity.

Cons

• A bit too crumbly. A few customers have found this cat food to have more food dust than other brands of pet foods. The small, crumbly kibble tend to leave food dust on the cat’s dish. The food dust adds to the weight of the bag, but is not actually consumed by their pets.

Takeaway

The Purrfect Bistro Grain-free Hairball Control seems to be a great choice for a lot of cats. The flavor motivates them to eat and have a healthy appetite, which is very important in picky cats. This cat food also seems to have improved or even resolved some existing digestive issues that a few cats had.  The perfect kibble size makes it easier for older ones to chew.

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2.  Soirees Turkey Cassoulet 

This wet food recipe for adult cats begins with real deboned turkey as the first ingredient, delivering a high-quality source of protein.

It's thoughtfully blended with carrots and spinach in a savory gravy, creating a gourmet-inspired meal your cat will love.

Each can is perfectly portioned and packed with flavorful morsels and nutrient-rich gravy to provide complete and balanced nourishment in every serving.

Grain-free and free from wheat, corn, soy, as well as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, this recipe offers a wholesome, delicious option for mealtime.

Pros

• Quality Ingredients. Cat owners love the high-quality, nutritious food in this new Merrick line. They especially appreciate the fact that its ingredients do not include fillers such as corn or food by-products. Most customers who buy this cat food are more than willing to pay a bit more for cat food with high nutritional value. 
• The gravy.  Kitties seem to enjoy licking the tasty liquid that comes with this canned food.  This wet food contains turkey and vegetable broth, which makes for an excellent-tasting gravy. One pet parent finds that even with the sauce, the food content of the can is well-packed and seem to have more solid food in it instead of just having a lot of liquid.  
• Great flavor. This savory feast in a can sure is popular among kitties. A majority of customers rave that their pets absolutely love it. They just cannot get enough. One customer said that it is the only canned cat food that her four furry buddies would eat.

Cons

• Not for picky eaters. This product may not be ideal for picky eaters, as one cat owner observed their feline sniff the food, turn away and refuse to eat it. According to the reviewer, the food appeared very watery, which was their primary observation. While the recipe might suit some cats, it didn’t win over their particular pet.

Takeaway

This product is definitely a feast for felines who enjoy its flavor. The gravy seems to be worth licking their dishes clean for.

This is a bonus as some pet parents feel that cats do not get enough hydration. More importantly, this tasty cat food has ingredients with very high nutritional value, such as turkey, chicken liver, carrots and spinach among others.

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3. Bon Appetits Beef Recipe Morsels in Gravy

Treat your feline companion to the rich, satisfying taste of these beef morsels in gravy—a meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

Each box contains 24 ready-to-serve pouches, thoughtfully prepared for adult cats with a grain-free recipe that supports overall wellness.

Real deboned beef is the first ingredient, offering high-quality protein to help maintain strong muscles, while wholesome vegetables like peas and Yukon Gold potatoes provide added fiber and nutrients you can actually see.

Bathed in a savory, slow-cooked gravy, each morsel is bursting with flavor, making mealtime more enticing—even for cats who can be a little finicky.

The moisture-rich gravy also supports hydration by contributing up to 25% of your cat’s daily water intake, which is especially helpful for cats that don’t drink enough water on their own.

Made with care and safely cooked in the USA, these pouches contain no grains, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Whether served alone as a treat or mixed with dry food, this recipe is the perfect way to add variety, flavor, and nutrition to your cat’s daily diet.

Pros

• Real whole foods. Consumers appreciate that it starts with real, tender beef morsels as the first ingredient, complemented by peas and Yukon Gold potatoes, all served in a rich, savory gravy.
• Hydration. This food is perfect for cats who need a little extra help staying hydrated. In addition to being tasty, it provides up to 25% of their daily water intake, helping support overall hydration.
• Easy to open pouches. It comes in easy-to-open pouches, each perfectly portioned for a single serving. The packaging is mess-free and convenient, making mealtime quick and hassle-free.
• Versatile. It serves as a delicious grain-free snack, but it's also an excellent meal choice—especially for young kittens and older cats with fewer teeth or picky appetites. The texture is perfectly suited to their needs.

Cons

• Digestive upset. There were stomach issues observed, with one cat experiencing diarrhea and the other vomiting.

Takeaway

This a flavorful and nutritious meal option for cats, featuring real beef as the first ingredient and complemented by vegetables. The savory gravy not only enhances the taste but also supports hydration by providing a portion of your cat's daily water intake.

With its grain-free formula and convenient, easy-to-serve pouches, it’s an ideal choice for cats needing extra hydration or those with discerning tastes. However, it’s important to note that some cats may experience stomach sensitivities, so it may not be suitable for every pet.

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Backcountry

Merrick Backcountry is the perfect choice for your carnivorous feline. It is called ancestral-diet cat food by Merrick as it is grain-free and contains a mix of protein and freeze-dried raw pieces of meat, poultry, or fish. 

This line has multiple protein choices for your cat, such as beef, chicken, salmon, whitefish, rabbit, and duck among others.

4. Morsels in Gravy Real Rabbit Recipe

This grain-free wet cat food recipe is thoughtfully crafted to support your cat’s health and satisfy their cravings. It begins with real deboned rabbit as the first ingredient, offering a rich source of high-quality protein essential for maintaining lean muscle mass and supporting active energy levels.

Ideal for cats of all life stages, the tender morsels are served in a flavorful, moisture-rich gravy that not only makes mealtime more enjoyable but also helps keep your feline friend well-hydrated, especially important for cats who don’t drink much water on their own.

In addition to protein, this recipe features antioxidant-rich vegetables and essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a strong immune system and overall well-being. Whether you're supplementing a dry food diet or serving it as a complete meal, it provides balanced nutrition that supports your cat’s daily needs.

Most importantly, it’s made with your cat’s safety and health in mind—free from corn, wheat, gluten, and artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

You can feel confident knowing you’re offering a meal that’s as wholesome as it is delicious, crafted to deliver both nourishment and peace of mind in every bite.

Pros

• Packed with Omegas. This meal is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. Pet parents are sharing great feedback and can’t stop praising the results.
• Novel protein. This recipe features a unique primary protein source—real deboned rabbit, offering a novel and highly digestible option for cats with common protein sensitivities or those needing variety in their diet.
• Rich in protein. This is a multi-protein formula that includes a rich blend of lamb broth, beef broth, beef liver, deboned lamb and dried egg whites, offering a diverse and flavorful protein profile to support your cat’s muscle health and overall well-being.

Cons

• Recipe change. Cat owners have expressed frustration over a noticeable change in the recipe, reporting that what was once a longtime favorite for their pets is now being refused, with cats turning their noses up at it. Many are disappointed by the shift in quality or taste that seems to have affected their feline companions’ interest in the food.

Takeaway

This meal offers a unique, high-protein meal featuring real deboned rabbit as the star ingredient—ideal for cats needing a novel protein source or variety in their diet.

With a blend of omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, moisture-rich gravy for hydration, and a multi-protein formula including lamb and beef components, it delivers both flavor and balanced nutrition.

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5. Kitten Recipe Cuts

Specially formulated for growing kittens, this grain-free wet food delivers both flavor and nourishment in every bite.

It starts with real deboned chicken and duck as the first ingredients, offering a rich source of high-quality animal protein to support the development of lean muscles and maintain healthy energy levels during this vital stage of growth.

The recipe features tender morsels in a savory, moisture-rich gravy that not only satisfies your kitten’s carnivorous cravings but also helps keep them hydrated—an important factor for young cats who may not drink enough water on their own.

In addition to a delicious, meaty flavor, this food provides complete and balanced nutrition, including essential vitamins, minerals, and taurine, to promote overall health, proper development, and a strong immune system.

With no grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, this wet food is a wholesome and safe choice for your kitten’s daily meals. It's an excellent way to introduce them to a healthy diet that’s as appealing as it is beneficial for their growing body.

Pros

• Nutritious and high quality. Healthy food is especially important to growing kittens. Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Kitten Recipe Cuts is protein-rich and fortified with vitamins and minerals vital in kittens’ developing muscle tissues.
• Good sized morsels. This wet kitten food comes in small chunks instead of the usual pate for kittens. They’re small enough for kittens to eat, but large enough to get them chewing, especially when teething.
• Flavor. The deboned chicken plus duck soaked in tasty gravy proved to be popular among young kitties who have tried the Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Kitten Recipe Cuts.  One pet parent said that her kittens try to finish their servings first, and then steal morsels from their siblings.

Cons

• Slightly pricey. A handful of customers find this wet kitten food somewhat expensive compared to other foods.

Takeaway

The high protein content of this wet kitten food is perfect for growing kittens.  It is vital that they are able to build strong muscle tissues.

A lot of kittens seem to love it, and as a result have developed good appetites.  While it is on the pricey side, many pet parents believe the quality ingredients are worth the price.

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Limited Ingredient Diet

This brand is especially made for felines with special dietary requirements due to food sensitivities or allergies. It is also grain-free, and contains only one type of animal protein ingredient, along with carefully selected carbohydrate sources. 

6. Grain-Free Real Duck Pate

This canned food features real deboned duck as its single-source protein, making it an excellent option for adult cats with food sensitivities or sensitive stomachs.

Specially formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition, it starts with high-quality duck as the first ingredient, providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to help maintain strong muscles and support energy levels.

It also includes antioxidants to boost immune function, along with omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Enhanced with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine, it supports your feline’s overall well-being from the inside out.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

• Helps with digestive issues. Many pet parents of cats who have various digestive problems stated that their pets’ issues were gone after switching to this particular recipe.  Their symptoms range from chronic diarrhea to vomiting. It also has probiotics that help promote healthy digestion. Some customers state that they discovered this dry cat food through their vet’s recommendation.
• Improved skin and coat. Owners of cats with skin allergies have noted a significant improvement in their cats’ skin and fur after feeding them with this food.  They noticed a lot less scratching and shiny, healthy fur on their pets. 
• They are more active. Some felines have shown more activity and just seemed much healthier since eating LID recipe. Pet parents noticed a renewed playfulness in their pets as a result of their overall health improvement.

Cons

• Quality change. Beginning in December 2023, some buyers began noticing that the food's consistency had become more soupy, and some reported a metallic or unusual odor coming from it.

Takeaway

This LID Pate is perfect for kitties with food sensitivities and digestive problems. As this canned food only has one source or animal protein, it is an easy choice for felines who have adverse reactions to certain types of meat or other ingredients.

While the empty cans might have a strong smell and require some rinsing, many still think that the health benefits that this food gives to their furry buddies are totally worth it.

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Parting Words

All in all, this brand offers a diverse range of high-quality, protein-packed options tailored to meet various feline dietary needs.

With premium ingredients like real deboned meat and grain-free formulas, many products provide the essential nutrients cats require for optimal health, including healthy skin, muscle maintenance, and hydration support.

However, some pet parents have raised concerns over recent recipe changes, particularly regarding texture and odor, which have affected their cats' appetites. While many cats thrive on Merrick’s nutritious meals, it’s important for owners to monitor their pet’s reaction to the food to ensure it continues to meet their individual preferences and dietary needs.

FAQs

Is Merrick a good brand for cat foods?

Yes! When rated for quality of ingredients, customer experience, and product variety, the Merrick brand has mostly positive ratings. Animal Food Advisor generally considers Merrick to be a good quality brand with healthy ingredients that will suit the majority of pets. They've rated the Classic range 4.5 stars out of 5, the Grain Free range 5 stars, the Backcountry range 5 stars and the Limited Ingredient Diet range 4 stars.

Where are the kitty foods by the Merrick brand made?

They're all made right here in the United States. In Hereford, Texas to be specific.

How much should I feed my feline buddy?

The amount of foods your kitty consumes depends on his life stage (whether he's a kitten, and adult, or a senior), how active he is, and what his ideal weight should be.

Which is better — wet or dry foods?

Each of these has their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, wet foods have higher moisture content and are less processed. However, wet foods have shorter shelf lives.

Dry foods, meanwhile, contain higher calories, carbs, and proteins. But, your feline companions will need to drink lots of water to compensate for the lower moisture content.

The best answer is to give your pets a healthy balance of wet and dry foods for variety. You can also offer one of these as a treat.

Is Merrick owned by Purina?

Nestle Purina Buys Merrick Pet Care. July 21, 2015 — According to a Yahoo! news report, Nestle Purina PetCare Company has purchased Merrick Pet Care in a recent buyout agreement. The company is a leading producer of natural and organic pet foods. Merrick's foods are made in the USA.

Have Merrick cat foods ever been recalled?

No. There were some dog treat recalls a decade ago, but there were never any recalls for the Merrick brand’s feline lines.

Is Merrick cat and dog food made in China?

Merrick never uses ingredients from China and all of their products are hand-crafted and produced in Hereford, Texas using locally sourced ingredients. Merrick offers their customers four promises for their pets – the quality they want, the nutrition they need, and the taste they love.