Merrick Healthy Grains Functional Dog Food Review (Dry)

Merrick Healthy Grains Functional product range consists of two recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars.

Both of these premium kibble recipes feature real-quality chicken as the primary ingredient, freeze-dried clusters with superfoods such as kale, pumpkin and green beans.

The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Merrick Healthy Grains Immune Health Real Chicken + Brown Rice Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fifth ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.

The sixth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The seventh ingredient is salmon meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.²

The eighth ingredient is ocean whitefish meal, which includes a range of both freshwater and saltwater species of fish. As a fish meal, this whitefish meal is considered a meat concentrate. It contains around 60-65% protein, which is almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself. Aside from its protein contribution, whitefish meal contributes omega-3 DHA and EPA essential fatty acids.

Whitefish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.³.

The ninth ingredient is quinoa. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is not a true cereal grain but a plant prized for its gluten-free seeds.

Compared to most other grain-type ingredients, it is high in protein (about 12-18%), dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.

From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.

This recipe has four notable exceptions.

First, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Next, miscanthus grass, also known as elephant grass. Miscanthus is a non-GMO source of crude fiber.

Also, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

We view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

This food also contains chelated minerals,  that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Merrick Healthy Grains Immune Health Real Chicken + Brown Rice Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 18.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 38.8%.

As a group, the brand features a protein content of 31% and a mean fat level of 17.9%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 39.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.

This means this Merrick product line contains near-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and near-average fat, when compared to typical dry dog food.

Merrick Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Merrick through March 2026.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Merrick Healthy Grains Functional Dry Dog Food

Merrick Healthy Grains Functional dog food uses a significant amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Highly Recommended

About

All Merrick dog foods are produced in the United States. Most of the brand’s dry and wet recipes are manufactured at one of its 3 company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. Unlike most pet food brands, Merrick owns its own cannery.

Merrick also owns Castor and Pollux Natural Petworks (a quality brand known for its certified organic dog and cat foods)… and produces Whole Earth Farms pet foods, too.

Merrick was sold to Nestle Purina PetCare in 2015.

Compare Merrick Healthy Grains Functional Dog Food

How does Merrick Healthy Grains Functional compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?