Merrick Pet Care Introduces Two New Diet Solutions for Pets at Global Pet Expo

ORLANDO, Fla., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on a heritage of innovation in grain-free, high-protein nutrition for pets, Amarillo, Texas-based Merrick Pet Care Inc. introduces two new grain-free, high-protein diets to meet the needs of more pets at this week's Global Pet Expo, the pet industry's largest annual trade show. The company's two new diets are Merrick Backcountry, an all-natural ancestral canine diet, and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet, a line of simple recipes for dogs and cats with ingredient intolerances or food sensitivities.

"We know pet parents want the very best for their pets, which is why we focus on making the best pet food ever that delivers on quality, nutrition and taste," said Mark Sapir, vice president of marketing for Merrick Pet Care. "Our new diets, Merrick Backcountry and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet, offer new best-in-class options for pet parents seeking specialized nutrition solutions for their pets."

Merrick Backcountry: An Ultimate Canine Ancestral Diet

New Merrick Backcountry is an all-natural, grain-free ancestral diet that includes four kibble recipes featuring freeze-dried raw pieces, as well as seven canned recipes.

"Interest in ancestral canine diets is on the rise as pet parents seek ways to feed their dogs as they may have eaten in the wild," said Sapir. "Merrick Backcountry is an ultimate ancestral diet that brings together many of the mega trends in the pet food aisle, from freeze-dried raw to exotic protein blends to grain-free, high-protein recipes made from real deboned meat."

Four new Merrick Backcountry dry recipes deliver a perfect combination of protein-rich, grain-free kibble plus real whole pieces of raw, freeze-dried meat, fish or poultry. Recipes include:

• Great Plains Red Recipe with beef, lamb and rabbit + a beef freeze-dried raw inclusion (38 percent protein, poultry-free)
• Game Bird Recipe with turkey duck and quail + a chicken freeze-dried raw inclusion (38 percent protein)
• Pacific Catch Recipe with salmon, whitefish and trout + a salmon and whitefish freeze-dried raw inclusion (34 percent protein, poultry-free)
• Puppy Recipe made with chicken and salmon + a chicken freeze-dried raw inclusion (30 percent protein)

The freeze-dried raw protein pieces are mixed into the kibble in a pure state to provide a nutritional boost, easy digestion and the fresh taste dogs love. The pieces are made with high quality whole pieces of meat, poultry or fish and contain no montmorillonite clay. And, they go through rigorous testing and a proven process called High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to ensure food safety.

Complementing the Merrick Backcountry dry recipes are five grain-free stews with exotic protein blends like rabbit, venison and salmon; fresh cut vegetables; and hearty gravy. And, two 96 percent grain-free loaf recipes are available in beef or chicken.

Keeping It Simple with New Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet for Dogs & Cats

Increasingly pet parents are seeking the simplicity of a diet limited in proteins, ingredients and grains for their cats and dogs, especially for those pets with ingredient intolerances or food sensitivities.

"Many pet parents look for specialized diets because they want both the presence of positive, simple ingredients but also the absence of negatives – those select ingredients they may be avoiding for their pet," said Sapir.

"Our new Limited Ingredient Diet keeps it simple with optimal nutrition for food-sensitive cats and dogs," he continued. "Our recipes are made with a single source of animal protein, starting with high quality real deboned meat, fish or poultry as the first ingredient, a simple list of only select essential ingredients, and no grains or gluten ingredients."

For dogs, Merrick is introducing four new grain-free dry recipes single-source animal protein options including:

• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Turkey + Sweet Potato Recipe (26 percent protein)
• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe (26 percent protein)
• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe (25 percent protein, poultry-free)
• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe (25 percent protein, poultry-free)

Four Limited Ingredient Diet canned recipes for dogs complement the kibble recipes, in flavors including turkey, salmon, duck and lamb.

While limited ingredient diets are growing within natural pet food overall, according to Packaged Facts, 38 percent of pet parents are buying food for a cat with food allergies or intolerances. To meet the needs of these cats, Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet has cat food options including two grain-free kibble recipes:

• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Salmon Recipe (32 percent protein, poultry-free)
• Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Turkey (32 percent protein)

Four Limited Ingredient Diet grain-free canned pate recipes provide necessary moisture for cats, in flavors including turkey, salmon, duck and chicken.

Merrick Backcountry and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet recipes will be available in stores this spring at Petco, independent pet supply stores and online.

About Merrick Pet Care
Founded in 1988, Amarillo-based Merrick Pet Care, Inc. is a leader in natural and organic pet food. With a mission to create the most nutritious and wholesome food, Merrick families take better care of their pets by cooking up nutritious real whole foods for pets. All foods are made in the USA using only the freshest ingredients grown by local farmers and no ingredients from China. The company offers a wide variety of dry and wet foods, as well as treats, that are available nationally at independent pet specialty stores, Petco, and online via select retailers. In April 2012, Merrick Pet Care Inc. acquired Castor & Pollux and its ORGANIX, Natural Ultramix and Good Buddy food and treats for pets. These brands are available at PetSmart, natural grocery, and online via select retailers. For more information, visit www.merrrickpetcare.com or www.castorpolluxpet.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A full list of 2015 new product information, fact sheets, and photos are available by request.

To schedule an interview or for more information, contact Betsy Berger at [email protected] or by phone at 847-865-9723.

Media Contact:
Betsy Berger, Communications Manager
Merrick Pet Care
[email protected] 
Office: 847-865-9723
Cell: 847-308-1762

SOURCE Merrick Pet Care

Related Links

http://www.merrickpetcare.com