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Purrfect Bistro Braised Pork, Carrot & Barley Grilled in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Merrick

Purrfect Bistro Braised Pork, Carrot & Barley Grilled in Gravy Wet Cat Food

Verified Aug 30, 2026

Cat · Wet Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high-moisture, chunk-in-gravy wet food for adult cats, featuring pork as the primary animal protein along with chicken, liver, and added egg for extra protein quality. Carrots and barley provide some carbohydrate and fiber, while added taurine, vitamins, and minerals make it a complete and balanced diet for adult maintenance. Its gravy-style texture can work well for cats who prefer softer, saucier meals or need extra hydration from their food.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.8 out of 10

Solid Option

Overall, this is a very good quality wet food for adult cats that offers multiple animal protein sources and a high moisture content. The nutrient profile is appropriate for adult maintenance, and it is fully AAFCO-formulated, which helps ensure it meets essential nutrient needs. It is a good everyday option for healthy adult cats that do well with pork and chicken-based diets, though it’s not ideal for cats with known chicken or egg allergies.

Nutritional profile 7.4
Ingredient composition 7.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Hydration Support
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Multiple animal protein sources (pork, chicken, liver, egg) help provide a complete amino acid profile for cats.
  • Very high moisture content (82%) supports hydration, which is especially helpful for cats that don’t drink a lot of water on their own.
  • Complete and balanced for adult maintenance per AAFCO, so it can be fed as a sole diet for adult cats.
  • Avoids corn and soy, which some owners prefer, while including barley and carrots for additional carbohydrates and fiber.

Considerations

  • Contains chicken and egg, which are common allergens for some cats, so it would not suit cats with known sensitivities to those ingredients.
  • Protein and fat levels are on the moderate side for a wet food, which is fine for many adult cats but may be a bit low for very active or underweight cats needing a calorie-dense diet.
  • Includes wheat gluten, which is safe nutritionally but may not be appropriate for cats who have had issues with gluten-containing diets in the past.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Pork broth, pork, wheat gluten, chicken, liver, carrots, barley, natural flavor, egg product, potassium chloride, magnesium proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, xanthan gum, tricalcium phosphate, carrageenan, taurine, choline chloride, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin E supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 supplement, biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin A supplement, folic acid (Vitamin B-9), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 supplement, salt

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Pork Broth
Pork broth is typically used in pet foods and treats as a flavoring, palatant and moisture enhancer to improve aroma and encourage eating, and may contribute small amounts of protein, fat and minerals depending on preparation. It can help increase palatability and hydration, but owners should watch for high sodium or fat content and added seasonings (e.g., onion, garlic, or other additives) and avoid it for pets on sodium‑ or fat‑restricted diets or with pork sensitivities.
02
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
View ingredient
03
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is a concentrated plant protein commonly used in dry pet foods as a protein booster, binder and texture improver to help form kibble and extend meat-based ingredients. It provides digestible protein for dogs and cats but is low in certain essential amino acids (notably lysine) and lacks animal-specific nutrients like taurine, so it should not be the sole protein source; pets with wheat or gluten sensitivities may also experience allergic or gastrointestinal reactions.
04
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
View ingredient
05
Liver
Liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat used in pet foods as a high-quality protein source, natural flavor enhancer, and a concentrated supply of vitamins and minerals—particularly vitamin A, B vitamins (including B12 and folate), iron and copper. It offers important micronutrients for both dogs and cats but should be fed in controlled amounts because excessive liver can cause vitamin A (and sometimes copper) toxicity, and raw liver carries food-safety risks unless properly processed.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
10.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
2.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
864
kcal / Kg
73
kcal / Can
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Chunks In Gravy
Processing method Canned
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Braised Pork, Carrot & Barley Recipe Grilled in Sauce is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult cats.

Brand

Merrick offers premium dog and cat food made with real, whole ingredients and regional produce. The brand is known for its recipes such as 'Grain Free', 'Backcountry', and 'Classic'. Merrick targets pet owners seeking natural and grain-free diets for their pets, with an emphasis on U.S.-sourced meats and fresh, farm-to-bowl ingredients.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Merrick Pet Care
Parent company Nestlé Purina PetCare
Founded 1988
Headquarters Amarillo, Texas, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Texas
Manufacturing oversight

Merrick Pet Care manufactures its food in company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. The company maintains in-house quality control and safety testing, adhering to USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards. Merrick emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and audits suppliers for quality and safety.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Merrick Purrfect Bistro Braised Pork, Carrot & Barley Grilled in Gravy Wet Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
SOLID PICK.
7.8 /10 Grade B
Purrfect Bistro Braised Pork, Carrot & Barley Grilled in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Merrick · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Merrick ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Merrick. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.