The old Cowboy Cookout canned formula was one of the healthiest foods on the market to feed cats. It had high protein, moderate fat, and low carbs. However, the new formula is nothing like the old formula. The percent of calories from carbohydrates has risen from 5% carbs to 18.9% carbs. Ideally, cats should have less than 10% carbs in their diets.
The other formula that Merricks released the as-fed analysis for, Surf & Turf, was better in the carbs department (carbs only rose from 3% to 4.9%), but the phosphorus content was raised from 233 mg per 100 kcal to 638 mg per 100 kcal. Cats should not have more than 250 mg per 100 kcal of phosphorus in their diet.
I am incredibly disappointed in the new formulas and the reduction in the quality of ingredients. I've unfortunately had to switch to Weruva, which is rather more expensive than Merrick's, but the only other food I can find that has a similar nutritional content to the old Merricks that isn't all fish. I've seen how a well balanced diet (high protein, moderate fat, low carbs) has greatly benefited my cat, and I don't want to go backwards with his health, especially since he's now 12 years old and healthy as can be. Unfortunately, the new formula of this food now makes it less healthy than even some grocery store brands. If you can't afford something like Weruva, you're better off buying a low carb, lower phosphorus food like Sheba pates that include byproducts but have a good protein/fat/carb ration than feeding this new Merrick's formula.
Check out www.catinfo.org for the nutritional analysis of other canned cat foods (but note that the Merrick's values are for the old formulas).
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