The scores
Weruva Cat Person: B (78/100)
Merrick: B (78/100)
An exact tie at 78 points. Both sit solidly in the B tier alongside Instinct and Nutro, and two points above Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo. The identical score tells you neither formula cuts corners — but each allocates its ingredient budget in distinctly different ways.
How the ingredients compare
Here are the first five ingredients side by side:
Weruva: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Turkey
Merrick: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
The overlap is striking — chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal appear in both top threes, giving each formula a strong animal protein foundation. The split happens at positions four and five. Weruva fills both remaining spots with peas and turkey, pushing its animal protein count to four out of five. Merrick swaps in sweet potatoes at position four, choosing a higher-quality starch over a second legume, then drops peas to fifth. Both are grain-free, but Merrick diversifies its carbohydrate base while Weruva doubles down on protein density.
Where Weruva stands out
Dual omega-3 sources. Weruva includes both salmon oil and flaxseed in its formula — a marine-sourced EPA/DHA paired with a plant-based ALA. This gives cats two distinct pathways to omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and inflammatory support. Merrick includes salmon oil but not flaxseed, relying on a single omega-3 delivery system.
Dried egg for amino acid completeness. Eggs are among the most bioavailable protein sources available, with a near-perfect amino acid profile for cats. Weruva’s inclusion of dried egg adds a layer of protein quality that goes beyond what the named meat meals provide. It’s a thoughtful addition to an already protein-dense formula.
More animal protein in the top five. Four of Weruva’s first five ingredients are animal-based (chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, turkey). Merrick has three. For obligate carnivores that thrive on animal protein, that extra named meat in the top five is a meaningful difference in protein source density. Shop on Amazon →
Where Merrick stands out
Sweet potatoes over legume starches. By placing sweet potatoes at position four instead of another legume, Merrick avoids the heavy pea/legume concentration that has drawn scrutiny in the grain-free cat food conversation. Sweet potatoes provide complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene, and dietary fiber without the lectin and phytate concerns associated with peas. Weruva’s peas at position four mean its carbohydrate base is entirely legume-derived.
Chicory root prebiotics. Merrick’s formula includes dried chicory root, a source of inulin that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Prebiotics support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption — a functional ingredient that complements the overall formula rather than just adding bulk. Weruva doesn’t include a dedicated prebiotic fiber source of this type.
Cranberries for urinary health. Merrick adds cranberries, which contain proanthocyanidins that may help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract wall. For cats prone to urinary issues — one of the most common feline health concerns — this is a practical functional ingredient that Weruva doesn’t offer. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
This is a genuine tie between two thoughtfully formulated cat foods. If you want maximum animal protein density plus dual omega-3 pathways from salmon oil and flaxseed, Weruva Cat Person is the stronger pick. If you prefer a formula that diversifies away from heavy legume reliance with sweet potatoes and adds functional ingredients like chicory root prebiotics and cranberries for urinary support, Merrick is the better fit. Both are clean, grain-free B-grade formulas — and both are easy to recommend for cats without specific dietary restrictions.
Read our full reviews of Weruva and Merrick for the complete ingredient breakdowns.