Merrick Grain Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato

by Merrick

Overall Score: 94/100

Ingredients

1. Deboned Duck (protein)
2. Chicken Meal (protein)
3. Turkey Meal (protein)
4. Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
5. Potatoes (carbohydrate)
6. Peas (carbohydrate)
7. Chicken Fat (protein)
8. Whitefish Meal (protein)
9. Potato Protein (other)
10. Deboned Chicken (protein)
11. Pea Protein (protein)
12. Natural Flavor (additive)
13. Flaxseed (fat)
14. Sunflower Oil (fat)
15. Potassium Chloride (mineral)
16. Salt (mineral)
17. Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal (other)
18. Choline Chloride (vitamin)
19. Apples (other)
20. Blueberries (other)
21. Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex (other)
22. Zinc Amino Acid Complex (mineral)
23. Zinc Sulfate (mineral)
24. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
25. Manganese Amino Acid Complex (other)
26. Copper Amino Acid Complex (other)
27. Potassium Iodide (other)
28. Cobalt Proteinate (other)
29. Cobalt Carbonate) (other)
30. Taurine (additive)
31. Yucca Schidigera Extract (additive)
32. Mixed Tocopherols for Freshness (other)
33. Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement (other)
34. Vitamin B12 Supplement (vitamin)
35. Riboflavin Supplement (vitamin)
36. Vitamin A Acetate (vitamin)
37. d-Calcium Pantothenate (other)
38. Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin)
39. Folic Acid (vitamin)
40. Niacin (vitamin)
41. Biotin (vitamin)
42. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (other)
43. Vitamin D3 Supplement) Citric Acid for Freshness (other)
44. Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product (other)
45. Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product (other)
46. Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product (other)
47. Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGuaranteed Analysis:\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Crude Protein (min) 34% (other)
48. Crude Fat (min) 17% (other)
49. Crude Fiber (max) 3.50% (other)
50. Moisture (max) 11% (other)
51. Taurine* (min) 0.17% (other)
52. Omega-6 fatty acids* (min) 3.00% (other)
53. Omega-3 fatty acids* (min) 0.80% (other)
54. Glucosamine* (min) 1200 mg/kg (other)
55. so optimal feeding amounts may vary with age (other)
56. size and activity level. Please use the information below as an initial recommendation only and adjust when needed (other)

Ingredient concerns

• Peas (low concern): Peas and other legumes have been associated with the FDA investigation into a potential link between grain-free diets high in legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While a definitive causal relationship has not been established, the FDA continues to investigate. Peas are frequently used in grain-free formulations as a primary carbohydrate and protein source.
• Pea Protein (medium concern): Plant-based protein concentrates like pea protein can artificially inflate the total protein percentage on guaranteed analysis without providing the same amino acid profile as animal proteins. Associated with the FDA investigation into grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, though a causal link has not been definitively established.
• Sodium Selenite (low concern): Sodium selenite is an inorganic form of selenium with a narrower safety margin than organic forms (such as selenium yeast). It has lower bioavailability and higher potential for toxicity at elevated levels compared to organic selenium sources. Some premium pet foods use selenium yeast instead as a safer alternative.

Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis)

On a dry-matter basis (water removed for a fair wet-vs-dry comparison): protein 35.6%, fat 16.7%, fiber 0%, ash 7.8%, carbohydrate 40%. By calories: 30.6% from protein, 34.9% from fat, 34.4% from carbohydrate.

AAFCO compliance

This food meets the AAFCO adult dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 35.6% vs 18% minimum, fat 16.7% vs 5.5% minimum.

Dry food, grain-free, for the adult life stage.

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