Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
by Merrick
Overall Score: 87/100
Ingredients
- Chicken (protein)
- Sweet Potato (carbohydrate)
- Potato (carbohydrate)
- Chicken Meal (protein)
- Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
- Potatoes (carbohydrate)
- Pea Protein (protein)
- Chicken Fat (protein)
- Peas (carbohydrate)
- Salmon Meal (protein)
- Dried Egg Product (protein)
- Potato Protein (other)
- Natural Flavor (additive)
- Flaxseed (fat)
- Miscanthus Grass (fiber)
- Dried Yeast (other)
- Salmon Oil (protein)
- Potassium Chloride (mineral)
- Salt (mineral)
- Choline Chloride (vitamin)
- Apples (other)
- Blueberries (other)
- MINERALS [Zinc Amino Acid Complex (other)
- Iron Amino Acid Complex (other)
- Sodium Selenite (mineral)
- Manganese Amino Acid Complex (other)
- Copper Amino Acid Complex (other)
- Calcium Iodate] (other)
- DL\u0026ndash (other)
Ingredient concerns
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 growth dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 35.6% vs 22.5% minimum, fat 16.7% vs 8.5% minimum.
Dry food, grain-free, for the puppy life stage.
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