Merrick Lil Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

by Merrick

Overall Score: 95/100

Ingredients

1. Chicken (protein)
2. Turkey (protein)
3. Sweet Potato (carbohydrate)
4. Potato (carbohydrate)
5. Chicken Meal (protein)
6. Turkey Meal (protein)
7. Potatoes (carbohydrate)
8. Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
9. Peas (carbohydrate)
10. Chicken Fat (protein)
11. Natural Flavor (additive)
12. Whitefish Meal (protein)
13. Miscanthus Grass (fiber)
14. Dried Yeast (other)
15. Flaxseed (fat)
16. Potassium Chloride (mineral)
17. Salt (mineral)
18. Choline Chloride (vitamin)
19. Apples (other)
20. Salmon Oil (protein)
21. Blueberries (other)
22. MINERALS [Zinc Amino Acid Complex (other)
23. Iron Amino Acid Complex (other)
24. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
25. Manganese Amino Acid Complex (other)
26. CopperAmino Acid Complex (other)
27. Calcium Iodate] (other)
28. DL-Methionine (other)
29. Sunflower Oil (fat)
30. Taurine (additive)
31. VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement (other)
32. Vitamin B-12 Supplement (other)
33. Vitamin A Supplement (vitamin)
34. Niacin (Vitamin B-3) (other)
35. Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1) (other)
36. Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5) (other)
37. Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9) (other)
38. Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2) (other)
39. Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K) (other)
40. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6) (other)
41. Biotin (Vitamin B-7) (other)
42. Vitamin D-3 Supplement] (other)
43. Mixed Tocopherols For Freshness (other)
44. Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product (additive)
45. Rosemary Extract. B278423\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGuaranteed Analysis:\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrude Protein (min) 32.0% (other)
46. Crude Fat (min) 16.0% (other)
47. Crude Fiber (max) 3.5% (other)
48. Moisture (max) 11% (other)
49. Taurine (min)* 0.17% (other)
50. Omega-6 fatty acid (min)* 2.8% (other)
51. Omega-3 fatty acid (min)* 0.3% (other)
52. Glucosamine (min)* 400 mg/kg (other)
53. Chondroitin Sulfate (min)* 400 mg/kg. *Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles (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.
• 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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