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

by Merrick
Overall Score: 92/100
Ingredients
- Deboned Salmon (protein)
- Salmon Meal (protein)
- Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
- Potatoes (carbohydrate)
- Peas (carbohydrate)
- Whitefish Meal (protein)
- Pork Fat Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols (protein)
- Potato Protein (other)
- Natural Flavor (additive)
- Flaxseed (fat)
- Miscanthus Grass (fiber)
- Sunflower Oil (fat)
- Dried Yeast (other)
- Potassium Chloride (mineral)
- Salt (mineral)
- Apples (other)
- Blueberries (other)
- Choline Chloride (vitamin)
- 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)
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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