Merrick® Lil' Plates® Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Wet Dog Food - Natural, 3.5 oz

by Merrick

Overall Score: 98/100

Ingredients

1. DEBONED CHICKEN (protein)
2. CHICKEN BROTH (protein)
3. TURKEY BROTH (protein)
4. CHICKEN LIVER (protein)
5. DEBONED TURKEY (protein)
6. DRIED EGG WHITES (other)
7. POTATO STARCH (carbohydrate)
8. POTATOES (carbohydrate)
9. PEAS (carbohydrate)
10. APPLES (other)
11. RED PEPPERS (other)
12. GUAR GUM (additive)
13. SUNFLOWER OIL (fat)
14. SALMON OIL (PRESERVED WITH MIXED TOCOPHEROLS) (protein)
15. TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE (other)
16. SODIUM PHOSPHATE (other)
17. SALT (mineral)
18. NATURAL FLAVOR (additive)
19. POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (mineral)
20. MINERALS (ZINC AMINO ACID CHELATE (other)
21. IRON AMINO ACID CHELATE (mineral)
22. COPPER AMINO ACID CHELATE (mineral)
23. MANGANESE AMINO ACID CHELATE (mineral)
24. SODIUM SELENITE (mineral)
25. COBALT AMINO ACID CHELATE (other)
26. POTASSIUM IODIDE) (other)
27. GROUND FLAXSEED (fat)
28. CHOLINE CHLORIDE (vitamin)
29. VITAMINS (VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT (other)
30. THIAMINE MONONITRATE (vitamin)
31. NIACIN SUPPLEMENT (vitamin)
32. d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (other)
33. VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT (vitamin)
34. RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT (vitamin)
35. BIOTIN (vitamin)
36. VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT (vitamin)
37. PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (other)
38. VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT (vitamin)
39. FOLIC ACID) (other)
40. ROSEMARY (preservative)
41. SAGE (other)
42. THYME (other)
43. XANTHAN GUM (additive)
44. ROSEMARY EXTRACT (preservative)

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 47.2%, fat 19.4%, fiber 7.8%, ash 38.9%, carbohydrate 0%. By calories: 50% from protein, 50% from fat, 0% from carbohydrate.

AAFCO compliance

This food meets the AAFCO growth dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 47.2% vs 22.5% minimum, fat 19.4% vs 8.5% minimum.

Wet food, grain-free, for the puppy life stage.

Cost to feed

About $27.50 per day to feed (ultra-premium price tier); $34.37 per 1,000 kcal (calorie estimate).

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