Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Hearty Chicken Thigh Stew Review
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Review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Hearty Chicken Thigh Stew
According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Hearty Chicken Thigh Stew is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Hearty Chicken Thigh Stew, we'll examine all 42 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Chicken broth is a flavorful, hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more palatable. It also contains essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to support your dog's overall health and well-being.
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious and easily digestible source of complex carbohydrates for your dog. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, promoting a healthy digestive system and immune function.
Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and are also high in fiber which can help keep your dog's digestive system running smoothly.
Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.
Dried whey protein concentrate is a high-quality protein source derived from milk. It is rich in essential amino acids and provides nutrients necessary for muscle development, tissue repair, and overall health. Dried whey protein concentrate is easily digestible and can be beneficial for dogs with digestive sensitivities or allergies.
Xanthan gum is a natural thickening agent used in dog food to improve its texture and consistency. While it doesn't provide direct nutritional benefits, it can make the food more palatable and appealing for your dog.
Gum ghatti is a natural, plant-based binder and thickener that can help improve the texture of your dog's food while also acting as a source of dietary fiber for healthy digestion.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Canola oil is a healthy source of fat that provides essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, to support your dog's skin, coat, and overall health. It is also a good source of energy and can help improve the taste and texture of your dog's food.
Powdered cellulose is a natural source of dietary fiber that promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain your dog's weight by providing a feeling of fullness without adding extra calories.
Sodium phosphate is commonly used as a stabilizer in wet pet food products, helping maintain texture and prevent separation of the ingredients.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the guar bean, used to improve the texture of your dog's food. It also serves as a source of soluble fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and support overall gastrointestinal health.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.
Iron amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of iron for dogs, which supports red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body. It helps maintain overall health and vitality for your furry friend.
Manganese amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, an essential trace mineral that supports healthy bones, joints, and metabolism. This ingredient ensures that your dog receives the proper amount of manganese for optimal health.
Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and promotes red blood cell production.
Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of iodine in your dog's diet. Iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of your dog's thyroid gland.
Cobalt glucoheptonate is a highly bioavailable source of cobalt, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in the production of vitamin B12. This ingredient supports your dog's overall health and well-being, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and vitality.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help to maintain a healthy skin and coat in dogs, while also supporting heart health and immune function.
Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that not only adds flavor to dog food, but also offers numerous health benefits. It is a natural antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe your dog's digestive system.
Sage is a natural herb that can be added to dog food for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help support your dog's digestive health and overall immune system.
Thyme is an aromatic herb that not only adds flavor to your dog's food, but also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These benefits can support your dog's immune system, digestive health, and overall well-being.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 9.00%: The primary source of protein in this pet food is likely the chicken, as it is listed first among the ingredients. Chicken is known to be a high-quality source of protein which is essential for the growth and maintenance of muscles and other body tissues in pets. The dried egg product also contributes to the protein content, as eggs are rich in protein. The dried whey protein concentrate is another ingredient that would contribute significantly to the overall protein content.
Crude Fat (min) of 5.00%: The crude fat content is most likely coming from the chicken, as it naturally contains fats, particularly in the thighs which are known to be fattier than other parts of the chicken. Canola oil and flaxseed oil are also added fats in the recipe, which increase the fat content and provide essential fatty acids that are important for a pet's skin, coat health, and overall energy.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.00%: Fiber in this pet food likely comes from the vegetables included in the ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas. These ingredients are known to be good sources of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. Potatoes and powdered cellulose may also contribute to the fiber content. Fiber is important for maintaining good digestive health and can help to keep the gastrointestinal system running smoothly.
Calories of 831.00 per kg: The caloric content of the food is a measure of the energy it provides. The number of calories is influenced by the amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the food. The chicken and fats like canola and flaxseed oil are calorie-dense ingredients that contribute to the overall energy content of the food. Carbohydrates from sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas also contribute to the calorie count, although to a lesser extent than fats.
