Merrick Grain Free Wilderness Blend Review
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Review of Merrick Grain Free Wilderness Blend
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 Grain Free Wilderness Blend 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 Grain Free Wilderness Blend, 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.
Duck is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, which support muscle development and energy in dogs.
Beef broth is a flavorful and hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more appealing and easier to digest. It also provides essential nutrients and can help support overall health and well-being.
Vegetable broth provides not only hydration but also essential nutrients and flavor to make the meal more appealing to dogs.
Venison is a lean, high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development and maintenance. It is also a novel protein, making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
Buffalo is a lean and nutrient-dense protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It is also easily digestible and a great alternative for dogs with allergies to common protein sources.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.
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.
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.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
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.
Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive system.
Cassia gum is a natural thickening and gelling agent derived from the seeds of the Cassia plant. It helps improve the texture of dog food, making it more appealing to your pet. It is also a source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and overall gastrointestinal health.
Sodium phosphate is commonly used as a stabilizer in wet pet food products, helping maintain texture and prevent separation of the ingredients.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Salmon oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support your dog's skin and coat health, immune system, and cognitive function.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.
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.
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.
Caramel color is a natural coloring agent used to enhance the visual appeal of the dog food without impacting its nutritional value.
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 iodate is an important source of iodine, which can help maintain your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolic health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The Crude Protein minimum of 8.00% is largely contributed by the first ingredients listed: Deboned Duck, Deboned Venison, Deboned Buffalo, and Dried Egg Product. These are all high-protein ingredients, with the deboned meats particularly being excellent sources of animal protein.
The Crude Fat minimum of 5.00% is likely derived from the meats as well, but also from the Salmon Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Flaxseed Oil. These oils are common sources of dietary fats in pet foods, which are essential for energy and support of skin and coat health.
The Crude Fiber maximum of 1.40% most likely comes from the Peas, Potatoes, Carrots, and Apples. These ingredients are known to contain dietary fibers, which are essential for good digestive health. However, the relatively low percentage indicates that this is not a high-fiber food.
The Calories of 1173.00 per kg are derived from all the ingredients, but particularly from those that provide carbohydrates (like Potatoes), proteins (like the deboned meats and Dried Egg Product), and fats (like the oils). These are the primary macronutrients that provide energy, with fats being the most calorie-dense.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Grain Free Wilderness Blend costs approximately $5.11 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $93.42 |
| 10 lbs | $157.12 |
| 15 lbs | $212.96 |
| 20 lbs | $264.24 |
| 30 lbs | $358.15 |
| 40 lbs | $444.39 |
| 50 lbs | $525.35 |
| 60 lbs | $602.33 |
| 70 lbs | $676.15 |
| 80 lbs | $747.37 |
| 90 lbs | $816.40 |
| 100 lbs | $883.53 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Many customers are pleased that Merrick Grain Free Wilderness Blend is back, as their dogs love the flavor and eat it enthusiastically. Several reviews mentioned that this particular blend is ideal for dogs with food allergies, especially those who are allergic to chicken. Some customers use this product as a topper to encourage their dogs to eat other foods.
However, a few customers expressed concerns about the size of the meat chunks, which they found too large for small dogs. They had to cut the chunks into smaller pieces before feeding their dogs. Despite this, their dogs enjoyed the food.
Some customers were disappointed with the amount of gravy compared to the meat content, but their dogs still enjoyed the food. There were also comments about the food being more watery than before and having less meat. Despite these changes, most dogs still seemed to enjoy the food.
A few dogs did not like the food at all, refusing to eat it or experiencing digestive issues after consuming it. However, these cases seem to be exceptions rather than the norm.
Many dogs, including those who are typically picky eaters, really enjoy this food. Some customers specifically mentioned that their dogs are picky but still love this blend. Customers also appreciate the quality of the ingredients, with the first three listed being meat.
In conclusion, while there were some criticisms about the size of the meat chunks and the ratio of gravy to meat, most dogs seem to enjoy Merrick Grain Free Wilderness Blend. It appears to be particularly popular among dogs with food allergies and picky eaters.
