Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs
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 Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs 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 Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs, we'll examine all 40 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 meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's 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.
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.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.
Salmon meal is a high-quality protein source that also provides omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, as well as overall wellness.
Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.
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.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Dried yeast is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It supports a healthy immune system, promotes skin and coat health, and aids in maintaining overall well-being in your dog.
Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
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.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.
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.
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.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
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.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that helps your dog's body convert fat into energy, promoting a healthy weight and supporting their overall well-being.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
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.
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.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
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.
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.
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic form of vitamin K, which plays a vital role in blood clotting and bone metabolism for your dog's overall health.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
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.
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.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The Crude Protein content at a minimum of 30.00% is primarily provided by the deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and salmon meal listed in the ingredients. Chicken meal and turkey meal are concentrated forms of protein because they are rendered and contain less water than whole meats. Salmon meal also contributes not only protein but also omega fatty acids.
Crude Fat at a minimum of 12.00% is likely to come from the chicken fat, salmon meal, and the oils such as sunflower oil and salmon oil included in the recipe. Chicken fat is a common source of animal fat in dog foods and is rich in energy. Salmon oil is also a good source of essential fatty acids, which are beneficial for a dog's skin and coat health.
The maximum Crude Fiber content of 3.50% is relatively low, which is typical for grain-free formulas. This fiber likely comes from the sweet potatoes, peas, and possibly the dried yeast. Sweet potatoes and peas are both good sources of dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health.
The calorie content of the food is 3603.00 kcal per kilogram. This energy value is a result of the combined contributions of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the diet. The high-quality proteins and fats are calorie-dense and provide the bulk of the energy, while the carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and potatoes also contribute to the overall caloric content.
Overall, the ingredients in the Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs are formulated to provide a balanced diet for senior dogs, with a focus on high-quality protein sources and fats that are appropriate for their age and activity level, while still maintaining a moderate calorie content to prevent weight gain in less active senior dogs.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Senior Dogs costs approximately $3.74 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 | $22.96 |
| 10 lbs | $38.61 |
| 15 lbs | $52.33 |
| 20 lbs | $64.94 |
| 30 lbs | $88.02 |
| 40 lbs | $109.21 |
| 50 lbs | $129.11 |
| 60 lbs | $148.02 |
| 70 lbs | $166.17 |
| 80 lbs | $183.67 |
| 90 lbs | $200.63 |
| 100 lbs | $217.13 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have expressed satisfaction with the Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe for Senior Dogs, highlighting that their older pets, including a 14-year-old dog and a 24-year-old dog, enjoy the taste and have shown improvements in energy and mobility. The high-quality ingredients and added fiber are appreciated by pet owners seeking to maintain their senior dogs' health.
While some dogs have shown a preference for this formula, others have not taken to it, which is typical as dogs have individual tastes. However, many pet owners report that their dogs with grain allergies have benefited from this grain-free option, and improvements in coat softness and overall health have been observed.
A German Shepherd owner noted that the kibble size was perfect for her dog, and it was eagerly consumed, although she wished the pieces were larger to encourage slower eating. On the other hand, some customers found the kibble too small for their large breeds, but this issue was resolved by mixing it with larger kibble or using a slow feed dish.
There are reports of positive changes in dogs' digestive health after switching to this food, with owners noticing healthier stools and better digestion overall. This suggests that the formula is beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those requiring a higher fiber diet.
Despite a few negative experiences with the food not agreeing with some dogs, the overall sentiment is that Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe is a palatable and healthy choice for senior dogs, with many customers planning to continue feeding it to their pets.
