Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Review
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Review of Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe
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 Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe 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 Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe, we'll examine all 38 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.
Lamb is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It's also a good option for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources, such as chicken or beef.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whitefish meal is a highly digestible protein source that also provides essential omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health.
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.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
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.
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
Starting with the Crude Protein (min) of 30.00%, this value is largely contributed by the deboned lamb, chicken meal, turkey meal, and whitefish meal. These ingredients are high in protein which is essential for muscle growth and repair in pets.
The Crude Fat (min) of 17.00% is primarily derived from the chicken fat and salmon oil in the ingredient list. Fats are an essential part of a balanced diet for pets, providing a concentrated source of energy and aiding in the absorption of certain vitamins.
The Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50% likely comes from the sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, flaxseed, apples, and blueberries. Dietary fiber can help with digestive health and can help to keep pets feeling full, which can prevent overeating.
The Calories of 3705.00 per kg is a measure of the total energy content of the food, which comes from all the ingredients, but primarily from the protein and fat content. The lamb, chicken meal, turkey meal, chicken fat, and salmon oil are likely the main contributors to the calorie content due to their high protein and fat content.
The remaining ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and other supplements are not typically included in the guaranteed analysis, but they play important roles in the overall health and wellbeing of pets. For example, the various amino acid complexes and vitamins help support immune function, skin and coat health, and overall metabolic function.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe costs approximately $3.56 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 | $20.53 |
| 10 lbs | $34.52 |
| 15 lbs | $46.79 |
| 20 lbs | $58.06 |
| 30 lbs | $78.69 |
| 40 lbs | $97.64 |
| 50 lbs | $115.43 |
| 60 lbs | $132.34 |
| 70 lbs | $148.56 |
| 80 lbs | $164.21 |
| 90 lbs | $179.38 |
| 100 lbs | $194.13 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Many customers have been using Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe for years and have found it to be beneficial for their dogs' health. Dogs enjoy the different flavors like lamb, beef, and chicken, and the food seems to aid in digestion. Despite the inclusion of peas and potatoes, customers appreciate that Merrick uses fewer of these ingredients compared to other brands.
Some customers have expressed disappointment over a recent change in the recipe, which now includes chicken as the second ingredient. This has caused issues for dogs with chicken allergies. Despite this, some customers have found that the Salmon/Sweet Potato variety is still chicken-free and suits their dogs' dietary needs.
Many dogs seem to enjoy the taste of the Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe, with owners noting their pets' enthusiasm for meal times. The kibble size is also appreciated, particularly for smaller breeds. Some customers have had success with the Merrick brand in managing their dogs' allergies and improving their skin condition.
While some dogs have not taken to the change in flavor, others have thrived on the Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe. The food has been praised for its quality and its ability to cater to dogs with specific dietary needs. Despite some negative experiences, many customers continue to trust Merrick for their dogs' nutritional needs.
Some customers have praised the quality of the ingredients used in the Merrick Grain Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe. There's a particular appreciation for the absence of chicken meal, which is a common allergen for many dogs. This has made the product a preferred choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs and specific dietary needs.
Customers have also appreciated the variety of flavors offered by the Merrick brand. The Lamb and Sweet Potato variety has been particularly well-received, with customers noting improvements in their dogs' health and vitality. Despite the higher price point, many customers feel the benefits of the food are worth the investment.
