Merrick Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed 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 Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe For Small Breed 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 Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe For Small Breed Dogs, we'll examine all 44 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.
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.
Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.
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.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
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.
Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product is a probiotic ingredient that supports your dog's digestive and immune health. This beneficial bacteria can help maintain a healthy balance of microflora in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, promoting regular digestion and overall wellbeing.
The dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product is a probiotic that aids in maintaining a healthy gut flora.
Dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product is a probiotic ingredient that helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria in your dog, promoting optimal digestion and immune system function.
Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product is a beneficial probiotic ingredient used in dog food. It helps support a healthy digestive system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This probiotic also aids in nutrient absorption and can improve your dog's overall immune system function.
Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product is a probiotic that can aid in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut, supporting overall digestive health.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis of 32.00% minimum crude protein is likely attributed to the high inclusion of animal-based protein sources such as deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and whitefish meal. Chicken meal and turkey meal are concentrated sources of protein because they are rendered and contain less water than whole meats. The inclusion of chicken liver also adds to the protein content, as well as providing essential nutrients.
Crude fat at a minimum of 16.00% is primarily coming from the chicken fat, which is a high-quality source of animal fat that is palatable and provides energy for dogs. Additionally, the salmon oil contributes to the fat content and provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a dog's skin and coat health.
The maximum crude fiber content of 3.50% is relatively low, suggesting that this food is designed to be easily digestible for small breed dogs. The fiber in the diet is likely derived from the sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, and flaxseed included in the ingredients. These are all sources of dietary fiber, which aids in digestive health.
The calorie content of 3579.00 per kg can be calculated based on the amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the food. The high protein and fat levels, along with the carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes and potatoes, contribute to the overall caloric value of the food. The caloric density is important for small breed dogs as they often require more calories per pound of body weight than larger breeds due to their higher metabolisms.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe For Small Breed Dogs costs approximately $5.85 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 | $35.04 |
| 10 lbs | $58.94 |
| 15 lbs | $79.88 |
| 20 lbs | $99.12 |
| 30 lbs | $134.35 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers generally express satisfaction with Merrick Lil' Plates + Freeze Dried Raw Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe for their small breed dogs. One dog owner observed that their dog, Hunter, enjoys the dry food, indicating a positive response to the taste. Another customer mentioned their dog's preference for the tender bites included in the mix, suggesting that the inclusion of freeze-dried pieces is a hit with some pets.
Several reviews highlight that dogs, including picky eaters, are fond of the freeze-dried meat pieces, with one Boston terrier showing increased enthusiasm for mealtime since switching to Merrick. The small size of the kibble and freeze-dried bits is appreciated by owners of small breeds, as it suits their pets' needs.
One owner of a senior dog noted their pet's preference for the freeze-dried pieces, likening it to a child picking out marshmallows from cereal, which implies that these pieces are a delightful treat for some dogs. Another owner detailed how their dog with a sensitive stomach and joint issues has shown improvement and eagerness to eat since switching to this food.
In response to a negative review about a lack of freeze-dried pieces in the bag, it's important to note that other customers have not reported this issue, suggesting it may be an isolated incident. Overall, the food is reported to contribute to healthier coats, increased energy, and satisfied appetites, with no known recalls, which reassures many pet owners about the quality and safety of the product. Even those who make their own dog food find that Merrick is an excellent supplement that their dogs enjoy on its own.
