Merrick Lil' Plates Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew For Small Breed Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew 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 Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew 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 Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew For Small Breed Dogs, we'll examine all 39 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.
Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.
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.
Venison Broth is a flavorful and hydrating ingredient that can also provide some protein and minerals.
Beef liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which support your dog's overall health and well-being. It is also a good source of high-quality protein, which helps maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.
Dried egg whites are a high-quality, low-fat protein source that provides essential amino acids for muscle growth, maintenance, and overall health in dogs. They also contain vitamins and minerals that support immune system function.
Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive 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.
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.
Green beans are a good source of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber. They can add valuable nutrients to your dog's diet and aid in weight management due to their low caloric content.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
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.
Tricalcium phosphate is used as a calcium supplement in dog foods, contributing to strong teeth and bones.
Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.
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.
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.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Zinc amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your dog's immune system, skin, and coat health. This ingredient also plays a crucial role in wound healing and maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall health in dogs.
Copper amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's connective tissue formation, metabolism, and overall health.
Manganese amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, a trace mineral that supports bone health and metabolic function.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Cobalt amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of cobalt, an essential trace mineral that supports the production of vitamin B12 and overall red blood cell health in dogs.
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.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.
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.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
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.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 8.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this dog food are the beef, beef liver, and dried egg whites. Beef and beef liver are rich in animal protein, which is essential for muscle development and overall health in dogs. Dried egg whites are also a high-quality source of protein that can help boost the protein content of the food.
Crude Fat (min) of 3.00%: The crude fat content is likely to come from the beef, as it naturally contains fat, and from the added sunflower oil. Fats are crucial for providing energy, supporting cell structure, and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Crude Fiber (max) of 1.40%: The fiber in this dog food is probably provided by the sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, apples, and peas. These vegetables and fruits contain varying amounts of dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health. The low fiber content is typical for wet dog foods, which generally have less fiber than dry kibble.
Calories of 904.00 per kg: The caloric content is derived from the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates present in the ingredients. Beef, being the main ingredient, along with sunflower oil, contributes to the overall calorie count due to their higher energy content. Carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and other vegetables also add to the calorie content, although to a lesser extent than fats and proteins.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew For Small Breed Dogs costs approximately $10.61 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 | $251.39 |
| 10 lbs | $422.79 |
| 15 lbs | $573.05 |
| 20 lbs | $711.05 |
| 30 lbs | $963.75 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers are generally pleased with Merrick Lil' Plates Itsy Bitsy Beef Stew for their small breed dogs, noting the high quality of the product and the enthusiasm their pets show for the food. Max, a dog larger than the targeted small breed size, enjoys the food mixed with dry kibble, which suggests that the product has a broader appeal. Owners appreciate the convenience of the portion size, which eliminates the need for storing leftovers.
The Lil' Plates line is a favorite among many dogs, including those with picky appetites. A Shih Tzu known for being finicky couldn't resist the beef stew, and another customer's senior Shih Tzu eagerly anticipates mealtime with this food. The stew's aroma is mentioned as being mild, which is a plus for owners sensitive to the smell of dog food.
While there have been isolated incidents of product issues, such as a container with an unwanted substance, these appear to be exceptions, and customers continue to purchase the product despite these rare occurrences. Dogs with sensitive stomachs have had mixed reactions, with some experiencing digestive issues, but this is not the general experience.
Owners of multiple dogs find the individual servings convenient and fresh, and the food is often used to entice dogs to eat their kibble. The Lil' Plates range is also praised for its visible real food ingredients like peas and meat, which reassure owners about the quality of their dog's diet.
In summary, Merrick Lil' Plates receives positive feedback for its palatability, quality ingredients, and convenient packaging. While there have been a few negative experiences, the overall sentiment is that dogs enjoy the food and benefit from its nutritional content.
