Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates 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 Real Chicken + Sweet Potato 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 Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Dogs, we'll examine all 43 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.
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.
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
Crude Protein (min) of 32.00%: The high protein content is primarily contributed by the deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal listed at the top of the ingredient list. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein, which is essential for a dog's muscle development and overall health. Chicken meal and turkey meal are concentrated forms of protein because they are rendered and contain less water than whole meat.
Crude Fat (min) of 16.00%: The fat content in this pet food likely comes from the chicken fat, which is a common and palatable source of energy for dogs. Additionally, the natural flavor may include fats, and the salmon oil is another contributor, providing essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which are beneficial for a dog's skin and coat health.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.50%: The fiber in this recipe is provided by the sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas. These ingredients are less digestible plant-based components that contribute to the dietary fiber content, which is important for healthy digestion and bowel function.
Calories of 3602.00 per kg: Calories in pet food come from the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the ingredients. In this case, the deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and chicken fat are significant contributors to the calorie content due to their high energy values. Additionally, sweet potatoes and potatoes also contribute to the caloric content, providing energy in the form of complex carbohydrates.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Dogs costs approximately $3.94 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 | $23.74 |
| 10 lbs | $39.92 |
| 15 lbs | $54.11 |
| 20 lbs | $67.14 |
| 30 lbs | $91.00 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers with small breed dogs generally appreciate the size of the kibble in Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe, noting that it's perfect for their tiny mouths and is even suitable for use as training treats. The food's palatability is frequently highlighted, with many owners reporting that even their picky eaters enjoy the flavor and eagerly look forward to meal times.
Several positive reviews mention the health benefits of the food, including its grain-free formula which is well-received by dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Owners have observed improvements in their dogs' coats and overall health, suggesting that the food is not only tasty but also nutritious.
In response to the few negative comments about changes in the formula, it's important to note that many dogs continue to thrive on Merrick Lil' Plates, indicating that the food remains a high-quality option for many pets. While some dogs may have specific preferences or dietary needs, the majority of reviews suggest that this product is a hit with both dogs and their owners.
For the customers concerned about the recent recipe change, it's worth considering that while some dogs may react to formula adjustments, others may not be affected, and the food still contains high-quality ingredients. Additionally, some dogs might take time to adjust to a new formula, and gradual introduction is always recommended when switching foods.
Overall, the consensus among users is that Merrick Lil' Plates is a reliable and enjoyable food choice for small dogs, with many owners noting that their dogs are excited to eat and maintain good health on this diet.
