Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies
According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for growing puppies. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growing puppies.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that is often used as a supplement in dog food. It's beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities or those on a plant-based diet.
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.
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 28.00%: The high crude protein content is primarily attributed to the first few ingredients listed: deboned chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal. Chicken meal and salmon meal are concentrated sources of protein because they are rendered and dried, which means most of the water content is removed, leaving a high-protein powder. Pea protein also contributes to the overall protein content. Proteins are essential for the growth and maintenance of muscles, organs, and the immune system, especially in puppies.
Crude Fat (min) of 15.00%: The crude fat content is largely provided by the deboned chicken, chicken fat, and salmon oil. Chicken fat is a high-energy source and also supplies essential fatty acids, which are important for skin and coat health. Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cognitive development and joint health. Fats are a dense source of energy, which is particularly important for small breed puppies who have high metabolic rates.
Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50%: The fiber in the diet comes from ingredients like sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, and flaxseed. Sweet potatoes and peas are good sources of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain bowel health. Flaxseed is not only a source of fiber but also provides omega-3 fatty acids. The crude fiber content helps to ensure that the food supports proper digestion without causing excessive stool volume or constipation.
Calories of 3602.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. It is derived from the three macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The deboned chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat are calorie-dense ingredients that significantly contribute to the overall energy content. Sweet potatoes and potatoes provide calories in the form of complex carbohydrates, which offer sustained energy release. The caloric density of the food is important for meeting the high energy requirements of growing small breed puppies.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies costs approximately $4.78 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Puppy |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $18.18 |
| 10 lbs | $30.57 |
| 15 lbs | $41.43 |
| 20 lbs | $51.41 |
| 30 lbs | $69.68 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have reported a variety of experiences with Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Puppies. Many puppies have thrived on this food, showing improved energy levels, coat health, and overall well-being. The inclusion of high-quality ingredients like real chicken, sweet potatoes, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin has been appreciated by pet owners who are conscious of their puppy's dietary needs.
While some puppies have been hesitant or outright refused to eat the food, others have taken to it with gusto, even preferring it over their previous brands. The small kibble size has been particularly praised for being suitable for small breeds and aiding in digestion. Some owners have noted that their picky eaters were enticed by the food's aroma and flavor, leading to successful meal times.
Despite a few instances where puppies did not favor the taste or the kibble size was deemed too small, the general consensus is that the food is of high quality and supports puppy growth and health effectively. Even those who encountered initial resistance from their pets often found that with patience and persistence, their puppies eventually accepted and enjoyed the food. The grain-free and natural formulation has been a significant draw for those looking to provide a wholesome diet for their furry companions.
