Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior Dogs, we'll examine all 48 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
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.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
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.
Cobalt proteinate is an organic form of cobalt, an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in the production of vitamin B12, which supports your dog's metabolism and overall health.
Cobalt carbonate is a trace mineral that plays a role in the synthesis of vitamin B12, supporting your dog's metabolism, energy production, and overall health.
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.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that helps your dog's body convert fat into energy, promoting a healthy weight and supporting their overall well-being.
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 30.00%: The high protein content is likely contributed by the primary ingredients such as deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and salmon meal. These are all high-quality sources of protein that are beneficial for a dog's muscle development and maintenance, especially important for senior dogs to help prevent muscle loss as they age.
Crude Fat (min) of 12.00%: The fat content is provided by ingredients like chicken fat and salmon oil. These fats are essential for providing energy, supporting cell function, and promoting healthy skin and coat. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of essential fatty acids, while salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can benefit joint health.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.50%: The fiber in the diet is likely coming from sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, and flaxseed. Fiber is crucial for digestive health, helping to regulate bowel movements and support a healthy gut microbiome. It's also beneficial for weight control, as fiber can help dogs feel fuller for longer.
Calories of 3560.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) in the food, with the main contributors being the protein and fat sources such as the meats and chicken fat, as well as carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and potatoes. This energy density ensures that small breed senior dogs get enough calories to meet their energy requirements without needing to consume large quantities of food, which can be important for dogs with smaller appetites or slower metabolisms.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs costs approximately $4.62 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 | $27.82 |
| 10 lbs | $46.78 |
| 15 lbs | $63.41 |
| 20 lbs | $78.68 |
| 30 lbs | $106.65 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers appreciate the small kibble size of Merrick Lil' Plates, which is ideal for senior dogs with dental issues. Many find that their dogs, even picky eaters or those with only a few teeth, are able to eat the food comfortably once it is softened. The inclusion of sweet potato is a hit among dogs, and the ingredients are praised for not causing acidity or gas.
Several dogs have shown a preference for this food over their previous brands, indicating that the flavor is well-received. Owners of senior dogs are particularly pleased with the ease of chewing and the health benefits provided by the ingredients, such as glucosamine for joint health. The food is also celebrated for its positive effects on dogs' coats and weight management.
While there are some reports of dogs experiencing digestive issues or showing disinterest in the food, these are balanced by numerous positive experiences where dogs have transitioned enthusiastically to Merrick Lil' Plates. Many owners have noticed improvements in their dogs' health and vitality after switching to this food.
Some customers have encountered packaging issues, such as faulty closures, which can affect the freshness of the food over time. However, the overall sentiment is that this food is highly palatable and beneficial for senior small breed dogs, with many experiencing positive outcomes in terms of their dogs' health and enjoyment of mealtime.
