Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner For Small Breed Dogs Review
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Review of Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner 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 Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner 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 Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner For Small Breed Dogs, we'll examine all 36 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.
Dried ground pea is a good source of fiber and protein, supporting your dog's digestive health and muscle growth.
Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive system.
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.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
Cinnamon is a natural spice that can help support healthy blood sugar levels and provide antioxidant benefits for your dog's overall health.
While ground cumin is mainly used for flavor, it also provides some antioxidant benefits, although it is typically used in small amounts.
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
The crude protein content of at least 8.00% in the Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner is most likely derived from the beef and beef liver listed as the primary ingredients. Both of these ingredients are rich in animal proteins, which are essential for a dog's muscle development and overall health. The dried egg whites also contribute significantly to the protein content, as eggs are known for being high in protein.
The crude fat minimum of 3.00% is probably coming from the beef, as it naturally contains fat, especially if it includes portions of the animal that are higher in fat content. Sunflower oil is another ingredient that would contribute to the total fat content, providing essential fatty acids necessary for a healthy coat and skin.
Crude fiber is present at a maximum of 1.40%, which is relatively low, indicating that this food is not high in plant-based fiber. Fiber can come from ingredients such as dried ground peas and potentially small amounts from the potato starch. Fiber is important for digestive health, but in controlled amounts for dogs, especially small breeds that this food targets.
The caloric content is 930.00 kcal/kg, which is a measure of the energy provided by the food. This is influenced by all macronutrients - proteins, fats, and carbohydrates - but fats are the most calorie-dense. Therefore, the beef, beef liver, and sunflower oil are likely the main contributors to the calorie content. The carbohydrates from the potato starch and dried ground peas also contribute to the overall caloric content, providing energy for the dogs.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner For Small Breed Dogs costs approximately $10.15 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 | $233.76 |
| 10 lbs | $393.14 |
| 15 lbs | $532.86 |
| 20 lbs | $661.17 |
| 30 lbs | $896.16 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers with small breed dogs appreciate Merrick Lil' Plates Teeny Texas Steak Tips Dinner for its suitability for picky eaters and those with allergies, especially to chicken. Many find that their dogs, who are often finicky or have special dietary needs, enjoy the taste and texture of the food. One dog with dental issues found the food easy to chew and digest.
Several reviews mention the convenience of the portion size, which is perfect for small dogs and ideal for mixing with dry food or for boarding situations. The individual servings eliminate the concern of overfeeding and are appreciated by pet owners who prioritize portion control.
Despite a few negative comments about dogs not liking the food or the price being high, the majority of positive feedback highlights the palatability and quality ingredients. Some dogs with skin sensitivities have shown improvement after switching to this food, and even senior dogs with dental issues have managed to eat comfortably.
Additionally, the variety of flavors without chicken is a significant plus for owners of dogs with specific protein allergies. The small bites and moist texture cater to older dogs and those with difficulty chewing. However, some customers have noted difficulty with the packaging, suggesting a need for easier-to-open containers.
Overall, Merrick Lil' Plates receives praise for its appeal to picky eaters, the convenience of the serving size, and the quality of ingredients that cater to dogs with allergies and sensitivities. The brand is encouraged to consider packaging improvements to enhance the customer experience further.
