Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken Stew Review
PawDiet has been helping pet owners since 2015. To fund our efforts, articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission.
Review of Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken Stew
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 Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken Stew 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 Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken Stew, 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.
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 broth is a flavorful, hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more palatable. It also contains essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to support your dog's overall health and well-being.
Dried pea is a nutritious legume that provides an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and potassium for your dog's overall health.
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.
Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.
Dried citrus pulp is a nutritious by-product of the citrus juice industry, providing an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber. This ingredient supports healthy digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
Calcium lactate is an easily absorbed form of calcium that supports strong bones, teeth, and muscle function in your dog.
Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.
Cassia gum is a natural thickening and gelling agent derived from the seeds of the Cassia plant. It helps improve the texture of dog food, making it more appealing to your pet. It is also a source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and overall gastrointestinal health.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Gum ghatti is a natural, plant-based binder and thickener that can help improve the texture of your dog's food while also acting as a source of dietary fiber for healthy digestion.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Potassium iodate is an important source of iodine, which can help maintain your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolic health.
Cobalt glucoheptonate is a highly bioavailable source of cobalt, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in the production of vitamin B12. This ingredient supports your dog's overall health and well-being, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and vitality.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
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.
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.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
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.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
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.
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.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Caramel color is a natural coloring agent used to enhance the visual appeal of the dog food without impacting its nutritional value.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 8.00%: The primary source of protein in this pet food is deboned chicken and chicken liver, as indicated by their positions at the top of the ingredient list. These are high-quality sources of animal protein that contribute to the overall protein content. Additionally, pea protein also contributes to the protein level, although it is a less complete protein compared to chicken.
Crude Fat (min) of 4.00%: The fat content is likely derived from the deboned chicken and chicken liver, as these ingredients naturally contain fats. Sunflower oil is also included, which is a plant-based fat source and would contribute to the overall fat content in the food.
Crude Fiber (max) of 1.40%: Fiber in this pet food comes from ingredients like dried peas and dried citrus pulp. These ingredients are less digestible than the animal products and provide the necessary dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain bowel health.
Calories of 1025.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy provided by all the ingredients combined. The protein and fat are calorie-dense nutrients, with the deboned chicken, chicken liver, and sunflower oil being the most significant contributors. Dried peas also contribute to the calorie count, albeit to a lesser extent due to their primary role as a source of carbohydrates and fiber.
