Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Review
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Review of Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Duck & Chickpeas Recipe
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 Duck & Chickpeas Recipe 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 Duck & Chickpeas Recipe, we'll examine all 28 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.
Duck is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, which support muscle development and energy in dogs.
Duck meal is a high-quality, concentrated source of protein and essential nutrients that support healthy muscle growth, strong bones, and a robust immune system in dogs.
Chickpea is a nutrient-dense legume that provides a valuable source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals to support your dog's overall wellbeing.
Lentils are a high-quality, plant-based protein source that also provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which can support healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a high-quality fat source that provides essential fatty acids for your dog's overall health. Mixed tocopherols act as a natural preservative, ensuring the oil remains fresh and maintains its nutritional value. This oil supports healthy skin, coat, and immune function in your dog.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
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.
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.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Vitamin A acetate is a form of vitamin A, which is essential for your dog's overall health. It supports healthy vision, immune function, and proper growth and development. Vitamin A acetate also plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and coat, ensuring your dog looks and feels its best.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The Crude Protein minimum of 28.00% in this pet food is primarily contributed by the deboned duck and duck meal, which are the first two ingredients listed and are high-quality sources of animal protein. Duck meal, in particular, is a concentrated form of protein because it is a rendered product from which the moisture has been removed, making it a very dense source of protein.
The Crude Fat minimum of 15.00% is likely coming from the deboned duck, which naturally contains fats, as well as from the added sunflower oil, which is a high-fat ingredient. Sunflower oil is rich in essential fatty acids and is used to provide the necessary fats for a balanced diet in pets.
The maximum Crude Fiber content of 4.50% is relatively low, indicating that this diet is not extremely high in fiber. The fiber present would mostly come from the chickpeas, lentils, and peas, which are plant-based ingredients known to have naturally occurring fibers. These ingredients help to provide the necessary fiber for healthy digestion without excessively increasing the fiber content.
The caloric content of 3634.00 per kg is a measure of the energy provided by the food and is influenced by the combined macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The protein and fat levels directly contribute to the caloric density, with fats being more calorie-dense than proteins or carbohydrates. The duck, duck meal, and sunflower oil are the most calorie-dense ingredients in this recipe.
The natural flavor is likely added to enhance palatability, but it does not significantly contribute to the guaranteed analysis values. Minerals and vitamins listed are essential for the overall health of the pet but are not major contributors to the protein, fat, or fiber content. They ensure the food meets the nutritional requirements for pets but are present in much smaller amounts compared to the macronutrients.
