Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains) Review
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Review of Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains)
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 Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains) 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 Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains), we'll examine all 34 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.
Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's immune system, brain function, and skin and coat health.
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.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.
Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.
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.
Canola oil is a healthy source of fat that provides essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, to support your dog's skin, coat, and overall health. It is also a good source of energy and can help improve the taste and texture of your dog's food.
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.
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 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.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Citric acid is a natural preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of dog food. It also acts as an antioxidant, which can help protect your dog's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 21.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are the deboned salmon and salmon meal. Salmon is a high-quality source of protein that not only contributes to the overall protein content but also provides essential amino acids necessary for the health of the pet. Salmon meal, which is a concentrated form of salmon, has had most of the moisture removed, making it a denser source of protein.
Crude Fat (min) of 14.00%: The crude fat content is likely to come from the deboned salmon, salmon meal, canola oil, and flaxseed. Salmon is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the fat content. Canola oil is added as a fat source, providing essential fatty acids and energy. Flaxseed is also known for its high omega-3 fatty acid content, further contributing to the total fat percentage.
Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50%: The ingredients contributing to the fiber content include brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and sweet potatoes. These are carbohydrate sources that also provide dietary fiber, which is essential for digestive health. The fiber content helps to ensure proper bowel function and can aid in weight management by providing a sense of fullness.
Calories of 3822.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients in the food – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The deboned salmon and salmon meal, being rich in protein and fat, contribute significantly to the caloric value. Canola oil, a dense source of calories due to its fat content, also increases the overall energy density of the food. Carbohydrates from brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and sweet potatoes provide additional calories, although less energy-dense than fats.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains) costs approximately $3.45 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 | $19.36 |
| 10 lbs | $32.56 |
| 15 lbs | $44.13 |
| 20 lbs | $54.76 |
| 30 lbs | $74.22 |
| 40 lbs | $92.09 |
| 50 lbs | $108.87 |
| 60 lbs | $124.82 |
| 70 lbs | $140.12 |
| 80 lbs | $154.87 |
| 90 lbs | $169.18 |
| 100 lbs | $183.09 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers generally appreciate the high-quality ingredients and nutritional benefits of Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe. Many have noted improvements in their dogs' health, particularly for those with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. One owner mentioned that their dog's coat became more beautiful and they had more energy after switching to this food. Another found it to be the only food that controlled their dog's skin issues effectively.
There are positive remarks about the food's suitability for dogs with selective diets, as it provides complete nutrition even with limited ingredients. Some have supplemented the diet with probiotics, such as Greek yogurt, due to the absence of these in the food. In response to concerns about tear staining, one customer observed that only one of their four dogs experienced it, suggesting individual sensitivities rather than a food-related issue.
Owners of small to medium-sized dogs have praised the size of the kibble, finding it perfect for their pets. However, those with larger breeds have noted that the kibble may be too small. In terms of palatability, many dogs seem to love the taste, with one owner even using the kibble as treats during potty training.
While some customers have encountered consistency issues with the kibble size and color between different bags, this hasn't deterred their dogs from enjoying the food. Those who have switched from other brands due to allergies or dietary restrictions have been satisfied with the results, often noting a marked improvement in their dogs' symptoms and overall well-being.
Despite a few reports of dogs drinking more water and experiencing increased salt intake with this food, the overall sentiment is that the Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe is a high-quality, beneficial choice for dogs, particularly those with specific dietary needs.
