Merrick Full Source With Real Chicken & Duck 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 Full Source With Real Chicken & Duck
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 Full Source With Real Chicken & Duck 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 Full Source With Real Chicken & Duck, we'll examine all 49 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.
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.
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.
Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.
Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.
Tapioca flour is a gluten-free carbohydrate source derived from the root of the cassava plant, which can provide your dog with a good source of energy and help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Duck is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, which support muscle development and energy in dogs.
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.
Chicken Heart is rich in taurine and other essential nutrients that support your dog's heart health.
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.
Chicken cartilage is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are beneficial for joint health.
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.
Dehydrated organic alfalfa meal is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog's overall health. It's also an excellent source of fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
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.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
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.
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.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 34.00%: The high protein content is primarily derived from the first few ingredients listed, which are animal-based proteins. Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Duck Meal, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Liver, and Chicken Heart are all rich sources of protein. The 'meal' ingredients (chicken meal, turkey meal, duck meal) are concentrated forms of protein because they are rendered and contain less water than whole meats. The inclusion of multiple sources of meat and poultry ensures a broad amino acid profile, which is beneficial for the pet's health.
Crude Fat (min) of 17.00%: The fat content is likely to come from the deboned chicken, duck, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), and salmon oil. Chicken fat is a common ingredient in pet foods as it is a rich source of energy and helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Salmon oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health. The combination of these ingredients provides a healthy level of fats that are essential for the pet's diet.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.50%: Fiber in the diet is crucial for digestive health. Ingredients such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, organic dehydrated alfalfa meal, and flaxseed contribute to the fiber content. Sweet potatoes and potatoes are complex carbohydrates that provide energy and contain dietary fiber. Flaxseed is not only a source of fiber but also provides omega-3 fatty acids. The alfalfa meal is another plant-based source of fiber. The maximum crude fiber guarantee ensures that the food is not too high in fiber, which could interfere with the absorption of other nutrients.
Calories of 3675.00 per kg: The caloric content is a result of the combined energy provided by proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the ingredients. Proteins and carbohydrates typically provide about 4 calories per gram, whereas fats provide approximately 9 calories per gram. The high caloric value suggests that the food is energy-dense, which is often suitable for active dogs or those with higher metabolic rates. The primary contributors to the calorie content are the protein and fat sources, such as the meats and chicken fat, as well as the carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and potatoes.
