Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe For Puppies Review

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Review of Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe For Puppies

According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe For Puppies is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe For Puppies, we'll examine all 38 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  14. 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.

  15. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  16. Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.

  17. Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.

  18. Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.

  19. 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.

  20. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  26. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  27. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  28. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  29. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.

  30. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  31. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic form of vitamin K, which plays a vital role in blood clotting and bone metabolism for your dog's overall health.

  35. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) of 28.00%: The high protein content in this puppy food is primarily contributed by the animal-based ingredients listed, such as deboned beef, chicken meal, turkey meal, and to a lesser extent, pea protein. Beef and chicken meal are concentrated sources of protein, as the meal is made by cooking and grinding the meat, which removes water and fat, leaving a high-protein powder. Turkey meal serves a similar purpose. Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that can also contribute to the overall protein content.

Crude Fat (min) of 15.00%: The fat content is likely to come from the deboned beef, chicken fat, and salmon oil. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of essential fatty acids and is often used in pet foods for its fat content and palatability. Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a puppy's skin, coat, and overall health.

Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50%: Fiber in this puppy food is derived from plant-based ingredients such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas. Sweet potatoes and potatoes are good sources of dietary fiber, which helps with digestive health. Peas also contribute fiber as well as additional protein.

Calories of 3654.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients in the food - proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The high-energy ingredients like beef, chicken fat, and the carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and potatoes are the main contributors to the caloric value. The balance between these ingredients is designed to meet the energy needs of growing puppies.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe For Puppies costs approximately $3.95 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppy
5 lbs $15.83
10 lbs $26.62
15 lbs $36.08
20 lbs $44.77
30 lbs $60.68
40 lbs $75.29
50 lbs $89.01
60 lbs $102.05
70 lbs $114.56
80 lbs $126.63
90 lbs $138.32
100 lbs $149.70

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers with boxer/lab and basset hound puppies report their pets are enjoying the Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe, noting their dogs are developing well and are full of energy. Many praise the quality of the food and the positive impact on their puppies' coats and overall health.

While some reviewers have had negative experiences, with issues such as digestive upset and their dogs not being enthusiastic about the taste, it's important to note that individual dogs can have varying preferences and sensitivities. In response, some customers have found success by mixing the food with other ingredients or transitioning their pets slowly to Merrick's food.

Several pet owners have observed that their puppies show excitement at mealtime when served this food, and some have noticed improvements in their puppies' digestion and stool quality after switching to this recipe. The absence of grains, soy, preservatives, and by-products is frequently highlighted as a positive aspect of the food's formulation.

Despite some isolated incidents of the food not agreeing with certain puppies, or the kibble being too hard for small breeds, the majority of feedback focuses on the natural ingredients, the health benefits provided, and the eagerness of dogs when eating this food. Several reviews also mention the ease of transitioning puppies to this food and the satisfaction it seems to provide.

One concern raised by a few customers is about the general recommendation of grain-free diets for dogs, with some mentioning discussions with veterinary professionals. However, many remain pleased with the results they've seen in their puppies, including healthy skin, shiny coats, and good energy levels, and plan to continue using Merrick products.