Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains) Review

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Review of Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & 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 Chicken & 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 Chicken & 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.

  1. 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.

  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. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

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

  12. 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.

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

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

  15. 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.

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

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

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

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

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

  24. 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.

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

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

  27. 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.

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

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

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

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

  34. 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

The crude protein minimum of 21.00% in this pet food is primarily contributed by the first two ingredients: deboned chicken and chicken meal. Deboned chicken is a high-quality source of protein that provides essential amino acids necessary for a dog's muscle development and overall health. Chicken meal is a concentrated form of chicken in which the water has been removed, making it a dense source of protein. These animal-based ingredients are the primary contributors to the protein content listed in the guaranteed analysis.

The crude fat minimum of 14.00% is largely due to the presence of chicken fat and flaxseed in the ingredients list. Chicken fat is a high-energy source and provides essential fatty acids that contribute to the overall fat content. Flaxseed not only contributes healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but also provides additional protein and fiber. These ingredients help maintain the energy level, support a healthy coat and skin, and contribute to the overall palatability of the food.

The maximum crude fiber content of 4.50% is influenced by the inclusion of brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients are carbohydrate sources that also provide dietary fiber. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion and can aid in weight management. Brown rice, barley, and oatmeal are grains that contain fiber, while sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates and fiber.

The calorie content of 3803.00 per kg is a measure of the energy provided by the food. This is derived from the combined macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Deboned chicken and chicken meal provide calories from protein, chicken fat provides high-calorie fats, and brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes contribute calories from carbohydrates. The balance of these ingredients determines the total caloric content of the pet food.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (With Healthy Grains) costs approximately $3.32 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult
5 lbs $18.69
10 lbs $31.43
15 lbs $42.60
20 lbs $52.86
30 lbs $71.64
40 lbs $88.89
50 lbs $105.09
60 lbs $120.49
70 lbs $135.26
80 lbs $149.50
90 lbs $163.31
100 lbs $176.74

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.