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Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
Company info
Company HQ
Amarillo, Texas us-flag
Parent company
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
Product info
Age Range: Puppy
Food Form Dry Puppy Food
Cost per day: $0.18
Primary proteins
  • Deboned Beef
  • Lamb Meal
  • Pea Protein
  • Salmon Meal

Ingredients

Deboned Beef, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lamb Meal, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Pork Fat, Natural Flavor, Salmon Meal, Potato Protein, Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, Deboned Salmon, Salt, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Apples, Blueberries, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols for Freshness, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, d- Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitre, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Citric Acid for Freshness, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

Overall Score

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60%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 43%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 68%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 32%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 33%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 87%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 28%

Fat: 15%

Fiber: 4.5%

Moisture: 11%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 41.5%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 31.46%

Fat: 16.85%

Fiber: 5.06%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 46.63%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 26.43%

Fat: 34.39%

Carb: 39.18%

Our Review

Pros
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Has all the nutrients your puppy or mother dog needs
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains plant-based proteins
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some dogs may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Merrick since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Merrick - Pet treats for dogs (07/02/2010) -+
Date:07/02/2010
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:Pet treats for dogs
Recall Reason:Salmonella
Merrick - Texas Hold'ems Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (08/03/2010) -+
Date:08/03/2010
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:Texas Hold'ems Beef Filet Squares for Dogs
Recall Reason:Potentially contaminated with Salmonella
Merrick - Dog treats - Texas Hold'ems, Beef Filet Squares (08/16/2010) -+
Date:08/16/2010
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:Dog treats - Texas Hold'ems, Beef Filet Squares
Recall Reason:Potentially contaminated with Salmonella
Merrick - JR Texas Taffy Pet Treats (01/28/2011) -+
Date:01/28/2011
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:JR Texas Taffy Pet Treats
Recall Reason:Salmonella
Merrick - Wishbone pet treat (08/08/2011) -+
Date:08/08/2011
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:Wishbone pet treat
Recall Reason:Salmonella
Merrick - Beef dog treat varieties (05/23/2018) -+
Date:05/23/2018
Company Name:Merrick Pet Care
Product Description:Beef dog treat varieties
Recall Reason:Ingredient Level

Ingredient Review

Our review of Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Deboned Beef. Organic blueberries are grown without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. In pet food, organic blueberries serve as a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your companion’s immune system and overall well-being. Organic blueberries also contain fiber and a small amount of easily digestible carbohydrates.

The second ingredient is Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are added to pet food as an easy-to-digest source of grain-free and gluten-free carbohydrates. They contain high levels of fiber, along with a number of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The third ingredient is Peas. Pea is a general term to describe whole, split, or milled peas, which are a grain-free, gluten-free source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. In pet food, pea products serve as an energy source as well as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals.

The fourth ingredient is Lamb Meal. Lamb meal is the rendered, ground, and dried meat from a young sheep. In pet food, lamb meal can be an important source of protein fat, vitamins, and minerals.

The fifth ingredient is Potatoes. Potatoes are versatile starchy root vegetables that provide carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and some fiber. In pet food, potatoes can add texture and flavor while replacing other starches. Many grain-free and gluten-free pet foods contain potatoes.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$5.06

Market Price avg.

$3.83

% From the Avg

+32%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.30

Market Price avg.

$0.23

% From the Avg

+32%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.18

Market Price avg.

$0.14

% From the Avg

+30%

Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe is priced above the average market price for dry puppy food.

Nutritional Analysis

Small puppy breeds don’t experience the rapid bone growth that large breeds do, but they do mature in a shorter time. Like puppy food for dogs of any breed, small puppy breed food typically just supportg the energy needs for growth with a higher caloric density.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Merrick Grain Free Dry Puppy Food Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe to the other 221 dry puppy food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

31.46%

All Products avg.

32.39%

% From the Avg

-3%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

16.85%

All Products avg.

17.95%

% From the Avg

-6%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

5.06%

All Products avg.

4.64%

% From the Avg

+9%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

46.63%

All Products avg.

44.28%

% From the Avg

+5%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s moderate in protein with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content relative to other dry puppy foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

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