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Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

Part of the Classic Healthy Grains product line →

Top 5 ingredients of Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Oatmeal. According to the guaranteed analysis, we calculated the starch ratio as 35.5%.

Deboned Chicken The clean flesh of the chicken, with or without skin, used fresh. Roughly 70% of its weight is water, most of which is driven off during cooking.
Chicken Meal Chicken that has been cooked, dried and ground into a concentrated meal, with most of the water and fat removed.
Brown Rice Rice with only the inedible outer hull removed, so the bran and germ stay on the grain.
Barley The grain of the barley plant, one of the older cultivated cereals.
Oatmeal Oats that have been rolled or ground, used as a whole grain carbohydrate.

Guaranteed Analysis	Value
Crude Protein (min.)	28%
Crude Fiber (max.)	3.5%
Crude Fat (min.)	16%
Moisture (max.)	11%
Calories	3,730 kcal/kg, 406 kcal/cup

Nutrition, dry matter

The guaranteed analysis on the bag is measured "as fed", which includes the water. Converting to dry matter removes the water so this food can be compared with any other, wet or dry. This food is 89% dry matter.

Nutrient	As fed	Dry matter	Reading
Protein	28%	31.5%	high
Fat	16%	18%
Fibre	3.5%	3.9%
Carbohydrate (estimated)	35.5%	39.9%	moderate

Carbohydrate is not published by any manufacturer. We estimate it by subtracting protein, fat, fibre, moisture and an assumed 6% ash from the total. This food carries 3,730 kcal per kilogram, or 406 kcal per cup.

64 out of 100

The Open Score

Computed from this food's own figures, not from an opinion. Every line below shows what it awarded and why. Read the full method.

Protein, dry matter 31.5% 20/30

Protein is 31.5% dry matter. As printed on the bag it reads 28%, but that figure includes the water. This food is between 26% and 32% dry matter, a typical mainstream level.
Carbohydrate load 39.9% 15/25

Estimated carbohydrate is 39.9% dry matter, between 30% and 40% dry matter, around the middle of the catalogue. No manufacturer publishes this figure. We derive it by subtracting protein, fat, fibre, moisture and an assumed 6% ash from the total.
First five ingredients 2 named 10/25

The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley and Oatmeal. 2 of them are a named animal protein.
Flagged additives none found 10/10

None of the additives on our flagged list appear in the ingredients.
Brand recall history 1 on record 9/10

1 FDA recall matched to this brand, 0 of them in the last three years. This reflects the manufacturer, not this specific recipe.

A score is a summary of measurable things. It cannot tell you whether your dog will do well on this food, and it does not account for price, availability or a condition your vet is managing.

How much to feed

We calculate this from your dog's weight and this food's actual calorie density (3,730 kcal/kg), using the resting energy formula vets use. It is a starting point to adjust from, not a prescription. A pregnant dog, a dog recovering from illness, or one on a prescription diet needs a figure from your vet.

Analyzing Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

When it comes to choosing the right dog food for your furry friend, the ingredients play a crucial role in their overall health and, ultimately, their longevity. The quality and composition of the ingredients can impact various aspects of a dog’s well-being, including energy levels, coat condition, digestive health, and overall vitality.

Ingredient Analysis of Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food boasts several main ingredients that are worth discussing: deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, and oatmeal. These ingredients form the foundation of the product and have a direct impact on its nutritional value.

Deboned chicken and chicken meal are excellent sources of high-quality protein, essential for muscle development and overall growth in puppies. Protein is also crucial for maintaining healthy skin and a lustrous coat. The positive feedback from dog owners regarding their puppies’ shiny coats can be attributed to the presence of these protein-rich ingredients.

Brown rice, barley, and oatmeal serve as healthy grain options in this dog food. Grains can provide a valuable source of energy and nutrients for dogs when included in appropriate proportions. Some customers have reported that the inclusion of grains, such as barley and oatmeal, in Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food has positively impacted their puppies’ energy levels.

However, it is important to note that not all puppies may tolerate grains well. Some reviews indicate instances where puppies experienced digestive issues, such as diarrhea, after consuming this specific dog food. Each dog is unique, and while grains can be beneficial for many, some may have sensitivities or allergies.

Customer Feedback and Its Implications

The customer reviews for Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food offer valuable insights into its effects on puppies’ health and well-being. It is evident that the experiences vary among different dog owners and their respective puppies.

Positive feedback highlights the appeal of the ingredients and the product’s taste, with puppies eagerly consuming the food. The inclusion of high-quality protein sources like deboned chicken and chicken meal likely contributes to the palatability of the food.

On the other hand, negative feedback suggests that some puppies experienced digestive issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting, after consuming this particular dog food. It is worth noting that some customers found success by switching to grain-free alternatives or different brands altogether.

Making an Informed Decision

Choosing the right dog food for your puppy is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. While Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food contains high-quality ingredients like deboned chicken and healthy grains, it may not be suitable for every puppy.

If your puppy has a history of sensitivities or allergies, it might be worth discussing alternative options with your veterinarian. Additionally, monitoring your puppy’s response to the food and adjusting their diet accordingly is essential for their overall health and longevity.

Remember, each dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. By considering both the ingredient analysis and customer feedback, you can make a more informed decision about whether Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food is the right choice for your furry companion’s longevity and well-being.

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat, Dried Egg Product, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Quinoa, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Salt*, Sunflower Oil, Fish Oil, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Carrots, Apples, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Taurine, Chia Seed, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, 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

Nutrition Distribution of Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

According to the guaranteed analysis, Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food has 28% protein, 16% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 11% moisture. Assuming there is 6% ash, then this dog food has 35.5% starch.

The largest proportion of Carbohydrates in dog food is provided by starch and indeed dogs don't have carbohydrate requirement at all.

We calculated the starch ratio in Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food as 35.5%. Basically, around one third of the food you feed to your dog is starch.

Average starch ratio of dry dog foods on inthekibble.com is 38.51% - and that means this Classic Healthy Grains kibble has less starch ratio than the average.

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