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Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

Part of the Classic Healthy Grains product line →

Top 5 ingredients of Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, and Turkey Meal. According to the guaranteed analysis, we calculated the starch ratio as 36.5%.

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.
Turkey Meal Turkey that has been cooked, dried and ground into a concentrated meal with most of the water removed.

Guaranteed Analysis	Value
Crude Protein (min.)	27%
Crude Fiber (max.)	3.5%
Crude Fat (min.)	16%
Moisture (max.)	11%
Calories	3,711 kcal/kg, 404 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	27%	30.3%	high
Fat	16%	18%
Fibre	3.5%	3.9%
Carbohydrate (estimated)	36.5%	41%	high

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 3,711 kcal per kilogram, or 404 kcal per cup.

63 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 30.3% 20/30

Protein is 30.3% dry matter. As printed on the bag it reads 27%, but that figure includes the water. This food is between 26% and 32% dry matter, a typical mainstream level.
Carbohydrate load 41% 9/25

Estimated carbohydrate is 41% dry matter, between 40% and 50% dry matter, high. 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 3 named 15/25

The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley and Turkey Meal. 3 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 (3,711 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.

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food: A Comprehensive Analysis

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food has gained popularity among dog owners due to its high-quality ingredients and positive impact on canine health. In this article, we will delve into the key ingredients of this dog food brand and analyze how they contribute to a dog’s energy levels, coat condition, digestive health, and overall well-being. We will also consider the collective feedback from dog owners to provide insights into the impact of this dog food on canine longevity.

The Key Ingredients and Their Benefits

The main ingredients of Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food are deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, and turkey meal. These ingredients play a crucial role in providing essential nutrients for dogs of small breeds.

Deboned Chicken and Chicken Meal

The presence of deboned chicken and chicken meal in this dog food brand ensures a high protein content, which is vital for maintaining a dog’s energy levels and supporting muscle development. The positive feedback from dog owners reflects their satisfaction with the protein content, as it contributes to the overall well-being and vitality of their dogs.

Brown Rice and Barley

Brown rice and barley are excellent sources of carbohydrates, providing dogs with sustained energy throughout the day. These grains also contain dietary fiber, which aids in digestive health and helps prevent digestive issues like loose stools. The positive reviews from dog owners who noticed firmer stools in their dogs after switching to Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe further support the benefits of these ingredients.

Turkey Meal

Turkey meal is a concentrated source of protein, complementing the chicken ingredients in this dog food brand. The combination of turkey meal and other protein sources ensures a balanced amino acid profile, which is essential for a dog’s overall health and well-being.

Customer Feedback and Its Implications

The feedback from dog owners who have fed their pets Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food offers valuable insights into the product’s impact on canine longevity.

Many dog owners appreciate the small kibble size of this brand, which is ideal for small breeds. It allows for easier chewing and digestion, minimizing the risk of dental issues. Additionally, the positive reviews mentioning improved coat condition and energy levels indicate that this dog food brand has a positive impact on a dog’s overall health.

Furthermore, several dog owners have reported improvements in their dogs’ joint health after switching to this food. The presence of glucosamine and chondroitin levels in Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe may contribute to these positive effects, as reported by a satisfied dog owner whose veterinarian noticed significant improvement in their Yorkie’s knee health.

However, it is important to note that not all dogs may have the same positive experience with this dog food brand. Some negative reviews mention issues like picky eating, skin problems, and digestive issues. It is crucial for dog owners to monitor their dogs’ reactions to any new food and consult with a veterinarian if any adverse reactions occur.

Conclusion

Overall, Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food offers a high-quality option for dog owners looking to provide their pets with a nutritious and balanced diet. The main ingredients, such as deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, and turkey meal, contribute to a dog’s energy levels, coat condition, digestive health, and overall well-being.

While the majority of customer feedback on this dog food brand is positive, it is essential for dog owners to consider their individual dog’s needs and preferences. Monitoring their dog’s reactions to the food and consulting with a veterinarian can help ensure the best possible nutrition for their beloved pets.

In conclusion, Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food has the potential to positively impact a dog’s longevity through its high-quality ingredients and balanced nutritional profile.

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Turkey Meal, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat, Quinoa, Salmon Meal, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Salt*, Sunflower 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 Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food

According to the guaranteed analysis, Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food has 27% protein, 16% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 11% moisture. Assuming there is 6% ash, then this dog food has 36.5% 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 Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food as 36.5%. Basically, around two fifths 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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