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Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

Part of the Healthy Grains product line →

Top 5 ingredients of Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley. According to the guaranteed analysis, we calculated the starch ratio as 38%.

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.
Oatmeal Oats that have been rolled or ground, used as a whole grain carbohydrate.
Barley The grain of the barley plant, one of the older cultivated cereals.

Guaranteed Analysis	Value
Crude Protein (min.)	26%
Crude Fiber (max.)	10%
Crude Fat (min.)	9%
Moisture (max.)	11%
Calories	3,357 kcal/kg, 385 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	26%	29.2%	moderate
Fat	9%	10.1%
Fibre	10%	11.2%
Carbohydrate (estimated)	38%	42.7%	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 3,357 kcal per kilogram, or 385 kcal per cup.

58 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 29.2% 20/30

Protein is 29.2% dry matter. As printed on the bag it reads 26%, but that figure includes the water. This food is between 26% and 32% dry matter, a typical mainstream level.
Carbohydrate load 42.7% 9/25

Estimated carbohydrate is 42.7% 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 2 named 10/25

The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal and Barley. 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 (3,357 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 Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food is made with high-quality ingredients that provide essential nutrients for dogs. The main ingredients include deboned chicken and chicken meal, which are excellent sources of protein. These protein sources help dogs build and maintain muscle, providing them with energy and promoting overall health. The addition of brown rice, oatmeal, and barley further enhances the nutritional value of this dog food by providing fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Positive Feedback: Dogs Love It and Shed Extra Pounds

Many customers have reported that their dogs love the taste of Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe. Dogs quickly adapt to this food and have no issues transitioning to it. Additionally, some customers mentioned that their dogs have successfully lost weight after switching to this formula.

This positive feedback aligns with the ingredient list. The use of deboned chicken as the primary ingredient ensures a flavorful and protein-rich meal for dogs. The inclusion of whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley adds fiber and complex carbohydrates, which helps dogs feel satisfied without consuming excess calories. This combination makes Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe an excellent choice for weight management and overall well-being.

Negative Feedback: Some Dogs Reject It

While the majority of feedback for Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe is positive, there were a few reports of dogs refusing to eat this particular formula. Some customers even had concerns about their dog’s health until they switched to a different brand and noticed their dog eagerly eating again.

It is important to note that dogs have unique taste preferences, and what works for one dog may not work for another. While this formula has received positive feedback from many dogs, some may not appreciate its taste or texture. If your dog is picky, it might be wise to consider their preferences before committing to this specific recipe.

The Price Factor

Several reviews mentioned that Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe is reasonably priced for the quality it offers. While it may be slightly more expensive than lower-quality dog foods, it is still more affordable than some other premium options. This indicates that customers perceive the value in this product, as it provides high-quality nutrition without straining the budget.

Conclusion

Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food is a well-balanced and nutritious option for dogs. The use of deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, and barley ensures a protein-rich and fiber-packed meal for dogs. The positive feedback from customers highlights that many dogs enjoy the taste and have successfully shed extra weight while eating this formula. The inclusion of whole grains contributes to a feeling of satiety and supports digestive health.

However, it’s important to consider that some dogs may not appreciate the flavor or texture of this particular recipe. Taste preferences vary among dogs, so it’s advisable to gauge your dog’s reaction before committing to a larger quantity.

Overall, Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food provides a quality option for weight management and overall well-being. By maintaining a healthy weight, dogs can experience enhanced energy levels, improved coat condition, and better overall health, potentially leading to a longer and happier life.

Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Turkey Meal, Miscanthus Grass, Quinoa, Natural Flavor, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt*, Apples, Carrots, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, 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, L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Niacin, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), 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 Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

According to the guaranteed analysis, Merrick Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food has 26% protein, 9% fat, 10% fiber, and 11% moisture. Assuming there is 6% ash, then this dog food has 38% 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 Healthy Grains Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food as 38%. 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 Healthy Grains kibble has less starch ratio than the average.

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