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Merrick Fresh Selects Frozen Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food, 18-oz pouch, 7 count
Merrick

Fresh Selects Frozen Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food, 18-oz pouch, 7 count

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $9.32/lb

Merrick Fresh Selects Frozen Beef & Brown Rice Dog Food, 18-oz pouch, 7 count earns a Sniff Score of 55/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Primary concern: no declared omega-3 source. fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.

ACF

Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.

MNI

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 26% ⓘ
Protein
6.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
75%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 26%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

21 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  2. 2
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  3. 3
    brown rice

    Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.

  4. 4
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  5. 5
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  6. 6
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

  7. 7
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  8. 8
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  9. 9
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  10. 10
    sodium chloride

    Same as salt. Required mineral, necessary at small doses.

  11. 11
    magnesium amino acid chelate
  12. 12
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  13. 13
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  14. 14
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  15. 15
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  16. 16
    manganese amino acid chelate

    Manganese bound to amino acids for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  17. 17
    selenium yeast

    Organic selenium grown in yeast. The form premium brands use, gentler and more bioavailable than sodium selenite.

  18. 18
    potassium iodide

    Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  19. 19
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  20. 20
    l-tryptophan

    Essential amino acid. Sometimes added in calming or weight-management formulas.

  21. 21
    l-methionine

19 of 21 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.