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Merrick Lil' Plates Petite Pates Premium Grain-Free Beef Dinner Wet Dog Food, 3-oz can, case of 24
Merrick

Lil' Plates Petite Pates Premium Grain-Free Beef Dinner Wet Dog Food, 3-oz can, case of 24

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $9.72/lb

Merrick Lil' Plates Petite Pates Premium Grain-Free Beef Dinner Wet Dog Food, 3-oz can, case of 24 earns a Sniff Score of 56/100 (C) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Primary concern: contains guar gum. emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. minor penalty in canned food...

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

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

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 41% ⓘ
Protein
9%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
2%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
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 41%, 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
    beef broth

    Real broth. Adds flavor and moisture, signals the recipe leans on real meat.

  3. 3
    beef hearts
  4. 4
    beef liver

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

  5. 5
    dried egg product

    Whole eggs with the water removed. Same nutritional value as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

  6. 6
    green beans

    Real vegetable. Fiber and a small amount of vitamins. Often used in weight-management formulas because it bulks up a meal without adding calories.

  7. 7
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  8. 8
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  9. 9
    potassium chloride

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

  10. 10
    magnesium proteinate

    Magnesium bound to protein for better absorption. The premium chelated form.

  11. 11
    zinc sulfate

    Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.

  12. 12
    ferrous sulfate

    Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.

  13. 13
    manganese sulfate

    Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.

  14. 14
    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

  15. 15
    potassium iodide

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

  16. 16
    flaxseed oil
  17. 17
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet.

  18. 18
    cinnamon
  19. 19
    cumin
  20. 20
    calcium carbonate

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

  21. 21
    salt. c287024

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