Skip to main content
Sniff
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food, 12.7-oz can, case of 12
Merrick

Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food, 12.7-oz can, case of 12

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $4.77/lb

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food, 12.7-oz can, case of 12 earns a Sniff Score of 48/100 (C) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient 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

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

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

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

FQI

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

CIP

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 36% ⓘ
Protein
8%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.4%
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 36%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

20 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

  2. 2
    turkey broth

    Real broth from named meat. Adds flavor and moisture, signals a recipe that leans on real meat.

  3. 3
    turkey liver

    Organ meat. Same nutrient-density story as chicken or beef liver: protein, iron, B vitamins, vitamin A.

  4. 4
    brown rice

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

  5. 5
    oatmeal

    Gentle on the stomach. Slow-release carbs and soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

  6. 6
    natural flavor

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

  7. 7
    tricalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.

  8. 8
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  9. 9
    locust bean gum

    Thickener from carob seed. Generally well-tolerated. Less controversial than carrageenan or guar gum.

  10. 10
    potassium chloride

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

  11. 11
    guar gum

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

  12. 12
    sodium tripolyphosphate

    Preservative and texture agent in wet food. Functional at small doses, not a major concern, but some brands avoid it.

  13. 13
    choline chloride

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

  14. 14
    calcium carbonate

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

  15. 15
    zinc sulfate

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

  16. 16
    ferrous sulfate

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

  17. 17
    copper sulfate

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

  18. 18
    manganese sulfate

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

  19. 19
    potassium iodide

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

  20. 20
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

20 of 20 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.