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Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher on KibbleLab, 8.3 to 8.2. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.

Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food compared

Nutrients:
As Fed
Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food
Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 26, 2026

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 24, 2026

KibbleLab score The KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science.
8.3 / 10 8.2 / 10
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
Protein Guaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed.
23.00% 21.00%
Fat 12.00% 14.00%
Fiber 3.50% 4.50%
Calcium 0.90% Not listed
Phosphorus 0.70% Not listed
Omega-3 0.40% 0.60%
Omega-6 2.00% 2.90%
Taurine 0.10% 0.17%
Moisture Higher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above.
10.00% 11.00%
Calories 3586 kcal/kg 3806 kcal/kg
Calorie density Moderate Moderate
Ingredients
Full ingredient list Every ingredient on each label, in order of weight.
Chicken Meal (Source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Brewers Rice, Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavors, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid), Yeast Culture, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, L-Carnitine, Inulin, Choline Chloride, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein, Dried Carrots, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Spinach, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Rosemary Extract. Show full list
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oat meal, barley, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, potato protein, flaxseed, natural flavor, miscanthus grass, dried yeast, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, MINERALS [zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, sodium selenite, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, calcium iodate], DL-Methionine, sunflower oil, taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Vitamin A supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin D-3 supplement], preserved with mixed tocopherols. C286324 Show full list
Limited ingredient No Yes
Health focus Immune support, Joint care, Weight management, Skin coat health, Digestive health, Sensitive stomach, Probiotic support, Heart care Skin coat health, Joint care, Sensitive stomach, Allergy support
Format & suitability
Food type Dry Dry
Texture Kibble Kibble
Processing Not listed Not listed
Life stage Adult Adult
Breed size Large All Breed Sizes
AAFCO nutritional adequacy
Complete & balanced Whether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test.
Yes Not indicated
Life stages Adult Maintenance Not listed
Substantiation How adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile.
Formulation Not listed
Maker standards
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No No
Recalls & where to buy
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy
Amazon Chewy
Amazon

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Shared ingredients

Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.

  • Chicken
  • Brown Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Barley
  • Chicken Fat
  • Natural Flavor

Not sure which is right for your pet?

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Common Questions

Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?

Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher, 8.3 to 8.2 out of 10. Scores reflect published veterinary science.

Do these two foods share ingredients?

Yes. They share these top ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor.

Are both foods AAFCO complete and balanced?

Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food is labeled complete and balanced; Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food does not list an AAFCO status.

See the full profiles: Black Gold Pet Explorer Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food .

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either product. A food's guaranteed analysis gives legal minimums and maximums for a few nutrients, not measured values. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Product details are compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest formulation. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us.